Sri Lanka · SAFARI TOURS IN ELLA

15 Safari Tours in Ella to Build a Day Around

24 tours  ·  from $10 a head

Every trip has one free morning too few. These 15 safari tours in Ella justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.

From Ella: Drop to Tangalle/Hiriketiya/Mirissa & Yala Safari - What the day looks like from Ella
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala Safaris in Ella

From Ella: Drop to Tangalle/Hiriketiya/Mirissa & Yala Safari

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

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

Travel from Ella by air-conditioned vehicle, pause for a three-hour open-jeep safari in Yala National Park, then continue to Tangalle, Hiriketiya, Mirissa, Galle and nearby towns. Guides including Sasanka, Dilan, Ishan and Tikiri are praised for spotting wildlife and explaining what you see. Park entry costs extra.

“We had a great safari with our lovely guide Sasanka! He was very knowledgeable and tried to show us as many animals as possible despite it being dry season. Highly recommend!!”

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From Ella: Yala Safari with Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle Drop-off - The early pickup from Ella
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala Safaris in Ella

From Ella: Yala Safari with Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle Drop-off

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

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

Travel from Ella to Yala National Park by air-conditioned car, spend about four hours in a 4x4 jeep with an English-speaking guide, then continue to Tangalle, Hiriketiya, Mirissa, Unawatuna, or Galle. Guides such as Isuru, Kavee, Srimal, and Chutte are praised for spotting wildlife, including leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and birds.

“the transfer war smooth and the safari was amazing! Our guide/driver Isuru explained us everything about Yala park and the animals we were seeing. He was very attentive and despite he was driving he managed to spot a lot of fauna for us! We even see a leopard and a sloth bear (incredibly). The park was crowded at the entrance, but inside is so big that you will barely see other jeeps around. Absolutely worthy, I would definitely book it again”

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Ella: Shuttle to Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle w Udawalawe Safari - Switching to the Udawalawe safari jeep
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella, Udawalawe National Park Safaris

Ella: Shuttle to Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle w Udawalawe Safari

3.Shuttle to Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle w Udawalawe Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 166 reviews · 7 hours · from $48Top rated

Use this Ella to south-coast transfer as a practical wildlife stop. Your air-conditioned vehicle collects you in Ella, then you switch to an open safari jeep for about three hours in Udawalawe National Park. Guides such as Pathum, Koshala, Mahesh, and Manesh are praised for spotting elephants, crocodiles, birds, buffalo, and monkeys before the driver takes you to your hotel.

“Overall, the roadtrip was easy and comfortable, and our driver was lovely and even offered to pause at some sights. The safari was very fun and our guide Manesh was lovely, explaining things to us and pointing things out as we drove along. As a transit from Ella to Tangalle, it was a great bypass, and something I would recommend to anyone interested!”

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From Ella: Yala National Park Safari Tour in a 4x4 - Entering Yala during the golden hours
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Ella, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala Safaris in Ella

From Ella: Yala National Park Safari Tour in a 4×4

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

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

You leave Ella before dawn or later in the day, ride two hours to Yala, then join a private 4x4 safari through forests, scrub, grasslands, and lagoons. Guides such as Sasanka, Dilan, Muthu, and Tikiri are praised for spotting leopards and small animals. Expect a long day, a separate cash park fee, and a real chance of seeing elephants and crocodiles.

“What an adventure that was! Very happy with our driver who got us to our 4x4 car was a nice and smooth journey despite early morning! Naja our tour guide at the park was amazing at spotting animals and wanted to make sure we will see as much as we can.”

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Ella: Yala Safari with Drop at Tangalle/ Hiriketiya/ Mirissa - Leopards are the headline, but not the whole show
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala Safaris in Ella

Ella: Yala Safari with Drop at Tangalle/ Hiriketiya/ Mirissa

5.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 Hikkaduwa. Expect elephants, crocodiles, deer, birds, and a chance at a leopard, with the LKR 13,000 park ticket paid separately.

“We had a good time and we managed to see all the animals. Our driver was very nice. On the way to the Safari he stopped for us in order to take pictures of the waterfall in Ella. Totally worth it. Thank you again!”

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Tuk-Tuk Safari Liptons seat,Tea Fields Hike,TeaFactory Tour - Reaching Lipton Seat and Its Seven-District View
Hiking & Trekking, National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tea Plantations & Factories, Tea Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Ella, Tuk Tuk Tours

Tuk-Tuk Safari Liptons seat,Tea Fields Hike,TeaFactory Tour

6.Tuk-Tuk Safari Liptons seat,Tea Fields Hike,TeaFactory Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 46 reviews · 7 hours · from $60

Leave Ella by tuk-tuk for a countryside ride through Bandarawela or Haputale. Walk tea-estate paths with an English-speaking guide, enjoy a picnic, reach Lipton Seat, then tour Dambatenne Tea Factory, built in 1890. The day ends in Haputale, so plan your onward transport rather than expecting a return to Ella.

