Sri Lanka · SRI LANKA LEOPARD SAFARIS

The 15 Best Leopard Safaris in Sri Lanka

30 tours  ·  from $11

Leopards here climb, sleep in the open and cross the track in front of jeeps, which is why the early gate matters. These 15 drives are compared on park, hours inside and what a private vehicle costs over a shared seat.

Leopard Safari Tour in Yala National Park - Entering Yala at 6 a.m. by safari jeep
National Parks, Safari, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris in Yala, Tour Reviews, Tours, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala National Park Safaris in Yala, Yala Tours

Leopard Safari Tour in Yala National Park

1.Leopard Safari Tour in Yala National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 281 reviews · from $20Our pick

Join Shehan Safari for a 4 to 14-hour Yala National Park jeep trip, usually with hotel pickup and up to six people per jeep. Guides including Tikiri, Mudhu, and Rashandra focus on leopards during the first and final golden hours, while also searching for elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, birds, and smaller wildlife.

“Had a very nice tour with Mudhu. He picked us up from our hotel and was great at spotting animals along the tour route in Yala National Park. We saw a bunch of animals up close -- elephants, peacocks, water buffalo, iguanas, toucans -- as well as some leopards in the distance. Would recommend to other travelers.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Leopard Safari in Yala National Park(Full Day/Half A Day) - Choosing between five hours, seven hours, and a full day
Full-Day, National Parks, Safari, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris in Yala, Tour Reviews, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala National Park Safaris in Yala, Yala Tours

Leopard Safari in Yala National Park(Full Day/Half A Day)

2.Leopard Safari in Yala National Park(Full Day/Half A Day)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 96 reviews · from $22Top rated

Set out from Tissamaharama, Yala, or Kirinda in a private open-top 4WD with a driver-tracker such as Ranga or Amila. Choose a 5-hour, 7-hour, or full-day safari to seek leopards, elephants, sloth bears, jackals, and birds. Park entry costs extra.

“We had an amazing day with Amila! He was so accommodating and worked hard to find all the animals. We saw a leopard and a sloth bear, which is the most rare animal in the park! 4:30 am pick up is early, but worth it. We did the full day tour and honestly, I think that jusRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

National Parks, Safari, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris in Yala, Tour Reviews, Tours, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala National Park Safaris in Yala, Yala Tours

Yala National Park Special Leopard Safari Tours By Dinuka Safari

3.Yala National Park Special Leopard Safari Tours By Dinuka Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · from $22

Spend up to 12 hours in Yala National Park with Dinuka Safari, sharing a jeep with no more than six people. Guides such as Dilanka and Ishan track leopards across jungle, plains, lagoons, and coastal areas, with hotel pickup, binoculars, and private service for groups of four or more.

“Communication via WhatsApp went well. Pick up was right on time. The driver spoke reasonable English, he must have good connections since we saw the all, bear, Elephant, leopard, crocodile tons of birds, deer and water buffalo. It was truly a amazing experience .”

Check availability →Read our full review

Special Leopard Safari Tour in Yala National Park by Malith & the team - The first two hours are built around leopard tracking
National Parks, Safari, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris in Yala, Tour Reviews, Tours, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala National Park Safaris in Yala, Yala Tours

Special Leopard Safari Tour in Yala National Park by Malith & the team

4.Special Leopard Safari Tour in Yala National Park by Malith & the team

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 60 reviews · from $85

Start before dawn with Malith and the Yala Wild Safaris team, reach Yala’s gate early, and spend 6 to 11 AM seeking leopards before covering elephants, crocodiles, deer, peacocks, and birds. Hotel pickup, a maximum of six people, and guide-shared photos add practical value.

“The whole safari experience was undermined by the wreckless and unsafe driving as they determined to reach the national park before anybody else. On countless occasions, sat at the back of the jeep, I hit my head hard on the metal bRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Yala National Park: 7 hour & 12 hour Leopard Safari Tours - Seven hours or twelve hours in the park
Hambantota Tours, National Parks, Safari, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Tour Reviews, Tours, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala National Park Safaris in Hambantota

Yala National Park: 7 hour & 12 hour Leopard Safari Tours

5.Yala National Park: 7 hour & 12 hour Leopard Safari Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 46 reviews · 7 - 13 hours · from $18

Set out from Tissamaharama, Kirinda, Weerawila, Palatupana, or Kataragama in a 4x4 jeep with an English-speaking guide. Look for Yala’s leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, birds, and deer, with breakfast included and lunch on the 12-hour safari.

