Yala Safari & Ella Day Trip from Galle: Private Jeep Tour

One day, two regions: wildlife and highlands without splitting the trip.

A full-day private tour from Galle that pairs Yala National Park's wildlife safari with sightseeing in the Central Highlands (Rawana Waterfall, Little Adams Peak and the Nine Arch Bridge) in a single itinerary. Private return transport, an experienced driver, safari jeep, all entry fees and lunch are included. Pickup and drop-off serve Galle and nearby towns across the south coast. The 13 to 16-hour day combines two distinct landscapes without requiring separate bookings or transport changes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Yala Safari and Ella Sightseeing

• Visit Rawana Waterfall
• Hike Little Adam's Peak
• See Nine Arch Bridge
• Enjoy lunch
• Go on Yala Wild Safari

The experience

The route works because it chains two experiences that would normally demand separate trips. You start with a pickup from Galle or another coastal town, then drive inland to the Central Highlands where the Rawana Waterfall cascades nearly 100 feet down a rock face. From there, a relatively easy hike up Little Adams Peak opens views across tea plantations and surrounding mountains. The Nine Arch Bridge (built in 1921 entirely from brick, rock and cement, without a single piece of steel) sits at 3,100 meters above sea level and spans the gap between two railway stations. You walk it and see the viaduct's construction up close.

Lunch breaks the day in the middle. After eating, the route turns south toward Yala National Park, where you board a private safari jeep for the wildlife portion. The park is home to leopards, elephants, sloth bears and diverse bird species. The jeep takes you deep into the reserve for close-up sightings rather than roadside viewing. An experienced guide leads the safari, so the animals you encounter come with context (behavior, habitat, seasonal patterns) rather than just a sighting.

The full package includes private return transport with your driver, all entry fees to the waterfall, bridge, peak and national park, the private safari jeep itself, and lunch. Pickup and drop-off happen at the same location, which can be Galle, Unawatuna, Mirissa, Matara or any of a dozen other towns along the south coast and inland areas. The day runs 13 to 16 hours depending on wildlife activity and traffic, so plan for a full commitment, but you return to your starting point without arranging anything else.

What’s included

• Private return transportation with an experienced driver.
• bottled water.
• all entry fees to Rawana Waterfall, Little Adams Peak, the Nine Arch Bridge and Yala National Park.
• a private safari jeep for the wildlife portion.
• and lunch.

Options for this experience

10 options

Starting from Ella / Wellawaya08:00Pickup and drop-off in the Ella and Wellawaya areas. Starting points: Ella, Sri Lanka; Wellawaya, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included

Starting from Yala / Tissamaharama06:00Pickup and drop-off in the Tissamaharama, Kirinda, Yala, Kataragama and Weerawila areas. Starting points: Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka; Yala National Park, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included

Starting from Bentota / Beruwala05:00Pickup and drop-off in the Bentota, Beruwala, Aluthgama and Induruwa areas. Starting points: Bentota, Sri Lanka; Beruwala, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included

See 7 more options

Starting from Ahungalla / Kosgoda05:00Pickup and drop-off in the Ahungalla, Kosgoda, Balapitiya and Ambalangoda areas. Starting points: Ahungalla, Sri Lanka; Kosgoda, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included

From Hikkaduwa/Galle/Unawatuna05:00Pickup and drop-off in the Hikkaduwa, Rathgama, Galle and Unawatuna areas. Starting points: Galle, Sri Lanka; Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka; Unawatuna, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included

From Koggala/Ahangama/Talpe05:00Pickup and drop-off in the Koggala, Ahangama, Talpe and Habaraduwa areas. Starting points: Ahangama, Sri Lanka; Koggala, Sri Lanka; Talpe, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included

Starting from Weligama / Mirissa / Matara05:00Pickup and drop-off in the Weligama, Midigama, Mirissa and Matara areas. Starting points: Matara, Sri Lanka; Mirissa, Sri Lanka; Weligama, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included

From Dickwella/Tangalle/Ranna05:00Pickup and drop-off in the Dickwella, Hiriketiya, Tangalle and Ranna areas. Starting points: Dikwella, Sri Lanka; Ranna, Sri Lanka; Tangalle, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included

Starting from Hambantota / Udawalawe06:00Pickup and drop-off in the Hambantota, Ambalantota and Udawalawe areas. Starting points: Hambantota, Sri Lanka; Udawalawa, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included

Starting from Kalutara / Wadduwa04:00Pickup and drop-off in the Kalutara, Wadduwa, Waskaduwa, Panadura and Maggona areas. Starting points: Kalutara, Sri Lanka; Wadduwa, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 04:00, 05:00, 06:00 and 08:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Bentota Travel Mart

Is this one for you?Choose your pickup location from Galle, Mirissa, Matara, Unawatuna or any of the other coastal and inland towns listed. The tour picks you up and drops you back at the same spot, so you do not need to arrange separate transport to the starting point. The full 13 to 16-hour day combines two regions in one booking, which works if you want both the highlands and the wildlife without splitting the trip across two days.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I book this tour if I'm staying in Mirissa or Matara instead of Galle?

Yes. Free pickup and drop-off are available from Mirissa, Matara, Weligama and other towns across the south coast, as well as from Galle and Unawatuna. You choose your pickup location when you book, and the driver returns you to the same spot at the end of the day.

What is the Rawana Waterfall like, and how much time do you spend there?

Rawana Waterfall is a 100-foot cascade named after Ravana, the king of Lanka in legend. The itinerary includes a stop to see it, though the exact time spent depends on the day's pacing and how many other visitors are there when you arrive.

Is the Little Adams Peak hike difficult, or can anyone do it?

Little Adams Peak is a relatively easy hike suitable for all physical fitness levels. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and tea plantations, and the tour is designed to be accessible to most travelers, including families with children.

What wildlife might I actually see on the Yala safari?

Yala National Park is home to leopards, elephants, sloth bears and many bird species. The expert-guided jeep safari takes you deep into the park for close-up wildlife sightings, though animal encounters depend on the season and time of day. There is no guarantee of seeing specific species.

Is lunch included, and what if I have dietary restrictions?

Lunch is included in the all-inclusive package. Dietary restrictions should be mentioned when you book so the operator can arrange suitable options for you.

How long is the entire day, and what time does the tour start?

The full day runs 13 to 16 hours depending on wildlife activity and traffic. Pickup time depends on which town you choose. Confirm your exact start time when you book.