“Excellent experience despite heavy rain. Our guide did a wonderful job working around the cloud cover and rain, to create an interesting and fun tour”

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Ella: Transfer to Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle & Yala Safari Tour - Leaving Ella in an air-conditioned car
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Ella, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala Safaris in Ella

Ella: Transfer to Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle & Yala Safari Tour

7.Transfer to Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle & Yala Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 40 reviews · 4 - 10 hours · from $12

Leave Ella, Haputale, or Bandarawela for a three-hour Yala National Park safari before continuing to Tangalle, Hiriketiya, Matara, Mirissa, Weligama, Unawatuna, Galle, or Hikkaduwa. You ride in an air-conditioned car, switch to an open-sided safari jeep, and may spot elephants, leopards, crocodiles, sloth bears, monkeys, buffalo, and birds. Guides include Dilan, Tikiri, Sasanka, and Vishwa.

“O condutor do trajeto conduzia com cuidado e era simpático. Quanto ao do guia do Safari já não posso dizer o mesmo, faltava-lhe simpatia. Mas de um modo geral, foi uma boa tour”

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From Ella: Udawalawa Safari and Tangalle/Hiriketiya Transfer - Switching to the open jeep at Udawalawe
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella, Udawalawe National Park Safaris

From Ella: Udawalawa Safari and Tangalle/Hiriketiya Transfer

8.Udawalawa Safari and Tangalle/Hiriketiya Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 30 reviews · 7 hours · from $48

Start with hotel pickup in Ella, Haputale, or Bandarawela, then switch to an open jeep for a 3-hour Udawalawe safari. Look for elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, monkeys, and birds with an English-speaking guide such as Mahesh or Pathum. Afterward, continue by air-conditioned vehicle to Tangalle, Hiriketiya, Talalla, or Matara.

“A must do experience! Our guide Mahesh took us to the best spots and made sure we saw everything! Thank you Mahesh!”

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YALA BLOCK 5 & 6 (Weheragala & Lunugamwehera) Safari Tour - The early pickup sets the tone
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Ella, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala Safaris in Ella

YALA BLOCK 5 & 6 (Weheragala & Lunugamwehera) Safari Tour

9.YALA BLOCK 5 & 6 (Weheragala & Lunugamwehera) Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 30 reviews · 5 - 12 hours · from $35

Take a private 4x4 safari through Yala Blocks 5 and 6, including Lunugamwehera and Weheragala, with an English-speaking guide such as Sasanka, Janaka, Ishan, or Dasani. Expect grasslands, wetlands, lakes, elephants, crocodiles, birds, and a chance at leopards and sloth bears. Pickup, drinks, water, and binoculars are included.

“Tikiri was a good driver. We had unfortunate weather and did not end up seeing any leopards, but saw many other animals including elephants, crocodiles, monkeys, lizards, and all different types of birds. If you’re going between Ella and the coast and short on time, this is a good way to squeeze in a visit to Yala if you’re interested.”

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From Ella: Udawalawe Safari with Elephant Transit Home Visit - Thirty minutes with the baby elephants
Elephant Orphanages & Transit Homes, National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella, Udawalawe National Park Safaris

From Ella: Udawalawe Safari with Elephant Transit Home Visit

10.Udawalawe Safari with Elephant Transit Home Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 26 reviews · 8 hours · from $70

Leave Ella in an air-conditioned vehicle for the Elephant Transit Home, then continue to Udawalawe National Park for a guided jeep safari. You may see elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, deer, peacocks, monkeys, and many birds. Guides such as Koshala and Pathum are praised for careful spotting and clear explanations. Entrance fees are extra.

“fantastic safari with Peathum. Easy pick up and transport. saw lots of elephants and other animals would really recommend”

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From Ella: Yala Safari & Transfer to Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle - Ravana Waterfall is a scenic bonus
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala Safaris in Ella

From Ella: Yala Safari & Transfer to Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle

11.Yala Safari & Transfer to Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 25 reviews · 10 - 17 hours · from $29

Leave Ella by air-conditioned car, stop briefly at Ravana Waterfall, and spend about four hours in Yala National Park with a 4x4 safari guide. Look for leopards, elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, sloth bears, and birds before continuing to Mirissa, Tangalle, Galle, or Unawatuna. Guides such as Damith have been praised for sharp animal spotting and patient driving.

“Después de haber hecho varios safaris en Sri Lanka, debo decir que el de Yala me ha resultado un poco decepcionante en relación calidad-precio. Aunque tuvimos la suerte de ver un leopardo, la experiencia se sintió más como una persecución caótica que como una oportunidad para apreciar la fauna en su entorno natural. Estuvimos más de una hora esperando entre jeeps para poder verlo, y cuando finalmente llegó nuestro turno, apenas se distinguía al animal entre las rocas. Entiendo que en un safari no hay garantía de ver animales, ya que están en libertad. No obstante, hubo falta de equilibrio: el recorrido estuvo completamente centrado en encontrar al leopardo, sin…”

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From: Ella - YALA Safari - Drop off: Arugam Bay / Arugambay - The 3 a.m. departure from Ella
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala Safaris in Ella

From: Ella – YALA Safari – Drop off: Arugam Bay / Arugambay

12.From: Ella – YALA Safari – Drop off: Arugam Bay / Arugambay

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 21 reviews · 9.5 hours · from $110

Leave Ella around 3 a.m. in an air-conditioned shared car or minivan, join a Toyota Hilux safari jeep near Tissamaharama, and spend three hours inside Yala National Park. Guides such as Sasanka, Muthu, Janaka, and Dolan focus on wildlife sightings before dropping you at your Arugam Bay hotel.

