How We Operate

Sustainability.
Conservation. Community.

Understanding the environment is a core value of the camp, and every choice we make is a considerate one for our surroundings.

Our Business Model

We don't just do jeep tours
across the jungle in a speeding jeep.

We do it in style and make sure not to harm the environment and its inhabitants from the tiniest insect to the most majestic beast. The rangers who work for us are embedded with knowledge and training that they must at all times preserve the environment and reduce the carbon footprint. We are a small operation but we are proud of how we operate.

Community-based tourism at Camp Leopard Yala
01
Local Employment — First, Always
Every ranger, tracker, cook, camp hand, and host is recruited from the villages adjacent to Yala. We pay above industry average, provide ongoing skills training, and create permanent year-round positions — not seasonal contracts.
02
Local Food Sourcing — Every Ingredient
Every ingredient on your plate comes from farms and suppliers within the surrounding villages. Morning hoppers, campfire dinners, fresh juice — nothing imported that can be grown locally.
03
Local Jeeps & Safari Vehicles
All safari jeeps are sourced from local community vendors. We do not own a fleet. When a guest goes on safari, the vehicle belongs to a local family who depends on that income.
04
Local Services Across the Operation
Maintenance, laundry, transfers, medical support — all contracted through local operators. The supply chain does not extend beyond the villages of the Kataragama area.
05
Community Programmes & Outreach
A portion of revenue funds the stray dog care programme, educational outreach for young naturalists, and direct support for families affected by wildlife-human conflict.
06
Tree Planting at Every Stay
Guests can plant a tree at the end of their stay as a direct conservation contribution. Trees are planted in collaboration with local reforestation efforts in the buffer zone.

No permanent barriers.
The wildlife comes first.

Camp Leopard is bordered by Kataragama wildlife sanctuary, yet we decided not to put any permanent barriers up — we don't want to disturb the wildlife. We look after our trees, keep wet zone plants potted to stop them becoming invasive. Our lights go off at 10:30pm every night. Canvas tents over concrete walls. Eco-friendly materials. Food from local families. No single-use plastic.

Ethical wildlife tracking at Yala National Park
Safari Ethics

How we behave
in the wild.

Our safaris follow a strict ethical code. We do not bait, chase, crowd, or disturb. Every drive is guided by trackers who read the bush — not by GPS pins shared on WhatsApp groups. The experience is slower, quieter, and incomparably more real.

🐆
We Track, We Don't Chase
Our rangers locate animals through environmental reading — ground tracks, scent marking, prey behaviour, bird alarm calls. We never rush multiple vehicles to a sighting. We approach quietly, cut the engine, and observe.
📖
Individual Leopard Identification
Camp Leopard maintains a leopard identification catalogue. Each animal has a name, a territory map, and a history. You leave knowing who you met — not just "a leopard".
🐕
Stray Dog Rescue & Pet Friendly
Several rescued strays live permanently at camp. Camp Leopard is fully pet friendly — guests travelling with dogs are welcome. We believe coexistence with domestic animals is as important as coexistence with wild ones.
🤝
Wildlife-Human Conflict Support
Elephants raid crops. Leopards take livestock. Camp Leopard contributes to non-lethal conflict mitigation and supports affected families through our community fund.
📚
Education on Every Drive
Every safari includes a briefing on wildlife behaviour, conservation status, and ecological relationships. Children get a junior ranger experience — tracking exercises and animal identification.
🛡️
Active Anti-Poaching Support
Our ranger network monitors poaching activity across four blocks and reports directly to the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The health of Yala's leopard population is what makes our business possible.
The Four-Legged Team

Sri Lanka's only pet-friendly safari camp. Five rescue dogs who survived the wild and found a family. Every booking supports their ongoing care.

Meet Our Dogs
Want to know more about how we distribute revenue?

Marc is happy to walk you through the model in detail — on WhatsApp or in person at camp.

WhatsApp Marc →