One of the most well-known places for wildlife safaris, Yala National Park, is a remarkable sanctuary for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers located in the southeastern part of the country.  Spanning an expansive area of nearly 1,000 square kilometers and is located about 300 kilometers from Colombo. The park is home to an impressive variety of animals, including majestic elephants, elusive leopards, playful sloth bears, and numerous species of deer and boasts an impressive array of 44 distinct mammal species, along with an abundant avian population encompassing over 200 diverse bird varieties. The park’s diverse ecosystems, consisting of dry and moist monsoon forests, grasslands, semi-arid thorny scrub, and coastal habitats, provide a unique habitat for a plethora of bird species.