Yala National Park Safari — Wild Encounters at Sri Lanka’s Rugged Edge
Best things to do in Tissamaharama: get wild at Yala National Park with this travel guide.
Why Tissa’s Yala National Park Should Be Next on Your Bucket List
The island nation of Sri Lanka, nicknamed “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” and “Teardrop of India,” is one of extraordinary proportions. It’s this small country’s natural beauty, stunning biodiversity and precious gemstones that give it such a name, along with its teardrop shape just off the coast of India.
Sri Lanka also boasts ancient ruins, beautiful beaches and incredible wildlife.
Food-wise, it’s known for production of the finest tea, cinnamon, coconut and exotic spices creating no shortage of delicious flavors.
Sri Lanka is one magical place that only requires an open heart and mind to fall in love.
Tissamaharama was once the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom of Ruhuna, a region of present-day southeastern Sri Lanka, as early as the 3rd century B.C. but today it feels quiet and relaxed, not what you’d expect from a previous capital city.
Located at the southern edge of Sri Lanka, Tissa, as it’s often called, is now home to many wildlife reserves, Buddhist monasteries, temples and stunning beaches and waterfalls.
A wildlife sanctuary designated in 1900, Yala National Park is best known for its variety of wildlife and is important to the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and aquatic birds.
Three-Week Travel Itinerary
Our three week adventure traveling through Sri Lanka began north of Colombo, its capital city, and circled the country clockwise. First up was an unforgettable experience elephant watching in Pinnawala.
The scorching heat of Sigiriya followed, where we climbed the eighth Wonder of the World (so they say) and took exciting day trips to visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and experience a magical elephant safari at Minneriya National Park.
In the weeks to come, we’d also explore giant Buddha’s, botanical gardens and fire dancing in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, known as the “City of Light” and Ella for its epic waterfalls, train rides and jungle mountains.
At last, we spent time in Tissamaharama to visit Yala National Park and finally, the beachy town of Mirissa for the nearby iconic old city of Galle, whale watching and white sandy beaches.
What’s Inside | Roadmap
01 | How to get to Tissamaharama
02 | Land in Tissa; stay at My Village Hotel Tissa
03 | Safari at Yala National Park; book your tour here
Lunch at Yala Beach
Wild out with wild boars, deer & crocodiles
04 | Unwind at your stay’s swimming pool
05 | Indulge on Sri Lankan string hoppers
Read On | Discover more of Sri Lanka here: Sri Lanka Guides
Best Things to Do in Tissamaharama
Wander the wild heart of Sri Lanka from the cool, colonial charm of Tissa to the untamed savannah of Yala National Park, where leopard sightings, elephant herds and sunset-drenched lagoons make every moment feel like a wildlife dream. Combine relaxed lakeside mornings with adrenaline-filled safaris for a journey that balances calm and adventure.
01 | How to Get to Tissamaharama from Ella
Tissa nestles just south of Ella, a gentle hill-country detour between the misty tea terraces of Nuwara Eliya and the storied hills of Kandy. Choose the way to Tissa that suits both your budget and your mood — whether you’re saving coins or savoring every minute.
Train | The train from Ella to Tissa (Tissamaharama) is an iconic, scenic option. Take the morning local or intercity train from Ella toward Matara or Colombo and disembark at the Tissamaharama junction; the journey typically takes about 2 to 2.5 hours depending on the service and stops. Cost is very affordable: a second-class reserved seat runs roughly 150–300 LKR (about $0.40–0.80 USD), while third-class unreserved is around 80–200 LKR ($0.20–0.55 USD). Expect charming views of tea country and small villages as you ride.
If you’re coming from Hambantota, train services are less direct but possible via regional connections. Travel time varies widely, commonly 2 to 3.5 hours including transfers. Costs are similar to other regional trains: 100–350 LKR ($0.30–1.00 USD) depending on class.
Bus | Direct buses connect Ella and Tissamaharama via the A2/A23 routes with one or two changes, often through Wellawaya or Hambantota depending on the schedule. Travel time averages 2.5 to 4 hours, influenced by transfers and traffic. Local fare is typically 200–400 LKR ($0.55–1.10 USD) for a regular public bus; private air-conditioned buses or tourist shuttles cost more, about 600–1200 LKR ($1.65–3.30 USD).
From Hambantota — frequent local buses run between Hambantota and Tissamaharama; the trip is short, usually 45 minutes to 1.25 hours depending on stops. Fares are very low, about 50–150 LKR ($0.15–0.40 USD) on public buses; private shuttles may cost 300–700 LKR ($0.80–1.90 USD).
