Top 5 Things to do in Yala, Sri Lanka – How to explore Yala

If you're a fishing enthusiast you can jump on board one of the traditional fishing boats used in Sri Lanka and take part in a fishing expedition. The fishing trips are guided by local fishermen and tourists are taken around the tank of Yala that which surrounded by wildlife and natural beauty. This is also the perfect way to learn about the day-to-day life of people and support the local community who live around Yala. Once done fishing you can hand over the fish you caught to one of the locals who will cook you a scrumptious meal with it

Located at the southern tip of the migratory route for birds, the Bundala National Park is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka for bird watching. The park was declared by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in as the first wetland in Sri Lanka by Ramsar. It is also considered as an international wintering ground for birds. Located around 245 kilometres from Colombo, the island's commercial capital, it is home to 197 types of birds. Large flocks of herons, flamingos and storks are some of the highlights that you'll see when visiting this park.

If you want to learn more about the way of life of the people who reside around Yala you can explore the area on foot or by cycle. Situated close to Yala, Kataragama is also a great place to visit to learn more about Buddhism. The city is one of the most revered cities' in the country for pilgrimage. Hindu and Buddhist devotees from all over the country travel to Kataragama in hordes to pay their tribute to the temples in Kataragama. The months of July and August are the best time to visit the city as its during this time the Kataragama Perahera which is part of the Perahera occurs.

Being the second largest national park in Sri Lanka, most of Yala is made up of open fields of grassland and dry woodlands with most of the park considered to be undiscovered. Staying overnight at a Yala hotel similar to that of Chena Huts is one of the best ways to truly experience the wonders that the Yala national park has to offer. Grey languor monkeys, Asian elephants, leopards, black bear and peacocks are some of the animals that you can see in their natural habitat. Enjoying a delicious barbeque after a long day of sightseeing is one of the best ways to unwind while camping in Yala.

While you can explore the Yala national park from the comfort of your own vehicle, taking a guided safari is the smarter things to do. The guides who will take you around the park will have insight on what the best time to embark on the safari and where to visit. The magnificent Asian Elephant, the sloth bear and the elusive leopards are three of the big four species of Sri Lanka that can be seen at Yala in their natural habitat. Visitors are advised to keep a safe distance between themselves and any animals for the safety of both parties.