Yala & Tissamaharama

The gateway to Yala National Park, which has the world's highest density of leopards, with jeep safaris to see leopards, elephants and crocodiles, plus the sacred city of Kataragama and the ancient Ruhuna stupas.

Yala & Tissamaharama lie in southeastern Sri Lanka, on the border of Hambantota and Monaragala districts, and are the island's main base for wildlife viewing. The town of Tissamaharama (Tissa for short) was once the capital of the ancient Ruhuna kingdom, and has the 2,000-year-old Tissa Lake and a large white stupa. About 20 km to the southeast is the entrance to Yala National Park, one of the areas with the highest leopard density in the world. The climate is tropical dry zone and hot all year: in the dry season (Feb–Jul), animals gather near water sources, which makes it the best time for safaris; Yala Block 1 usually closes for about a month in Sep–Oct; and the northeast monsoon (Nov–Jan) brings showers, but also the most migratory birds. Your visit can be divided into three parts: first, jeep safaris in Yala and the neighboring Bundala, Lunugamvehera and Udawalawe National Parks; second, the multi-faith sacred city of Kataragama and Buddhist sites such as Kiri Vehera and Situlpawwa; and third, coastal sights such as Kirinda and Ussangoda. Getting there: from Colombo via the Southern Expressway to Tissa takes about 4–5 hours, from Galle or Mirissa about 2.5–3 hours, and from Ella about 2.5 hours. The town has plenty of accommodation, and there are also tented camps beside the park. We suggest staying 2–3 days, with at least one early-morning safari in Yala. Use sun and mosquito protection, do not walk in the wild at night, and watch for wild elephants on the roads.

Top sights

• Yala National Park – The national park in Sri Lanka with the best chances of spotting leopards. Morning or evening jeep safaris may reveal leopards, elephants…
• Kataragama Temple (Ruhunu Maha Devalaya) – A holy city venerated by Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims alike. Every evening, the puja ceremonies are accompanied by drums and music, creati…
• Udawalawe National Park – A national park famous for wild elephants. Herds of dozens often gather in the open grasslands and by the reservoir, so your chances of see…
• Tissa Wewa – An ancient reservoir built in the 3rd century BCE, where flocks of fruit bats hang from the lakeside trees and water birds return to roost…
• Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara – A royal monastery of the ancient Kingdom of Ruhuna, where a white great dagoba rises about 56 metres; together with nearby Sandagiri and Ya…
• Yatala Vehera – An ancient stupa on the edge of Tissamaharama, surrounded by a wall of relief elephant heads and a moat, with a small archaeological museum…
• Kiri Vehera – A milk-white ancient stupa at the northern end of the sacred city of Kataragama, believed to be where the Buddha once sat in meditation; on…
• Sella Kataragama – A cluster of small riverside shrines about 5 km northwest of Kataragama, dedicated to the elephant-headed god and the Buddha; it is linked…
• Bundala National Park – A Ramsar wetland and biosphere reserve where over a hundred bird species, including flamingos and pelicans, can be seen among lagoons and s…
• Kirinda Temple – A temple on a seaside boulder in this fishing village, with a statue of Queen Viharamahadevi and views over the Indian Ocean and the fishin…
• Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya – A 2,000-year-old temple inside Yala National Park, with a white stupa on a rocky hilltop surrounded by jungle. Ten thousand monks once prac…
• Elephant Transit Home, Udawalawe – An orphaned elephant rescue center run by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, with scheduled feeding times. The calves are released in…
• Lunugamvehera National Park – An elephant corridor linking Yala and Udawalawe, with wide reservoir views and few visitors. Herds of elephants and water buffalo can be se…
• Ussangoda National Park – A strange grassland on a red earth plateau by the sea, linked to the monkey god Hanuman from the Ramayana. A blue bay lies below the cliffs.
• Ridiyagama Safari Park – Sri Lanka's first open-range safari park. Visitors ride a park bus past lion, tiger, zebra and elephant areas, which suits families.
• Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara – Multiple tiers of cave temples on an isolated rock about 205 meters high, known as 'Little Sigiriya.' The reclining Buddha and murals insid…

Where to eat

• Smoky Kitchen – The highest-rated restaurant in Tissamaharama. Its open kitchen cooks rice and curry over wood fire for a buffet, and i…
• Chef Lady Restaurant – A small restaurant founded in 2018 by female chef Sujee. Known for seafood and curries, with generous portions. Cards a…
• The Flavors Restaurant – A budget roadside restaurant on the Kataragama road, with consistently good reviews for chili prawns, fried noodles and…

Itineraries

• Sri Lanka Classic Loop – From ancient cities, the Temple of the Tooth, and tea country to Yala and the southern coast, cover the island's top hi…
• Island-Wide National Park Wildlife Safari – A wildlife-focused route linking Wilpattu, Minneriya, Sinharaja, Yala, and Mirissa.