Buses from Mirissa or Matara toward Tissamaharama run regularly, often with a transfer. Expect 1.5 to 3 hours of travel time depending on route and stops. Public-bus fares are low, 80–300 LKR ($0.20–0.80 USD); private tourist buses or AC services cost 500–1,000 LKR ($1.40–2.75 USD).
Taxi or Car | Hiring a private taxi or arranging a car gives door-to-door convenience and the freedom to stop for photos or short hikes. Driving time is usually 1.5 to 2 hours via the most direct roads. Expect to pay around 6,000–10,000 LKR ($16.50–27.50 USD) for a one-way transfer; prices vary with vehicle type and negotiation and airport-style transfers or larger vans cost more.
A taxi from Hambantota to Tissa is quick and convenient, roughly 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. One-way rates commonly fall between 3,000–6,000 LKR ($8.25–16.50 USD).
A private transfer from Mirissa or Matara to Tissa typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Rates generally range from 5,000–9,000 LKR ($13.75–24.75 USD) one way, again depending on vehicle and season.
Tuk-Tuk | For short, flexible trips or if you prefer an adventurous, local-style ride, tuk-tuks can be hired for the route though they are less comfortable for longer stretches. Journey time is roughly 2 to 3 hours. Negotiated fares typically range from 4,000–8,000 LKR ($11–22 USD) one way, depending on bargaining skills and whether the driver waits or returns.
Plane | If arriving internationally to Colombo and wanting the fastest route, consider flying into Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport or domestic flights into Hambantota (limited options) then a short taxi to Tissamaharama. Flight plus transfer times vary widely; domestic flights are occasional and pricier. Expect overall costs (flight plus ground transfer) to be several thousand LKR more than land options — domestic fares can run 10,000–30,000 LKR ($27.50–82.50 USD) or higher depending on season and availability.
Practical tips: Take tuk-tuks for short hops — always agree on the fare before you climb in and keep small bills ready for quick change. Trains along the coast offer unbeatable views; book a reserved seat for peak travel and arrive early to snag a window. Buses are cheap and frequent but crowded — pack light, brace for spontaneity and enjoy the local rhythm. For longer trips, hire a trusted driver for comfort and flexible stops to discover hidden temples, tea stops and scenic viewpoints.
02 | Land in Tissa
The drive from Ella to Tissamaharama took about two and a half hours and cost Rs6000, or about $20 USD. After our arrival, it was time to check in at My Village Hotel Tissa and grab some food at Calorian Restaurant in town. There, I ordered a traditional Sri Lankan dish of chicken kottu roti, along with mango juice. The kottu roti was filled with chopped roti, chicken curry, scrambled egg, onion, carrot and chilies, Everything was very tasty but a little pricey, relatively speaking, at Rs2500 or $8 USD.
After lunch, it was back to the calm vibes of the hotel for pool time and some rest and relaxation. The interior of the hotel was super cute, a respite in a cool jungle setting that offered relief from the hot dusty streets outside its walls.
There were many nooks and crannies to explore and secret spots to hideaway, if needed. The hotel also provided bicycles for use if that was your thing, and soft lounge seating meant for midday napping.
Later in the evening, the hotel offered to prepare dinner. Simple but delicious, the menu offered roti’s with chicken, tomato, lettuce and cheese, side salad and white wine, a Chardonnay, to drink.
With hopes of an exciting morning, we arranged a safari jeep tour at Yala National Park, priced at $32 USD per person. It would be a shared jeep with six other guests.
03 | Safari at Yala National Park
Before the sun came up, the alarm sounded at 3:45 a.m. It was time to get ready for the safari. With a quick cup of coffee and a packed lunch from the hotel, we jumped into the jeep that arrived promptly at 4:30 a.m. After picking up two other couples, one Chinese pair and the other, Dutch, we were off to the park. Once we arrived, we pulled in and waited inside the jeep while our guide purchased our tickets.
Book your official tour here - Yala National Park.
Giving visitors a chance to witness the diverse wildlife of Sri Lanka, Yala National Park is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka and one of the most visited in the country. Located in the southeast of Sri Lanka hugging the Indian Ocean, Yala was named a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and a national park in 1938. Ironically, the park was initially used for hunting for the elite under British rule.
After sorting out our tickets, which took some time, we were on the move again. Just as the sun began to poke out through the cloud covered sky, the jeeps began to line up one by one at the entrance, engines running.
Feeling like we were about to race off into the sunrise, our jeep slowly crept forward, entering the park after handing off our tickets. From then on we were pretty much off road, bumping and banging along, eyes peeled, looking to catch any form of wildlife.
