Hotels near Yala National Park
Journey on around 290 km Southeast of Colombo and you’ll come into rich, expansive vegetation teeming with wildlife ranging from sloth bears to elephants and peacocks. Welcome to Yala, every nature-lover’s paradise brimming with bio-diversity and home to the highest density of leopards in the world. A far cry from the concrete jungles the cities are known for, Yala provides a much needed sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is best visited in the company of an experienced guide as the animals come out during specific times of the day which a visitor would not be familiar with. Adjoining this is the Bundala National Park, which is less visited although it shouldn’t be considering it has one of the most colourful agglomeration of birds swooping in from all corners of the globe to escape the harsh conditions of winter in their homelands.
Trips to both Yala and Bundala are complete excursions in themselves and should therefore be well-planned out so you can be adequately rested to garner the maximum out of this experience. Amongst the hotels near Yala National Park, we have our luxurious Uga Chena Huts – a truly one-of-a-kind accommodation option conveniently dotted in the heart of it all flagged on one side by the jungle, on the other side by the sea and with it a variety of wildlife to be enjoyed to your heart’s content!
What is included:
A snack and a drink by a scenic irrigation tank or another quiet spot chosen by your ranger.
Morning Round
5.00 a.m. Start of the morning round (departure time can be altered as the park opens earlier during periods of the year when the sun rises earlier)
9.30 a.m. Return to the resort
Evening Round
3.30 pm Start of the evening round
6.30 pm arrive at hotel
Please note:
The Yala National Park (Yala Block 1) will be closed from 1 September to 15 October due to the development of infrastructure, as well as to allow the flora and fauna to flourish in their natural habitat without interference.
During this period, ‘Uga Chena Huts’ will be providing itineraries for our guests to Yala Blocks 3, 4 and 5. Here are our suggestions as below:
Yala Galge
Time of departure: Have a late breakfast at Uga Chena Huts. Leave premises by 10.30
Duration: Reach Galge (entrances for blocks 3,4 and 5 are from this location) 12 noon.
What is included:
Drive into the relevant block and stop for a packed lunch. Relax by a river or tank in a cool shady spot where interesting wildlife come down to the water.
3.30 pm Start of on the evening game drive.
6.30 pm exit park.
8.00 pm arrive at hotel
Bundala National Park
Time of departure: 5.30 am leave Uga Chena Huts for Bundala National Park
Duration: Arrive at Bundala National Park entrance at 6.15 am
What is included:
Game drive on Bird Watching. Some elephants can also be seen
Stop at the beach inside the park for some snacks and drinks.
Return to Uga Chena Huts by 11.30 am (Depending on guests)
Bush Walks
Bush walks are conducted at dawn and dusk.
Time of departure:
Dawn walk : From 5.45 AM to 7.00 AM
Dusk Walk : From 5.30 PM and to 6.30 PM
Where: In close proximity to the hotel. Around the lake and along the beach.
Note : Bush Walks will be conducted on availability of rangers
For all excursions:
What to bring/wear: Comfortable, cool clothes suitable for hiking, a sunhat, gym shoes, and your camera
Please arrange your safari game drive at the time of making the booking to avoid any availability issues.
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