Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park to be closed for tourists

Sri Lanka’s premier national park, Yala, known as the country’s leopard Den, will partially close to tourists for one month from September 14.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation has announced that Zones 1 and 2 of Yala National Park will be temporarily closed to tourists from September 14 to October 15, owing to the prevailing dry weather conditions in the region.

Zone 1 is particularly famous for its high concentration of leopards, while Zone 2 is renowned for its elephants and rich birdlife.

Both are among the most visited areas of Yala National Park.

However, Zones 3, 4 and 5 will remain open to tourists, although certain restrictions will apply.

• Zones 3 and 4: These areas are largely designated as restricted conservation zones and are primarily used for wildlife protection.
• Zone 5: A quieter section of the park where controlled safari entry is permitted under strict guidelines.

Covering approximately 100,000 hectares, Yala National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic wildlife destinations, offering visitors a unique combination of natural beauty, rich biodiversity and ancient history.

In 2025, close to 800,000 tourists visited Yala, with approximately 50 percent being foreign visitors.

The number of foreign tourists visiting Yala is equivalent to around one-third of the total foreign tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka, highlighting the immense popularity of the national park among international visitors.

Impact of the Closure

The temporary closure of the two most popular zones is therefore expected to have an impact on safari tourism.

However, this will allow the park authorities to manage wildlife and the ecosystem during the prolonged dry period.