Yala is home to 44 varieties of mammals and 215 bird species. Among its more well known residents are a high concentration of leopards, elephants, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted deer, peacocks and crocodiles. The best time to visit falls between February and July when water levels are quite low, bringing animals out into the open.
Right away, we got lucky and ran into animals like birds, peacocks, rabbits, wild boars, monkeys, water buffalo and mongoose. Every time the guide would spot an animal he’d slow down and pull over, describing each one, their habits and the surrounding landscape.
Combining a nature reserve and national park, Yala is split into five blocks, or portions, totaling over 320,000 acres of protected land. Currently, only three of those portions are open to the public with land made up of forests, shrubs, grasslands and lagoons. And because of its sheer size, you’re likely to be exploring on your own, without bumping into any other jeeps.
Weather-wise, Yala is hot. It’s a hot, semi-arid environment despite its lush green appearance, particularly during monsoon season. Temperatures typically range from 79°F to 86°F with most of the rain occurring during monsoon season between September to December.
Throughout the park, there were also multiple lakes where many of the animals would gather. We were able to see birds and crocodiles among the lily pads.
The guide was very respectful and didn’t get too close or disturb any of the animals. And luckily, the paths were already very close to the wildlife so that we didn’t have a hard time viewing each animal.
Lunch at Yala Beach
After a few hours of exploring Yala Block I, our guide drove us to Yala Beach to rest and enjoy lunch. He pulled over, parked and we all grabbed our packed lunches, grabbing a seat wherever we could find. Our guide was nice enough, offering everyone fresh fruit and tea. For lunch, the hotel had packed a sandwich, yogurt and chocolate milk.
Yala Beach was nice enough but not necessarily one meant for swimming as it looked a bit rough and rocky. Starting fires, setting up tents or even participating in water sports isn’t allowed but you may walk along the beach and enjoy the sunny weather and soft sand.
Off in the distance was Patanangala, an ancient rock formation. Yala, in general, is mostly composed of metamorphic rock belonging to the Precambrian era, the earliest part of Earth’s history. Situated on the lowest plain in Sri Lanka, reddish brown soil and humic grey soil (plant and animal matter) make up the majority of soil present at Yala. A mostly flat and slightly undulating plain, the land extends lower at the coast and higher in the interior.
Wild Out with Wild Boars, Deer & Crocodiles
Back at it after lunch, our guide continued down the trails discovering even more wildlife to study. Often times, we’d see something off in the distance, standing in the middle of our path and approach slowly as to not scare them away.
As we continued on there were wild boars, foxes, crocodiles, deer and elephants, not to mention more of the parched landscape spreading over the national park.
The wild boar had to be one of the more interesting sightings, along with the spotted deer.
After monsoons, water is abundant but during the dry season surface water becomes critical. Surface water appears in the forms of streams, waterholes, rock pools and tanks (pond or similar). Waterholes only occur in low lying areas while rock pools are able to fill with water year-round.
Important for elephants, water buffalo and birds, natural waterholes are ideal habitats. Most reservoirs of these varieties can be found in Block I, followed by Block II, and are named Maha Seelawa, Buthawa, Uraniya, and Pilinnawa tanks.
04 | Unwind at Your Stay’s Swimming Pool
Around 11:30 a.m. our tour came to an end and we made our way out of the park and back to the hotel about an hours drive. With such an early morning and exhausting day driving around the dusty bumpy roads of Yala, our best option was to relax at the hotel pool for the rest of the day. For lunch, another roti filled with chicken, cheese and tomato, side salad and french fries.
Into the late afternoon, the pool continued to call our names. Temperatures were too hot for much else to happen, anyway. Dinner also took place at the hotel; grilled chicken and veggies with french fries, salad and wine were perfect to round out the day.
05 | Indulge on Sri Lankan String Hoppers
In the morning, an early breakfast to start the day. To eat, the traditional meal of Sri Lankan string hoppers with fruit, juice, coffee and tea. Known as idiyappam, string hoppers, also called indiappa, nool puttu, noolappam and ottu shavige, originate from the Indian state of Kerala and Tamilnadu, and consist of rice flour pressed into noodles, then laid into a flat disc-like shape and steamed.
Tip / Make sure to try all varieties of string hoppers, including sweet and savory. The bowl shaped egg hoppers made with coconut milk were my absolute favorite.
The dish can be eaten as a breakfast with eggs, served with stews or curry or sweetened with sugar, coconut milk or similar. I did my best to mix and match different combinations with each of the side dishes. It was incredibly delicious but a bit heavy for the morning.
On our way out, we caught a ride with two Australian girls to Mirissa. Mirissa lies two hours west at the very southernmost tip of Sri Lanka and would be a pleasant last stop before heading back to the States.
