Top 6 Yala National Park Safaris in Ella

1.Drop to Tangalle/Hiriketiya/Mirissa/Galle & Yala Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 518 reviews · 3 - 9 hours · from $10Our pick

Travel from Ella toward Tangalle, Hiriketiya, Mirissa, Weligama, Ahangama, or Galle, with a three-hour Yala safari built into the route. Guides such as Sasanka, Dilan, Ishan, and Janaka are praised for spotting wildlife and explaining what you see. Shared transport keeps the price near $10 per person.

“Our safari was excellent and our guide Ishan make such an effort to make sure we got to see all the animals that were available including Leopards and Elephants!”

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2.Drop to Tangalle/Hiriketiya/Mirissa/Galle & Yala Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 336 reviews · from $35

Travel from Ella, Haputale, or Bandarawela to Yala National Park, then continue to Tangalle, Hiriketiya, Mirissa, Galle, and nearby towns. An air-conditioned vehicle handles the long transfer, while safari guides such as Sasanka, Tikiri, Muthu, and Yashara search for leopards, elephants, crocodiles, and birds.

“Janaka was our driver and a terrific guide. He made sure that we get to see a leopard before we leave Yala. It was a smooth and safe ride from Ella to Ayala and then to Mirissa. Thank you for this tour!!! Sri Lanka experience is complete with this leopard sighting in Yala”

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3.Drop to Tangalle/Hiriketiya/Mirissa & Yala Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 296 reviews · 4 - 10 hours · from $11

Travel from Ella by air-conditioned vehicle, spend about three hours in an open-top jeep at Yala National Park, then continue to Tangalle, Hiriketiya, Mirissa, Weligama, or Galle. Guides such as Sasanka, Dilan, and Ishan help spot wildlife and explain what you see.

“Sasanka was a good driver, saw leopard from far distance and family of elephants, some birds and heaps of jeeps on road but very nice people!”

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4.Yala Safari with Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle Drop-off

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 198 reviews · 9 hours · from $10

Travel from Ella to Yala National Park by air-conditioned car, spend about four hours on a guided 4x4 safari, then continue to Mirissa, Galle, Tangalle, Hiriketiya, or Unawatuna. Guides such as Isuru, Kavee, and Srimal are praised for sharp animal spotting and friendly service.

“Was great organized everything went as planned , we were lucky and we saw leopard in the first 10 minutes we reached Yala park! All around great experience and very value for money !”

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5.Yala National Park Safari Tour in a 4×4

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 155 reviews · 8 hours · from $49

Travel from Ella to Yala National Park in an air-conditioned vehicle, then explore forests, grasslands, lagoons, and scrub in a private 4x4. English-speaking guides such as Sasanka, Dilan, Muthu, and Tikiri are praised for spotting leopards, elephants, crocodiles, and rare birds.

“Great day and guide. He was knowledgeable and raced around looking for animals. Unfortunately no leopards but the elephants were amazing. A must do.”

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6.Yala Safari with Drop at Tangalle/ Hiriketiya/ Mirissa

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 74 reviews · 9 - 16 hours · from $11

Leave Ella by air-conditioned car, spend about four hours in Yala National Park with an English-speaking guide and 4x4 jeep, then continue to Tangalle, Hiriketiya, Mirissa, Galle, or nearby stops. Expect a long day, extra park fees, and real wildlife rather than guaranteed sightings.

“For us the whole was a Great experience. We got picked up in Ella on time at our hotel, then the trip to Yala was good. The driver was very careful and not driving like crazy. The safari (afternoon) was great as we saw so many elephants, crocodiles, deer, birds, and even a leopard from very far though. You must know that no one can guarantee that you will see animals. The drivers communicate with other ones and try to get people see animals but that’s up to the nature. We got fresh always when arriving at the park and had a short stop for wc and drinks. The return…”

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