Yala

Yala National Park is situated in the kingdom of Ruhuna which had an advanced civilization by evidence of the remains of dagabas and reservoirs built to irrigate large extents of cultivable land.

Being located in one of the dry regions of Sri Lanka, the climate of the National Park is usually hot and dry. The area receives its annual rainfall during the north east monsoon from November to January, and unpredictable inter-monsoonal rains in March/April and September. In 1938, Yala Game Sanctuary was declared as a National Park, only with block I and other blocks were included later. it Varies from open parkland to dense jungle on the plains. The scrub land is particularly distinctive with its enormous rocky outcrops, or inselbergs. There are also several streams, small lakes & brackish lagoons. The ocean to the east has wide beaches & high sand dunes. The varied terrain supports an extraordinary range of wildlife & vegetation.

The park's dry-zone landscape is strikingly beautiful, especially when viewed from the vantage points offered by the curious rock outcrops which dot the park. From these you can look out over a seemingly endless expanse of low scrub & trees dotted with lakes next to the dune - covered coast line, particularly magical from Situlpahuwa monastic settlement at Yala's northern end. In the southeast, the Park is bounded by the sea. Unspoilt natural beaches and sand dunes provide a beautiful environment. This is surely one of the most spectacular seascapes of Sri Lanka. Far out at sea are two lighthouses which are named as the great and little basses. The extensive parklands that surround the lagoons offer visitors superb locations for viewing animals and bird life....

The best period to see the animals is during the January to May dry season, when animals cluster around water sources in multi-species groups. Dawn & dusk are the best times of day to witness animals......