Yala National Park Reopens in October

Due to the ongoing drought that has affected many parts of Sri Lanka and the need for site maintenance, the famous Yala National Park was closed during the month of September and was reopened again in October. Another reason for the closure was that it would give time for the natural ecosystem to restore itself.

Amongst the highest revenue earners for the Sri Lanka Wildlife Department, the Yala National Park is one of the leading parks in the world to view and photograph leopards. Home to the endemic Sri Lankan leopard, Yala was made a National Park in 1938 and became a protected sanctuary for not just leopards but a wide range of other species too including the Sri Lankan elephant, sloth bears, toque macaques, wild buffalos, spotted deer and crocodiles. It is also inhabited by a large number of bird species such as the endemic Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka grey hornbill & Sri Lanka wood-pigeon. While there are many things to do in Yala, travellers planning to head to head after its re-opening can consider basing themselves atSaraii Village Sri Lanka, which offers excursions to the park.