The parks
Yala for leopards, Bundala for birds, Udawalawe for elephants. Same drivers, same jeeps, and on our own vehicles the same price for Yala and Bundala.
| Park | Known for | Best season | From Tissamaharama | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yala National Park | Leopards | February - July (Block 1 usually shut early Sept - mid Oct) | 20-40 minutes to the Palatupana gate | Private jeep US$68 for 4 hours |
| Bundala National Park | Waterbirds and wetlands | December - March | About 20 minutes | Private jeep US$68 for 4 hours |
| Udawalawe National Park | Elephants | All year | About 2 hours from Tissamaharama, 1.5 hours from Hambantota Port | US$110 per adult from Hambantota Port, tickets included |
In detail
Leopards
Yala National Park is Sri Lanka's best park for leopards: about 469 square miles in six blocks, of which Blocks 1, 5 and 6 are open to visitors, reached in 20-40 minutes from Tissamaharama.
Waterbirds and wetlands
Bundala National Park is a Ramsar wetland and UNESCO biosphere reserve about 20 minutes from Tissamaharama, and is Sri Lanka's best coastal park for birds, with elephants, crocodiles and no crowds.
Elephants
Udawalawe National Park is the most reliable place in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants, and we run it as a shared shore excursion from Hambantota Port at US$110 per adult with tickets included.