Full day
Sigiriya & Dambulla Day Tour
Climb the Lion Rock early, then see the painted caves of Dambulla.
- Sigiriya Lion Rock climb
- Dambulla Cave Temple
- Village lunch
From, per vehicleUS$45
View tour
Private day tour
Yala Safari Tour & Transfer
Track leopards, elephants and sloth bears on a morning jeep safari in Yala National Park. Join from the south coast or Ella, or make it a transfer and continue to your next hotel with your luggage.
- DurationAbout 5 hours in the park
- PickupFrom 05:15
- Pickup fromTissamaharama or Yala, Mirissa, Weligama or Tangalle, Ella
- Best timeFebruary to July
Highlights
- Morning jeep safari, when leopards and sloth bears are most active
- Private jeep with an experienced tracker driver
- Turn it into a transfer and continue to Ella or the beach with your luggage
- Back in time for a relaxed afternoon
Your day
Pickup from your hotel
Early start from the south coast or Ella. From Tissamaharama we collect you at 05:15.
Into Yala National Park
Your jeep and tracker driver meet you at the gate as it opens.
Morning safari
Search for leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, water buffalo and peacocks over about five hours.
Brunch in Tissamaharama
A late breakfast after the park.
Drive on
Back to your hotel, or on to Ella, Nuwara Eliya or the south coast with your luggage.
Arrive
Arrival time depends on where you're heading.
Good to know: Yala's main block usually closes for a few weeks between September and October. If it's closed on your date, we'll take you to Udawalawe or Bundala instead.
Prices
| Pickup from | Car · 1–3 | SUV · 1–4 | Van · 1–6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tissamaharama or Yala hotelPickup around 05:15, back around 11:30 | US$80 | US$95 | US$105 |
| Mirissa, Weligama or Tangalle hotelPickup around 03:30, back around 14:00 | US$175 | US$210 | US$230 |
| Ella hotelPickup around 03:30, back around 14:30 | US$180 | US$215 | US$235 |
| Safari transfer: Ella to the south coast via Yala (or the reverse)Pickup around 03:30, back around 15:00 | US$205 | US$245 | US$265 |
Prices in US dollars for the whole vehicle, not per person. Guests per vehicle shown in each column.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private vehicle and chauffeur
- Safari jeep with tracker driver for the morning
- Fuel, highway tolls and parking
- Bottled water
Not included
- Yala park entrance tickets, paid per person at the gate
- Brunch and drinks
- Tips for your driver and tracker
Before you go
- Bring binoculars, a hat and a light jacket for the cool early morning.
- Leopard sightings are common but never guaranteed. These are wild animals.
- Stay seated and keep your voice low near animals. Your tracker will tell you when it's safe to stand.
- A camera with a zoom lens makes a big difference.
Questions
Will we see a leopard?
Yala has one of the highest densities of leopards anywhere, so sightings are common, but they're wild animals and never guaranteed.
Can children come?
Yes, children are welcome. The start is early, so many families nap in the car on the way.
How many people fit in a jeep?
Up to 6 guests per jeep. For bigger groups we book a second jeep and quote the difference.
More private day tours
All tours
Full day
Kandy Cultural Tour
The Temple of the Tooth, royal gardens, tea tasting and Kandyan dance.
- Temple of the Tooth
- Royal Botanic Gardens
- Tea factory tasting
From, per vehicleUS$45
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Full day
Galle Fort & South Coast Tour
Galle Fort's ramparts, a river safari, a beach swim and stilt fishermen.
- Galle Fort walk
- Madu River boat ride
- Beach and sunset
From, per vehicleUS$50
View tour
Need a ride from the airport too? Book an airport transfer from US$25.