The 9 Best Yala National Park Safaris in Hikkaduwa

1.Hikkaduwa/Galle/Weligama/Mirissa/Tangalle: Yala Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 263 reviews · 9 hours · from $45Our pick

Travel from Hikkaduwa, Galle, Weligama, Mirissa, Tangalle, or nearby towns to Yala for a three-hour Jeep safari. An English-speaking guide such as Sasanka, Dilan, Chathura, or Tikiri helps you spot leopards, elephants, crocodiles, birds, and more.

“Tikiri was an amazing guide, very knowledgeable and had an excellent ability to spot tiny creatures that we would have missed otherwise (lizards, birds, etc) Also got up close and friendly with many elephants and even a crocodile! 🐊”

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2.Galle/Mirissa/Tangalle: Transfer to Ella & Yala Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 235 reviews · 4 - 9 hours · from $11Best value

Travel from Galle, Mirissa, Weligama, Matara, Hiriketiya, or Tangalle to Ella by air-conditioned vehicle, stopping for a three-hour open-jeep safari in Yala. Guides such as Dilan, Sasanka, Tikiri, and Ishan work hard to spot elephants, crocodiles, monkeys, and leopards along the way.

“Very good experience with our driver Sasanka! Highly recommend!”

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3.Value Tour: One Day Safari Trip to Yala & Udawalawe w/ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · 1 day · from $57

Start before sunrise for a Yala jeep safari, eat a local lunch, watch young elephants feed at Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, then safari in Udawalawe from 3 PM. English-speaking guides such as Ishan, Naja, Sasanka, and Dilan have helped guests find wildlife across both parks.

“I loved it! Dilan is a very good guide and driver. Fully recommended!”

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4.Shuttle to Down South Any Location w Yala Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 1 day · from $29Top rated

Ride from Ella to Tangalle, Mirissa, Galle, or another Down South stop, then join a three-hour open-jeep safari in Yala. English-speaking guides such as Sasanka, Chathura, and Ishan help spot wildlife. Bring food, drinks, and patience for possible delays.

“Sasanka is really good guide, we enjoy the safari whit him!”

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5.Hikkaduwa/Galle/Weligama/Mirissa: Yala National Park Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 1 day · from $43

Travel from Hikkaduwa, Galle, Weligama, or Mirissa to Yala National Park for a three-hour Jeep safari. English-speaking guides such as Sasanka, Vishwa, and Janaka help you spot leopards, elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, birds, and more. The park fee of about LKR 13,000 per person is extra.

“the safari was great ! really loved it to see all the beautiful nature and wild animals Iam giving only a star only because we had a bad experience with the hotel pick up and drop off. the drop off was terrible as the driver fell asleep whilst driving and we crushed into the side of the road ! lucky we didn't got hurt ,but was a very scary situation so please be aware as the drivers are not very good ones”

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6.From Hikkaduwa/ Galle/ Mirissa – Yala National Park Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 5 reviews · 11 hours · from $54

Travel from Hikkaduwa, Galle, Mirissa, or nearby towns to Yala National Park in an air-conditioned car, then spend about four hours in a 4x4 jeep looking for leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, deer, and birds with an English-speaking guide.

“What an amazing experience. From a prompt pick-up at the hotel with a friendly driver who often checked on our comfort to the overall safari experience. Our driver and guide were first class, so knowledgeable about all the animals on the park. They were relentless in tracking each species down to ensure we had the best day. Lunch was provided which was an unexpected surprise. Overall would give this a 5-star rating. The jeep ride alone is worth the cost of the trip.”

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7.Kalutara/Bentota/Kosgoda/Ahungalla/Hikkaduwa: Yala Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 10 - 12 hours · from $124

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from Kalutara, Bentota, Beruwala, Kosgoda, Ahungalla, or Hikkaduwa to Yala National Park. Your Jeep safari may reveal leopards, elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, birds, and more, with guides such as Sasanka, Mutu, or Jashar leading the drive.

“Belle expérience de safari avec notre guide Sasanka. Nous avons pu observer de nombreux éléphants !”

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8.From: Hikkaduwa/ Galle/ Unawatuna/ Talpe – YALA Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 9.5 hours · from $43

Leave Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, Talpe, Dodanduwa, or Rathgama before sunrise for a shared Yala safari. Your English-speaking guide, such as Dilan or Kasun B, leads two game drives in a Toyota Hilux, with a Patanangala Beach break and hotel return.

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9.Yala National Park Full Day Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 16 hours · from $203

Spend a long day exploring Yala National Park in a private, air-conditioned vehicle and 4x4 jeep. An English-speaking guide takes you into leopard country, with chances to see elephants, deer, bears, birds, and more. Pickup, breakfast, lunch, fruit, and water are included, but park entry costs extra.

“The park opens at 0600 and there are so many jeeps waiting for the gates to open. Don’t panic. The park is massive and we didn’t see that much traffic. We did see leopards, elephants, mongoose, water buffalo’s, deer, toucan amongst many other animals. Our driver was excellent and took us off the main tracks at times to see animals. The driver provides a home cooked meal ( which is served cold by the beach). As it is a national park, toilet facilities are very basic and there is quite a long time between stops. Bring your own toilet paper. All in all, one of the best experiences of my…”

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