Yala National Park
Spread over 126,786 hectares, Yala Safari Park, also known as Ruhunu Safari Park, is second only to Wilpattu Safari Park, the largest wildlife reservation in Sri Lanka. Situated in the south-eastern low-land dry zone of Sri Lanka, Yala Safari Park is a combination of dry-mixed evergreen forests, bushland, open greenery, water holes, briny water lagoons and seaside forest areas. Drypatus sepiaria (weera), Salvadora persica (malittan) and Manilkara hexandra (palu) overshadow the other vegetation of this incredible safari park.
The assortment of wild life at Yala Safari Park include large mammals such as elephants, spotted barking deer, mouse deer, sambhur, wild boar, water buffalo, sloth bear (endangered) and the leopard. Other animal species such as jackal, civet, rusty spotted fishing cats, mongoose, black nape hare, grey languor and toque macaque (endemic) are resident at Yala Safari Park. A stunningly large amount of crocodiles belonging to endangered varieties frequent the massive water holes and lagoons of the safari park. The largest bird in Sri Lanka, the rare black-necked stork is among the 142 species of birds recorded at the park. The majestic tuskers and the grand leopards are some of the rare and beautiful animals of Yala Safari Park, probably the most magnificent wild life sanctuary in Sri Lanka.