How To Plan a Trip to Yala
Sri Lanka has many national parks for you to explore and the Yala National Park is the most popular of them all. If you want to know how to plan a successful trip to this National Park, read on.
Adbar, Elephant Herd Yala National Park, CC BY-SA 3.0
Time your Safari perfectly
When planning a safari in this part of the island or at any other National Park in the country, it is vital that you time your visit to the safari perfectly. The things you have to keep in mind when timing a Safari are the weather conditions of the island and the month of the year you are visiting Sri Lanka. The monsoon months in the country usually are best avoided because it will be difficult for you to go on a trip and travel around the country during the harsh rains. Travelling on roads would be bad, and it is going to be worse in a natural environment like a national park where things can get muddy and slippery really fast. Apart from the monsoon affecting your trips, the comfort you will have during this excursion will be very low and also if you pick a foggy and rainy climate, you won't really see much of the animals roaming the park freely because they will be hiding in the shade away from the rain. The best time to visit the Yala National Park is from the months of June to September, but you could also try May to July because that is the dry season and makes for a great time if you want to spot a few leopards. If you want to avoid the crowds, then you might want to visit the park right after the monsoon season ends, but beware of mosquitoes.
Planning the Excursion
There are many local tour operators that you can take a look at who will create a great itinerary for you on a trip to Sri Lanka. If you are staying at one of the Yala boutique hotels the likes of Uga Chena Huts, you can contact the staff at the hotel and ask them for advice on how to plan your trip. Take a look at all the options carefully before you consider and also take a look at the reviews and comments made by previous Safari goers if you are planning on booking a safari at any local centre. You can also add or deduct things you do not want from your itinerary because some operators also offer customized plans for their customers.
Try to stay near the park
Being one of the most visited national parks in the country, you will find plenty of accommodation in and around the place for you to choose from when you are travelling to this place regardless of whether you're looking for a budget accommodation or a luxury accommodation. There are many from these options. In addition to being located properly also make sure that you select a hotel that has all the basic comforts, you might want from a reputed hospitality hub. You need to keep in mind that you will be exhausted after your excursion through the park and you do not want to come back to an uncomfortable hotel room or a rock-hard bed.
Packing for the trip
The final step in planning a successful trip to the national parks in Sri Lanka is ensuring that you pack everything you need for the adventure in a small bag that you can carry throughout the day. Take yourself a backpack or a satchel made from waterproof and durable clothing and pack Safari Essentials, like binoculars, sunscreen, mosquito repellent cream and a digital camera. Do not forget to take a wide hat and a pair of sunglasses to keep the sun away from your eyes. Also, take a few extra batteries and a power bank if you think you are going to be out there for a long time.
