Yala was one of the first National Parks to open in Sri Lanka, opened in 1938, and remains the most popular. Udawalawe is a lot smaller than Yala, about a third of the size. But small can be beautiful!  Entry to the Parks involves a fee of US$15, you must hire a jeep and a guide and these can cost between US$30-34 at Yala, and about US$24 at Udawalawe. Jeeps can seat between 4-6 people. Yala has claimed 44 different types of mammals, and has stunning birdlife. At Udawalawe you will have a greater chance of spotting elephants due to the huge reservoir, and the size of the park.  Those who want to see the leopards should head to Yala, they have about 40 now, whilst the population at Udawalawe has remained steady at 10.

However, to be blunt, Yala is a real tourist hotspot. The jeeps can seem to form endless queues around the park, and the vegetation makes it more difficult to see the birdlife they offer. Our villa manager at our two Dynamic Lives villas at Stella Beach, Gayan, always prefers to send his guests to Udawalawe. Whichever of the beautiful national parks you choose to visit in Sri Lanka, rest assured your villa manager will take the hassle out of arranging your trip and ensure the time spent out in the wild is memorable.