Things to do in Yala

Wild Coast Tented Lodge

A nature lover’s paradise, Yala offers exceptional wilderness experiences, allowing guests to immerse themselves in some of the richest biodiversity in Sri Lanka. Yala is home to 215 bird species, including endemic species and 44 mammalian species, which includes the Sri Lankan leopard. The diversity makes great wildlife viewing where no two game drives are ever the same.

Our Lodge offers game drives with expert naturalist guides who are on hand to talk guests through the incredible diversity of flora and fauna, including elephants, sloth bears and leopards. This culturally rich land also a site of cultural and religious significance, you can spot ruins of civilisations past and ancient jungle monasteries, archaeological sites and places of worship.

Explore Kataragama

Kataragama is one of the few religious sites in Sri Lanka that is venerated by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and the Veddas (indigenous group of people of Sri Lanka). It is a temple complex dedicated to the Buddhist guardian deity ‘Kataragama deviyo’ and Hindu War God Kathirkamam.

Explore

Bundala National Park

Spend a morning in the company of one of our rangers (a birding specialist) in a privately guided bird-watching experience in Sri Lanka's foremost national park for bird watching. Bundala National Park's wetland and saltern habitat attracts an extensive collection of resident and migrant birds every winter, from waders to raptors and is home to nearly 200 bird species. Sightings of other key species such as elephants, crocodiles, wild boar, buffalo, spotted deer, and terrestrial birds can be expected.

Explore

Explore Sithulpawwa

Sithulpawwa is an ancient Buddhist monastery, believed to date back to 2nd century BC. The monastery straddles a collection of rocky outcrops and caves deep in the heart of Yala National Park. There are said to be hundreds of caves and shelters within and around the complex, that have housed monks (for centuries) who came to the site to further their education as well as to meditate.

Explore

Game Drives at Yala National Park

Surrounding our Lodge is a portfolio of habitats ranging from shrub jungle, plains, wetlands and riverine forests that offer a rich array of biodiversity as well as ecological and geological variations. Explore this wilderness with our Safari game drives, guided by our passionate ranger team or join a guided bush walk which is a Wild Coast Tented Lodge signature experience.

Explore