“It was amazing! The drive was a little crazy but to be expected 🤣 our guide was awesome and we were the first car to a leopard! It was a dream come true. We also saw crocodiles, buffalo, monkeys, and elephants. Long day but the leopard made it worth it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Yala National Park: Leopard Safari Tour with Park Tickets - The jeep ride through scrub, forest, and lagoons
National Parks, Safari, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris in Yala, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala National Park Safaris in Yala, Yala Tours

Yala National Park: Leopard Safari Tour with Park Tickets

6.Yala National Park: Leopard Safari Tour with Park Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 35 reviews · 4 - 12 hours · from $76

Take a dawn or afternoon jeep safari through Yala with guides such as Yasha, Tikiri, Sasanka, and Dillan. Expect quiet tracks, lagoons, scrub, forests, and strong chances of seeing leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and birds. Full-day trips add breakfast and a beachside rice-and-curry lunch.

“Great afternoon on safari, saw lots of elephants and other animals in just a few hours!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Yala National Park Special Leopard Safari Tour - Tracking leopards without false promises
National Parks, Safari, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris in Yala, Tour Reviews, Tours, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala National Park Safaris in Yala, Yala Tours

Yala National Park Special Leopard Safari Tour

7.Yala National Park Special Leopard Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · from $28

Meet your safari driver, possibly Ish, before dawn for a five-hour Yala National Park jeep ride. The early entry improves your odds of seeing leopards, while elephants, buffalo, deer, birds, and open scenery fill out the trip. Pickup, breakfast, water, and binoculars are included, but park admission costs extra.

“Ish picked us up from our accommodation at 4:45am and we were the second jeep let into the park when it opened at 6am. We saw a leopard, buffalo, deer, elephants, and lots of birds and other animals. Ish was a great driver and guide, wRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Knuckles Leopard trail Trek from Kandy - Leaving Kandy at 7:00 in the morning
Hiking & Trekking, Kandy Tours, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Tour Reviews

Knuckles Leopard trail Trek from Kandy

8.Knuckles Leopard trail Trek from Kandy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $100

Leave Kandy early for a private Knuckles Range trek through tea trails, quiet forest, rocky paths, wooden bridges, and dwarf cloud forest. Your guide, possibly Manju, Shyamal, or Lakmal, leads the walk and sets the pace. A picnic lunch, drinks, transport, and park fees are included.

“We had a wonderful day. The hike was challenging but definitely worth it. Our guide was excellent. Thoroughly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Day Tour from Colomb to Yala Safari (Leopard Safari Tour) - Why Yala is the draw
Private, Safari, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Tour Reviews, Tours, Yala National Park Safaris

Private Day Tour from Colomb to Yala Safari (Leopard Safari Tour)

9.Private Day Tour from Colomb to Yala Safari (Leopard Safari Tour)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · from $90

You travel by private vehicle from Colomb to Yala National Park for a four-hour wildlife drive. The $90 price includes transport, bottled water, a driver, and hotel pickup, but not the 4x4 jeep or park admission. Expect a 10 to 12-hour day.

“The tour operator is a rip iff. As per the govt, Indian passport holders get a 20 percent discount on everything which means the price of the ticket entry and safari jeep seat which is 35 USD should be around 28 USD. I was asked for 3250Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Yala Best Extended Half Day Safari By Ceylon Leopard Safari - Pickup, park entry, and the first tracks
Safari, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris in Yala, Tour Reviews, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala National Park Safaris in Yala, Yala Tours

Yala Best Extended Half Day Safari By Ceylon Leopard Safari

10.Yala Best Extended Half Day Safari By Ceylon Leopard Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $35

Spend about six hours exploring Yala National Park in a private Toyota Land Cruiser, Hilux, or photography-ready Land Rover. Your guide may be Thushara, Udayanga, or Nilupul, with binoculars, field guides, water, and safari photos provided. Entrance tickets cost extra.

“Excellent service great communication. Guide was waiting early to collect us from hotel very friendly and professional. Loved the 4x4 pick great seating position, had the whole pick up to ourselves. We managed to see various deer buffalo some elephants, crocodiles and sadlRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Hikkaduwa/Mirissa/Galle/Tangalle - Yala Leopard Safari - A nine-hour day from the south coast
Hambantota Tours, Safari, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Tour Reviews, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala National Park Safaris in Hambantota

From Hikkaduwa/Mirissa/Galle/Tangalle – Yala Leopard Safari

11.From Hikkaduwa/Mirissa/Galle/Tangalle – Yala Leopard Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 24 reviews · 9 hours · from $41

You leave Hikkaduwa, Galle, Mirissa, Tangalle, or nearby towns for four hours inside Yala National Park. A guide such as Mari or Imal leads the wildlife search, while air-conditioned transfers and a spacious 4x4 jeep keep the long day comfortable. Leopards are possible, never promised.

