Yala safari price: US$26 per person shared. US$60 for a private jeep.
Two numbers matter in Yala: what the safari costs, and what the park charges to let you in. We publish both, separately.
- US$26 per person
- US$65 per person
- US$60 (up to 6)
- US$140 (up to 6)
Price list
Every safari, every option.
Shared safaris and shore excursions are priced per person. Private jeeps are one price for the whole jeep, up to six people. The private jeep with entrance tickets is priced by group size, 2 to 6 people, with the Yala tickets included.
| Safari | Option | Start | Price | Park entrance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yala shared jeep safari | 4 hours | 5:00 AM / 2:00 PM | US$26 per person | Paid on site |
| Yala shared jeep safari | 7 hours | 5:00 AM | US$40 per person | Paid on site |
| Yala shared jeep safari | Full day | 5:00 AM | US$65 per person | Paid on site |
| Yala private jeep safari | 4 hours | 5:00 AM / 2:00 PM | US$60 per jeep | Paid on site |
| Yala private jeep safari | 7 hours | 5:00 AM | US$86 per jeep | Paid on site |
| Yala private jeep safari | Full day | 5:00 AM | US$140 per jeep | Paid on site |
| Yala private jeep safari with entrance tickets | 4 hours | 5:00 AM / 2:00 PM | US$140-262 per jeep, 2-6 people | Included |
| Yala private jeep safari with entrance tickets | 7 hours | 5:00 AM | US$145-265 per jeep, 2-6 people | Included |
| Yala private jeep safari with entrance tickets | Full day | 5:00 AM | US$210-330 per jeep, 2-6 people | Included |
| Yala Block 5 & 6 private jeep safari | 4 hours | 5:00 AM / 2:00 PM | US$60 per jeep | Paid on site |
| Yala Block 5 & 6 private jeep safari | 7 hours | 5:00 AM | US$86 per jeep | Paid on site |
| Yala Block 5 & 6 private jeep safari | Full day | 5:00 AM | US$140 per jeep | Paid on site |
| Bundala private jeep safari | 4 hours | 5:00 AM / 2:00 PM | US$60 per jeep | Paid on site |
| Bundala private jeep safari | 7 hours | 5:00 AM | US$86 per jeep | Paid on site |
| Bundala private jeep safari | Full day | 5:00 AM | US$140 per jeep | Paid on site |
| Udawalawe + Elephant Transit Home from Hambantota Port | About 6 hours | 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM | US$80 per person | Included |
| Yala safari from Hambantota Port | Port to port, back in time for your cruise | 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM | US$70 per person | Included |
Shared or private?
From three people, a private jeep costs less.
Two people pay US$52 on a shared 4-hour safari, against US$60 for a private jeep. Three people pay US$78 shared - so the whole jeep becomes the cheaper choice.
| People | 4 hours: shared / private | 7 hours: shared / private | Full day: shared / private |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | US$52 / US$60 | US$80 / US$86 | US$130 / US$140 |
| 3 | US$78 / US$60 | US$120 / US$86 | US$195 / US$140 |
| 4 | US$104 / US$60 | US$160 / US$86 | US$260 / US$140 |
| 5 | US$130 / US$60 | US$200 / US$86 | US$325 / US$140 |
| 6 | US$156 / US$60 | US$240 / US$86 | US$390 / US$140 |
The other number
The park entrance fee.
Set by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, not by us, and paid on site unless your tour includes it. In Yala it is roughly LKR 14,000 - about US$43 - per foreign adult, and it changes without notice. Bring your passport: it is needed when the tickets are bought.
Questions
About money.
01How much does a Yala safari cost?
A shared jeep safari in Yala costs US$26 per person for 4 hours, US$40 for 7 hours and US$65 for a full day. A private jeep for up to 6 people costs US$60 for 4 hours, US$86 for 7 hours and US$140 for a full day. Park entrance is paid on site.
02Half-day or full-day Yala safari - which is better?
A half-day (4-hour) safari suits most first visits: it covers the early morning or late afternoon, when animals are most active, from US$26 per person shared or US$60 for a private jeep. A full day gives you more time to cover the park and wait at sightings, for US$65 per person shared or US$140 per private jeep.
03Are park tickets included in the price?
No, not on the Yala, Yala Block 5 & 6 and Bundala jeep safaris: park entrance fees are paid on site, about US$43 per foreign adult in Yala. On the Yala tours you can pre-pay the tickets when you book (US$43 per adult, US$22 per child) and we buy them at the gate. The Yala private jeep safari with entrance tickets (from US$140 for 2 people, 4 hours) and the two shore excursions from Hambantota Port do include the park entrance.
04Private or shared jeep - which is cheaper?
For three or more travellers a private jeep is cheaper: US$60 for the whole jeep against US$78 for three people on a shared 4-hour safari. For two people sharing is cheaper, at US$52 against US$60.
05How do I pay?
You can pay online by PayPal or card when you book, or by bank transfer once we have confirmed your booking. If we cannot run your date, an online payment is refunded in full. The park entrance fee is paid separately, and we will tell you the current amount when we confirm.
06What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel 24 hours or more before the start time and you get a full refund; inside 24 hours there is no refund. If a safari has to be cancelled for bad weather, you choose between a new date and a full refund.
07Do you run shore excursions from Hambantota Port?
Yes. We run two shared shore excursions from Hambantota Port: Yala National Park at US$70 per person with the Yala entrance ticket included, and Udawalawe with the Elephant Transit Home at US$80 per person with the safari jeep and entrance fee included. Pickup and drop-off are at Hambantota Port or Shangri-La Hambantota.
08How do I book a safari?
Tap Book now, choose your safari, date, start time and guests, then add your details at checkout. You can pay straight away by PayPal or card, or send the booking on WhatsApp or by email and pay by bank transfer once we confirm.