The expansive Yala National Park has the distinction of being the second-largest of the national parks of Sri Lanka and it attracts the highest number of visitors. This renowned wildlife sanctuary covers an area of 979 sq km and was designated as a national park in 1938. It is well known for its beauty and the sheer diversity of the wild animals the park features. Yala has been portrayed in many documentaries including those of the Discovery Channel and the BBC. The terrain of the park consists mainly of shrub jungle dotted with rocky outcrops that are found scattered throughout the area. A number of freshwater and saltwater lagoons form part of the park. As you might expect in a tropical wildlife sanctuary, Yala offers a breathtaking variety of wild animals including elephants, leopards, sambhur, sloth bear, spotted deer, mongoose, jackals, wild buffalos and monkeys such as the macaque and langur.
The park is also a birdwatcher’s dream with as many as 130 varieties of bird life having been recorded in the locale. Well-known avian species which are often spotted at Yala include sandpipers, black-necked storks, egrets, pelicans, parakeets, bulbuls and more. A local highlight is the proud peacock, readily seen in the park in all its glory. Additionally, you will see marine turtles nesting the along the coastline areas.
To obtain a genuine glimpse into this vast wildlife sanctuary and view its luxuriant flora and fauna, there is no better choice than to take a safari. Rugged off-road vehicles will take you deep into the parkland, and the experienced drivers will make sure you visit the areas where wildlife is abundant. There are several safari options available; an interesting choice would be a daybreak safari early in the morning or one at dusk, as these are the times when creatures like sloth bears and leopards come out of their lairs and roam about. Other options are half day or full day safari excursions where you will see many different kinds of animals and birds.
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Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.