“Very beutifull, we saw elephants, crocodiles and even a leopard from the distance, i would recommend this safari.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Yala National Park: Leopard Safari Full day tour with Lunch - Searching for Yala’s leopard
Full-Day, Lunch Experiences, National Parks, Safari, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris in Yala, Tour Reviews, Tours, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala National Park Safaris in Yala, Yala Tours

Yala National Park: Leopard Safari Full day tour with Lunch

12.Yala National Park: Leopard Safari Full day tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 22 reviews · from $62

Set out around 5:00 AM from the Yala area with an English-speaking guide and spend a full day in Yala National Park. Ride a modified safari Jeep through forests, lagoons, grasslands, and scrub, stop for picnic lunch, and keep watch for leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and crocodiles.

“We had an unforgetable day at Yala Natalia Park. Thanks to our guide Yashara and his knowledge and habilities we could saw everything including the leopard! Its a one lifetime adventure”

Check availability →Read our full review

Exclusive: Full Day Leopard Safari at Yala National Park - The 5:30 a.m. ride from Hambantota or Kataragama
Full-Day, Hambantota Tours, National Parks, Safari, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Tour Reviews, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala National Park Safaris in Hambantota

Exclusive: Full Day Leopard Safari at Yala National Park

13.Exclusive: Full Day Leopard Safari at Yala National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $75

Set out from Hambantota or Kataragama at 5:30 a.m. with a private English-speaking guide for a full day in Yala National Park. Search for leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and birds, then take a picnic lunch and beach break before an afternoon game drive.

“Excellent trip. There were many other companies offering the same tour, but what our day was the tour guide we had. He was in contact with other drivers throughout the day so he could take us to the best spots. He set up table and chairs in prime position by the beach foRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Wilpatu National Park Leopard safari from Colombo/Negambo - The 8:30 a.m. pickup from Colombo or Negombo
Colombo Tours, National Parks, Private, Safari, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Tour Reviews

Private Wilpatu National Park Leopard safari from Colombo/Negambo

14.Private Wilpatu National Park Leopard safari from Colombo/Negambo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $78

You leave Colombo or Negombo at 8:30 a.m. in an air-conditioned vehicle for Wilpattu National Park, then switch to a safari jeep for about four hours. Guides such as Sonia or Rahul can help spot leopards, sloth bears, elephants, crocodiles, and birds. Lunch is taken near the park before the game drive.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Wilpattu! Their well thought-out schedule was customized to our tastes, guaranteeing an enjoyable and cozy trip. Our trip to Sri Lanka was made genuinely unforgettable by the team's rapid resRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

All Inclusive Leopard Nest Treehouse Safari in Yala - The afternoon game drive in Yala National Park
Colombo Tours, Safari, Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris, Tour Reviews, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala National Park Safaris in Colombo

All Inclusive Leopard Nest Treehouse Safari in Yala

15.All Inclusive Leopard Nest Treehouse Safari in Yala

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 12 reviews · from $200

You’ll travel from Colombo to Yala for two game drives, a private treehouse or luxury tent, alfresco shower, campfire drinks, dinner under the stars, and a dawn nature walk to a lake. Return transfers, meals, selected drinks, and a naturalist guide are included.

“The staff are very friendly and helpful. The road/track to the facility is an adventure (wear the seat belt or hold on tight as you will be thrown around) in its self, similar to some of the tracks around yala national park. Food was very generous portions not a lot of selection Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Sri Lanka Leopard Safaris

★ 5.0Yala National Park: Leopard Safari Half/Full-Day SafariFrom $383 reviews
★ 3.8Yala National Park: Half Day or Full Day Leopard Safari TourFrom $163 reviews
★ 5.0Private Yala Safari Full or Half Day Leopard TourFrom $754 reviews
★ 5.0Leopard Half Day Yala National Park Eleven SafariFrom $806 reviews
★ 5.0Best Yala Shared Leopard Safari: Tissamaharama Wildlife ToursFrom $265 reviews
★ 4.5Exclusive : Overnight Leopard Safari with Luxury GlampingFrom $6224 reviews
★ 4.1Kumana National Park Leopard Safari PRIVATE TourFrom $857 reviews
★ 5.0Knuckles Leopard trail Trek from KandyFrom $1086 reviews
★ 3.8Yala National Park Leopard Safari TourFrom $585 reviews

Keep browsing

National Parks280Yala National Park Safaris222Udawalawe National Park Safaris136Minneriya National Park Safaris75Wilpattu National Park Safaris24Sri Lanka Elephant Safaris25Sri Lanka Jeep Safaris55Wildlife29
Scroll to Top

Explore Sri Lanka

Pick a park, a temple or a stretch of coast.

The parks

Yala SafarisUdawalawe SafarisMinneriya SafarisLeopard DrivesWilpattu Safaris

Rock and temple

Sigiriya RockCave TemplesAnuradhapuraHeritage DaysGalle Fort

Hill country

Tea FactoriesKandy to EllaTrain JourneysNuwara EliyaHikes

Coast and water

Whale BoatsSnorkellingWhite WaterHikkaduwaBentota