Watch leopards in the Yala National Park: 10 practical tips

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We were generally lucky with regard to travel entry flys. In the Norwegian Arctic we saw incredible northern lights. In Tonga we swam with whales on the very last day of the season and we snorkeled with penguins on Galápagos. Nevertheless, I kept my expectations of our Leopardsafari in the Yala National Park in Sri Lanka.

It was raining heavily and our guide, a Scotsman from Sri Lanka called Damian, warned us that Leopards tend to withdraw in caves when wet. In addition, other tourists had been on two safaris the day before, without luck being in sight.

We set off and drove for several hours. We saw herds of spotted deer, peacocks, wild boar, buffing and a whole series of birds - but no leopards. When the light disappeared, our hopes also disappeared. But just when we prepared to leave the park, Damian heard the alarm call of a monkey that warned his fellow species that a leopard was nearby. We were thrown away and sat only a few meters from a majestic leopardin within a few minutes.

So that you can get the best out of your own visit, we have put together 10 practical tips for watching leopards in the Yala National Park.

Visit to the dry season

The dry season offers the best chances of seeing leopards in the Yala National Park. These difficult to compensate creatures prefer dry weather and are more likely to travel in June to September when the precipitation is the slightest. In the rainy months (November to January and April), the leopards often withdraw to caves, which reduces their chances of seeing them in the wild.

Noel Rodrigos Leopard Safaris offers the following table helpful, which brings down the best months for the observation of leopards in the Yala National Park.

Alt = "Best time to watch leopards in the Yala National Park"

It is worth noting that we were there in January and despite pretty heavy rain, we managed to discover a leopard that lazy in a tree. So if you can't come in the dry season, don't quite give up hope.

Legend+ good viewing opportunities ++ Very good sighting -radio green background: Occasionally precise precise background: rain possible, but unlikely background: no rain is expected

Do not book safari off the street

You may be told that you can simply swing at the gates of the Yala national park and pick up a cheap safari. That's right, but be warned that cowboy outfits are abundant. The operators do not need professional accreditation to bring visitors to the park, and they will probably be dependent on an inexperienced guide.

Alt = "The best national park in Sri Lanka for Leopards is Yala"Atlas & BootsWithout an experienced guide, this leopard would have missed us

Our guide was in the game for almost a decade and was able to see the alarm call mentioned above. Without Damian, the driver would have driven on and we would have missed our only chance to view a leopard in the park.

Book more than a game ride

It is essential that you book more than a game drive if you want to watch leopards in the Yala National Park seriously. It is true that we saw one on our first excursion, but other tourists in our camp only saw one on their third.

We booked two trips and should have booked one more afterwards. Our colleagues set off again and were rewarded with a much better view.

Alt = "Yala National Park"KIP Hayes/Used with permissionOur colleagues were rewarded with a better view

Make one night out of it

Many visitors choose a nearby hotel and drive to the Yala National Park in the morning. This is a fairly hygienic way of seeing the park. Instead, make one night out of it by spending the night in a nearby camp.

Alt = "We spent the night at a cozy campsite"Atlas & BootsWe spent the night on a cozy campsite

In view of my aversion to camping, we chose Noel Rodrigos Leopard Safaris, which offers a number of amenities and at the same time preserves the intimate atmosphere of the camping.

During camping you can also meet guides who are really interested in nature, the wildlife and the national parks of Sri Lanka. We spent an hour with warehouse manager Saj about hunting, poaching and the controversial case of Cecil the Lion.

Be calm

"This is the first time that I hear the Americans silence," joked a fellow traveler when we met our leopard. The people in question were a group of friendly, but chattering New York who had chatted through the park. When we came to the Leopards, they were silenced by the sight.

It is important to be quiet so as not to scare the leopards. Do not use your camera blitz and do not make a distracting movements.

Update your photo equipment

If you plan to upgrade your photo equipment, the right time is now.

Alt = "A crocodile, recorded by Peters six years old zoom lens"Atlas & BootsA crocodile, recorded by Peters six years old zoom lens

Peter packed his six -year -old zoom lens instead of the updated version for which he saves. Unfortunately, its limits became clear when the light began to fade. If the photographing of leopards in the Yala National Park is a priority for you, you will not save on the equipment.

If you do not have a waterproof camera cover, you should also buy one because you need you when it rains.

