15 Yala Safaris in Galle to Build a Day Around

1.Yala Safari Private Day Trip with Return Transport -All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 54 reviews · from $140Our pick

Travel by private vehicle to Yala National Park, then spend about four hours in a private Japanese safari jeep searching for leopards, elephants, sloth bears, birds, and more. Pickup reaches Galle, Ella, Colombo, and many south-coast towns. Lunch, park entry, bottled water, and return transport are included.

“Bentota travel mart were so great! Sam had 10/10 communication and Rahul was the best driver! Unfortunately heavy rains meant that Yala wouldn't be as accessible, Sam gave us a few options to ensure we didn't miss out. Thanks for making our trip to udawalawe so memorable.”

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2.ELLA to TANGALLE/MIRISSA/GALLE Shuttle & YALA Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 49 reviews · from $31

Travel from Ella to Yala, Tangalle, Hiriketiya, Mirissa, Weligama, or Galle, stopping for a Yala National Park safari. You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, then switch to an open-sided safari jeep. Guides including Sasanka, Vishwa, and Tikiri are praised for spotting leopards, elephants, crocodiles, birds, and more.

“Had a great early morning safari! Vishwa was a good guide and had a good eye out for multiple animals, saw a crocodile, a leopard, 2 chameleons, and more! Would highly recommend”

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3.Mirissa/Weligama/Galle/Tangalle: Drop to Ella & Yala Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 27 reviews · 10 hours · from $43

Travel from Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama, Mirissa, Matara, Hiriketiya, or Tangalle to Ella by air-conditioned vehicle, with a Yala National Park jeep safari in the middle. Guides such as Sasanka and Naja explain animal behavior and help with photography. Allow 10 hours, plus about $40 for park fees, which are not included.

“It was a great way to maximize time between Weligama and Ella! Naja was great on the safari and Hansa was a great driver”

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4.GO WILD! Double Safari Day Trip (Yala & Udawalawe) – Private & All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $280Top rated

Travel by private vehicle from Galle and nearby south-coast towns to Udawalawe and Yala National Parks. You get two jeep safaris, a 30-minute Elephant Transit Home visit, lunch, park entry, bottled water, and an experienced driver-guide. Expect a 13 to 16-hour day with strong elephant sightings and a chance, never a promise, of seeing leopards.

“We had a wonderful, albeit long day to visit Udawalawe and Yala- trip was well organised and pick up with Dinesh was on time from our hotel. He took us safely to both parks and both of our guides in the parks were friendly and knowledgaRead more”

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5.Galle/Mirissa: Yala & Udawalawe Safari Day Trip with Picnic

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 21 reviews · 16 hours · from $101

Leave your Galle or Mirissa accommodation before sunrise for Yala and Udawalawe National Parks. A private driver and safari guide take you through both parks, with a picnic lunch, bottled water, and a stop at Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home during feeding time. Expect a 16-hour day, cash entry fees, and plenty of time in the vehicle.

“It was a fantastic day from beginning to end. Our transportation was very efficient and on time. Our guide was amazing at spotting the wildlife. We were lucky enough to see a leopard and the elephants came so close to us!! We saw a huge variety of species as we visited both of the parks and I’d highly recommend this day out. Just remember the entrance fee to the parks is not included and they only take cash. It cost us 26,000 RPS in total for entry. The picnic lunch was in a local restaurant which we weren’t expecting but the service was fantastic and owners were very kind. We…”

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6.GALLE/MIRISSA/TANGALLE/HIRIKETIYA DROP to ELLA & YALA SAFARI

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 21 reviews · 4 - 9 hours · from $12Best value

Travel from Sri Lanka’s southern beaches to Ella with hotel pickup, an English-speaking driver-guide, and a Yala National Park safari. You’ll ride in a 4x4 with individual seats and a 270-degree view, with a chance to see elephants, leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, monkeys, buffalo, and birds. Guides such as Dilan, Sasanka, and Elian have led recent trips.

“The company was great and very helpful. Everyone was great including our guide Elian. They were also helpful after the safari was over and helped me make arrangements”

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7.Yala National Park Private Safari trip from Galle/Unawatuna/Mirissa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $200

Leave Galle around 3 a.m. for Yala National Park, transfer into a private safari Jeep, and spend nearly four hours seeking elephants, birds, and leopards. Mahesh is one guide named in the tour feedback. Transport, park admission, water, and a refreshment are included, but lunch is extra.

“We were able to see a variety of animals and birds and got lucky with a leapard walking right in front of our Jeep.”

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8.Galle/Mirissa: Yala & Udawalawe Safari Day Trip with Picnic

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9 reviews · 1 day · from $96

Leave your hotel before sunrise for Yala National Park, then continue to Udawalawe for the Elephant Transit Home and a second safari. Your English-speaking driver-guide handles the long day, with guides such as Muthu and Janaka praised for careful support. Expect elephants, birds, deer, crocodiles, and a chance of leopards, plus lunch and hotel transport.

