About Yala National Park
Click to editOne of the world's greatest wildlife sanctuaries.
Yala National Park — formally the Ruhuna National Park — is Sri Lanka's most visited and second largest national park, covering 978 km2 in the island's southeast. It holds one of the highest leopard densities in the world, alongside elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and over 200 bird species.
What most visitors don't know is that Yala is not one park — it is a complex of six interconnected blocks, each with its own character, wildlife, and entry gates. Most safari operators only access Block 1 through the main Palatupana gate. Camp Leopard accesses four blocks, giving our guests a fundamentally different experience.
The Greater Yala Complex — Block by Block
The most famous and most visited block. Home to the highest concentration of leopards. This is where most safari operators begin and end — but we access it through the less-crowded northern Katagamuwa gate, avoiding the tourist bottleneck at Palatupana. Dawn safaris here are extraordinary.
A vast, undisturbed wilderness that sees almost no tourist traffic. Accessed exclusively through the Galge gate. Perfect for guests who want a real, undisturbed safari experience away from all crowds. Elephants, bears, and birdlife dominate.
Our home territory. Block 5 borders Camp Leopard and is accessed through the Dambakote gate — a gate most tourists have never heard of. Leopard, elephant, and bear sightings are regular, and you may be the only vehicle in the entire block. This is the real Yala.
The easternmost frontier of the Greater Yala Complex. Accessed through Block 5 on extended afternoon safaris. Pristine, untouched, and teeming with wildlife. Reserved for our multi-day itineraries and serious wildlife enthusiasts.
Why Camp Leopard's Location Matters
Camp Leopard sits in the Katagamuwa buffer zone — not inside the park, but at its edge. This means we can access multiple gates (Katagamuwa, Galge, Dambakote) that other operators can't reach from their locations near Palatupana or Tissamaharama.
The result: fewer crowds, more blocks, better wildlife encounters. While other jeeps queue at the main gate, our guests are already deep inside Blocks 3 or 5, often as the only vehicle in sight.
Wildlife You'll Encounter
- Sri Lankan Leopard — Yala has one of the highest densities in the world. Our sighting rate: 99.9%.
- Asian Elephant — Herds of 30-50 are common, especially in Blocks 3 and 5.
- Sloth Bear — The most elusive of the Big Five. Best seen May-July during the berry season.
- Mugger Crocodile — Found in every waterhole and tank across all blocks.
- 200+ Bird Species — From sea eagles to painted storks. Best birding: November-April.
- Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Water Buffalo, Jackals, Mongoose — Common across all blocks.
Ready to plan your Yala experience?
Choose your nights, accommodation, safaris, and meals. We'll craft a tailor-made itinerary just for you.