Be decisive

Your safari guide has to estimate when everyone is ready in the vehicle. Occasionally you don't stop at something you find interesting. Be clear and clear to help you do your work.

Alt = "Pfau in the Yala National Park"Atlas & BootsIf you see something you want to take pictures, ask your guide clearly to stop

If you want to stop, don't say "Oh, there is a peacock" or "Wow, take a look at this country monitor," you say "we can stop". This clearly signals that you want to watch the animal. If you are ready to go, say "We can get started". This ensures that you get your shot, reduces confusion and reduces time waste.

Pack rain pants

Your camp will probably provide waterproof ponchos, but in any case pack a waterproof jacket. Avoid heavy or cuddly clothing and try to bring the following.

  • Light, breathable cotton clothing
  • Sweater/cardigan for morning game drives
  • Camera plus required equipment
  • Additional memory cards
  • Charging devices (for camera/phone)
  • Sun hat or hat
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Schal/Sarong as dust protection
  • Insect protection
  • Lamp
  • Small daily bag

Alt = "In waterproof ponchos in the Yala National Park"Atlas & BootsIn waterproof ponchos in the Yala National Park

Share first -class seats

Depending on the season, you may have to share your vehicle with another party. If this is the case and you get first -class seats on your first game ride, offer places on your second trip.

This can mean that you end with the flar -like seat (in the middle of the back seat), but it is better that you endure it than to let someone else do it twice.

Alt = "offer to exchange places and share first -class photo dates"Atlas & BootsOffer to exchange places and share first -class photo dates

Be considerate when it comes to photo dates. If you have made a great recording from the perfect angle, offer to temporarily exchange the places so that someone else can access this position.

Be prepared not to see any leopards

There is no guarantee that you will see Leopards in the Yala National Park. The fact that we saw you on our first game ride during the rainy season is promising, but you never know.

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  • Alt = "Pfau in the Yala National Park"
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Atlas & Boots

Stick to the parking regulations at any time and do not put your guide under pressure. Try not to compare your experiences with others. We saw a leopard on our first trip, but not on our second. We were completely satisfied with it until we found that our American friends saw two leopards on the second trip - and killed a leopard!

Try to remember that you are lucky to just be there. On this second trip, Peter turned to me in the mercilessly rain after a fruitless morning and asked if I was doing well.

I smiled. "Of course," I said. "Take a look at where we stand, what we do."

Yala national park: The essentials

What: watch leopards in the Yala National Park.

Where: We stayed on Noel Rodrigo's campsite Leopard Safaris, a 40-minute drive from the entrance to the Yala national park. The accommodations ranged from spacious canvas tents - each with a living area with a view of the jungle and its own toilet and shower - to a luxurious lodge tent with a skimatic bed and an esstern breed outdoors.

Three hearty meals with traditional cuisine are served in a community restaurant with many drinks and snacks in between - all included in the overnight price.

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Atlas & Boots

The most striking aspect was the staff of the camp, which had a clear passion for nature and wildlife, from Praneeth, who can tell them how many bird species in Sri Lanka are endemic, to Saj, which has an encyclopedic knowledge of young and small creatures.

When: The best time to observe Leopards in the Yala National Park is June to August when it rains the least. February and May are also good months. We were there in January and saw a leopard, so there is hope outside of this month.

Like: The entrance fees for the Yala National Park are $ 15 per person for a daily visit and $ 30 for an overnight stay.

The cities of Tissamaharama and Kataragama offer the best access to Yala. You can take the train to Matara from the Colombo train station (view the timetable here). These run around the south coast. From Matara you can take bus 32 to Tissamaharama or Kataragama and drive with the Tuk Tuk to the entrance to the Yala national park. You should note that we found bus trips in Sri Lanka to be quite stressful, so you may want to take a transfer instead. Your hotel can arrange this, but it is always worth negotiating a discount because they are normally exaggerated (e.g. if 15,000 LKR are specified, ask for 11,000).

Many tourists choose to rent a driver for the entire trip. This costs about $ 45 a day (including the days on which you do not use the driver). We used Ajaa (+94 777 284 178) and Sisi (+94 777 203 083) for shorter transfers and found them friendly and reliable.

Most International flights end up at the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Book through Skyscanner at the best prices.

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