“Très belle journée, départ à 3h du matin, le chauffeur était ponctuel et charmant : demander une pause toilettes avant l’autoroute car plus rien après, prévoir un breakfast avec son hotel ou acheter la veille car sur la route et à l’arrivée tout est fermé. Le premier guide Muthu a été vraiment super et prévenant au Yalla Park! Léopard en plus de tous les autres animaux cités. Déjeuner ok et complet. C’etait mignon de voir les bébés éléphants nourris au lait (heures fixes moi c’était 14h30). Le 2eme Park était intéressant aussi mais trop de jeep sur certains éléphants parfois! Je recommande”

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9.Half Day Safari at Yala National Park with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $189

Leave Galle at 5:30 am in an air-conditioned private vehicle, then explore Yala National Park for about three hours by 4WD with a driver-tracker. Look for leopards, elephants, crocodiles, deer, sloth bears, and birds. Entry, water, refreshments, lunch, and selected hotel transfers are included.

“It was a well organised trip. My driver Saman drove me from Galle - he was super friendly and engaging. The safari driver was informative, and showed me popular Rocky areas. Although we didn’t see any leopards, we managed to see water bRead more”

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10.Paradise Yala Safari Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $27

Sujith of Paradise Tuk Tuk Tours collects you early by private tuk-tuk, takes you to Tissamaharama, and arranges a five-hour Yala National Park safari by jeep. Tea, snacks, and bottled water are included. Park entry and jeep fees cost extra, and the full day lasts about nine hours.

“We did a safari tour with Sujith and it was one of the best experiences of our entire trip to Sri Lanka. The tour was perfectly organized and we were lucky enough to see so many animals, which made it truly unforgettable.”

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11.One day Yala National Park from Galle/Hikkaduwa/Mirissa/Unawatuna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $184

Set out before dawn from Galle, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, or Unawatuna for a private Yala National Park jeep safari. Your driver-guide handles the long road trip, park entry, wildlife tracker, snacks, and water. Ask if Mahesh or Thilanka is available, and expect scenic stops at Koggala, Dikwella, and Tissamaharama.

“I had a whole day trip to Yala for a morning safari. My pickup was great, driver was lovely and I felt very safe. The safari driver / guide was brilliant. Plus we stopped at the stilt fishermen, temple and the turtle sanctuary on the way back as well as some photo spots along the surf beaches. An amazing day and so worth it.”

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12.Yala Safari Drive From Galle, Weligama, Mirissa & Dickwella

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $80

Set out around 5 AM from Galle, Mirissa, Weligama, or Dickwella for a private Yala National Park safari. Your driver collects you from your hotel, provides breakfast and water, then transfers you to an open safari jeep. Guides such as Udaya and Sasanka have been praised for careful driving, clear communication, and sharp animal spotting.

“Great trip! Beautiful place with loads of wildlife, very good value for money! Also, there is obviously other groups around the park but it’s not overwhelming and I was worried they would impede on the animals, but that’s not the case!”

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13.Yala National Park Safari from Weligama

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $124

Set out from Weligama at 11:00 am in an air-conditioned vehicle, reach Yala for lunch, then spend about three hours in a private safari jeep. Your English-speaking chauffeur guide handles the transfer, while a safari guide takes you through the park in search of leopards, elephants, water buffalo, sloth bears, crocodiles, and birds. Return to your hotel around 9:00 pm.

“Had a good visit to Yala National Park. Got picked up promptly at 3 30 am as we opted for a morning game drive. Entered that park at 6 and spent 4 hours. Saw the wildlife in the park, missed the leopard sighting, am sure that’s a luck of the draw !!!”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $90

Leave Tangalle, Mirissa, Galle, or nearby for a safari in Yala or Udawalawe National Park, then continue by air-conditioned vehicle to your Ella hotel. A local safari guide such as Sasanka, Janaka, or Walpita helps spot elephants, crocodiles, monkeys, birds, and possibly leopards. Park fees cost extra.

“It was such a great experience! Even though we didn’t see any leopards the tour was still such a fun time, our guide Sasanka was so knowledgeable and great at spotting animals in the safari that we never would have. The transfer too was such a great aspect, made the day run so smoothly. Thank you!”

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15.YALA SAFARI TOUR from Galle/Mirissa/Matara/Tangalle/Ella & More..

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $39

Travel from Ella, Galle, Mirissa, Matara, Tangalle, or nearby coastal towns to Yala National Park for a full-day jeep safari. Guide Ishan is praised for spotting wildlife, with breakfast, water, binoculars, transport, and hotel pickup included. The park ticket costs an extra $37 per person.

“Amazing tour! We saw all kinds of animals included leapord. Think we counted to 13 spotted elephants. Our guide Ishan was the best! Told us everything along the tour and did an amazing job finding the animals. Also the included breakfast was god! Perfect day 👌👌♥️♥️”

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