“dolan was a very good driver, explained what was what with the wildlife. Spotted Elephants, water buffalo’s monkeys a leopard and many other animals”

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From Ella: Yala Safari Tour with Drop at Tangalle/Hiriketiya - The two-hour transfer before Yala
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Ella, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala Safaris in Ella

From Ella: Yala Safari Tour with Drop at Tangalle/Hiriketiya

13.Yala Safari Tour with Drop at Tangalle/Hiriketiya

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 16 reviews · 9 - 17 hours · from $29

Travel from Ella, Tangalle, Hiriketiya, or nearby towns to Yala National Park in an air-conditioned car, then explore for about four hours in a 4x4 jeep. Your English-speaking guide looks for leopards, elephants, deer, bears, crocodiles, monkeys, and birds before dropping you at your next destination.

“Przewodnik starał się nam pokazać wszystkie możliwe zwierzęta, robił to bardzo sprawnie, czasem pomijając pewne miejsca by nas dowieźć w ciekawsze, gdzie akurat będą dane zwierzęta. Widzieliśmy (poza niedźwiedziami) niemal wszystkie zwierzęta żyjące w parku (choć w przypadku geparda tylko ogon :D ). Natomiast niestety jadąc z Ella nasz kierowca przysypiał, głowa leciała mu w dół, i raz ewidentnie wypadłby z drogi, gdybyśmy nie krzyknęli na niego. Rozumiem, że to późna pora, że się spieszymy, ale jeśli kierowca jest zmęczony i potrzebuje półgodzinnej drzemki to wolałbym dojechać spóźniony, ale dojechać...”

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From Ella: Shuttle to Tangalle/Hiriketiya with Yala Safari - Arriving at Yala National Park
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella, Yala National Park Safaris, Yala Safaris in Ella

From Ella: Shuttle to Tangalle/Hiriketiya with Yala Safari

14.Shuttle to Tangalle/Hiriketiya with Yala Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 12 reviews · 9 hours · from $31

Leave Ella by air-conditioned vehicle, visit Yala National Park, and continue to Tangalle or Hiriketiya after a daytime safari. You will switch to an open-topped safari jeep and look for elephants, leopards, crocodiles, sloth bears, monkeys, buffalo, and birds. Sasanka has guided some safari departures in clear English.

“Chauffeur was zeer vriendelijk en behulpzaam, fijne & veilige rit en netjes op tijd opgehaald in Ella. Ik reisde alleen en daarom zeer aan te bevelen. Eenmaal aangekomen in ... werd er gewisseld naar een safari voertuig met meerdere andere toeristen, geen probleem. Gids op safari was helaas ongeïnteresseerd, enkel in zijn fooi. Maakte de gehele ervaring net ietsje minder desalniettemin overall nog steeds goed.”

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From Tangalle/Hiriketiya: Ella Transfer & Udawalawe Safari - The jeep ride and the value of time
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Ella, Tour Reviews, Tours in Ella, Udawalawe National Park Safaris

From Tangalle/Hiriketiya: Ella Transfer & Udawalawe Safari

15.From Tangalle/Hiriketiya: Ella Transfer & Udawalawe Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 12 reviews · 8 hours · from $48

Travel from Tangalle or Hiriketiya to Ella by air-conditioned vehicle, stopping at Udawalawe National Park for a jeep safari. Look for elephants, crocodiles, monkeys, water buffalo, peacocks, mongooses, and birds. Guide Mahesh has led safari trips, while drivers may add a stop at Ravana Falls when time allows.

“Le transfert s'est parfaitement passé et la communication avec le chauffeur a été anticiper . Il a même pris le temps de s arreter à la cascade de ravana avant notre arrivée à Ella. En ce qui concerne le safari, rien à redire on est arrivé juste après l ouverture et notre chauffeur de 4x4 nous a permis de voir ce qu on attendait des éléphants, un crocodile , des oiseaux , une mangouste et des singes ! Après c'est aussi les animaux qui décident si ils veulent se faire voir !!!”

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New in Safari Tours in Ella

★ 4.3Yala Block 5: Private Morning or Evening SafariFrom $434 reviews
★ 3.0From Tangalle / Hiriketiya : Yala Safari tour & Drop – EllaFrom $293 reviews
★ 5.0From ELLA to ARUGAM-BAY transfer with YALA Safari TourFrom $1094 reviews

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