Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Yala National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the country that is highly known for the leopards. Located deep south of Sri Lanka in the Hambantota district, the park is home to many endemic species of flora and fauna. The rocky outcrops scattered over the park provides vantage points to enjoy the sprawling areas with Sri Lanka’s dry zone landscape. The brackish lagoons and sand dunes provide some distinctive character to the park. Yala National Park is also known as Ruhunu National Park and the main entrance is at the Palatupana where the Treehouse Glamping by Glamp Collection is located. 

Entrances to the park

Yala National Park has three entrances that includes the Katharagama Entrance, Palatupana Entrance and the Galge Entrance. Katharagama Entrance and Palatupana entrances cover the block 1 of Yala National Park whereas the Galge entrance covers the block 3 & 5. Black 4 is a strict natural reserve and the block 2 is an adventurous drive which cannot be accessed by the normal safari jeeps. The Glamp Collection Team in Yala operates the Jeep Safaris from all these three entrances based on the request of the guests. 

Wildlife of Yala National Park 

Yala National Park is home to the highest density of leopards in the world. The black panther is also one of the rare animals that could be found in Yala National Park if you are really lucky. The birdlife in the park is one of another highlights that gives the opportunity to explore some wonderful birds. Yala National Park is rich in birdlife and around 130 species have been recorded. Raptors include crested serpent eagle and white bellied sea eagle. Among the water birds attracted to the lagoons are Lesser Flamingo, Pelicon, Spoonbill, painted stork, rare black necked Stork, grey heron, purple heron, night heron and Darter. Notable reptiles are Mugger Crocodile, which is abundant in the abandoned tanks, Estuarine Crocodile, found in the main rivers, and Common monitor. Other reptiles include Cobra and Russel’s Viper. A variety of Sea Turtle, Olive Ridley and Leatherback can be found in the national park. A total of 32 species of mammals have been recorded in the national park and that includes the most threatened species like sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), elephant (Elephas maximus), water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), Wild boar (Sus scrofa), spotted deer (Axis axis ceylonessis), sambar (Cervus unicolor) and golden jackal (Canis aureus). The latest addition to this is the black panther. Crocodiles, lovely fantailed peacocks, monkeys, elephants, deer, wild boar, jungle fowl, and sloth bear are some of the animals that can be seen in this dry zone national park during a safari with the Team Glamp Collection. 

Safari at Yala National Park 

Yala National Park has a day schedule that should be known by the tourists before bookings the safaris. The park opens for the tourists at 6:00am in the morning and closes at 6:00pm. All vehicles that are inside the park in between 12:00pm to 2.00pm will be sent to one location and stop vehicle movements to give the time for the animals to fulfill their thirsty needs. Half day safari is a 3 hours game drive inside the park that can be done either early in the morning at 6:00am or late afternoon at 3:00pm to explore more animals during the safari. The full day Safari with lunch included will give you 10 hours opportunity to explore the wildlife with two hours lunch break from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. The Team Glamp Collection arrange all these tours very professionally including pick up and drop off from the hotels free of charge. Our Safaris include entry fees, jeep fees, trekker fee, snack and water during the safaris. 

Other Safaris from Yala  

In addition to the Yala National Park, we operate other safaris at Bundala National Park which is very famous for birds and Udawalawe National Park which is known for Elephants. When you stay more than one night at Yala, Tissamaharama or Katharanagama, you have the opportunity to experience one of these safaris to have different types of safari experiences during your Yala stay. 

Other Experiences in Yala 

There are many cultural attractions including historical temples like Tissamaharamaya, Deberawewa, Situlpawwa, Kataragama and Kirinda that are located within short distance from each other. The Curd making experiences, Chena farming experiences and other community-based tourism experiences can add more value to your stay at Yala. The lakes and small little villages provide different opportunities for cycling, boating and fishing experiences. Glamp Collection Team operates many experiences for the tourists who are staying in Yala, Tissamaharama and Katharagama. Our outdoor dining experiences are not only for the inhouse guests. We operate jungle BBQ dinners, Beach BBR dinners, Lake dining experiences, Wine on the rock experiences and many unique dining experiences in the wild. 

Treehouse Glamping Yala by Glamp Collection 

Treehouse Glamping in Yala is something that the most of the tourists would love to do as they can stay in the jungle and experience some thrilling wildlife activities, safaris, jungle dining experiences and many more. Leopard Nest is one of the most famous places for treehouse glamping in Yala. Situated in the buffer zone near the main entrance of Yala National Park which is located in Palatupana, Leopard Nest has all the facilities that a glamping site should have to make a more comfortable and memorable stay in the wild. This is one of the properties owned by the Glamp Collection in Sri Lanka.

The staff are always friendly and go out of their way to help the guests to have a memorable stay at the leopard nest. The safari drivers and trackers are also very friendly and professional. Jungle BBQ diners, lake side breakfast, Jungle wine experiences, Wine and Dine on the rock, Beach BBQ experiences, Chena Farm visits, village expeditions, cycling experiences, fishing experiences are some of the many experiences you can do during your long stay at Leopard Nest other than the safaris to Yala National Park, Bundala National Park and nature trails in the buffer zone. 

In addition to the treehouse, Leopard Nest has got jungle cabins and tents to give adventurous and yet a comfortable stays in the jungles of Yala National Park. The unique design and the ecofriendly concept have been the key highlights of this wonderful treehouse glamping site.