FAQ
PLANNING A SAFARI IN YALA ?
Planning a safari in Yala? Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about staying at Ceylon Wild, including safari inclusions, private game drives, wildlife, travelling with children, what to pack and how to reach Yala
About Ceylon Wild
Where is Ceylon Wild?
Ceylon Wild is a luxury tented safari camp set in the wilderness bordering the western sector of Yala National Park in southern Sri Lanka. The camp sits on an 18-acre property, with only a small portion of the land used for the camp itself.
Is Ceylon Wild inside Yala National Park?
No. Ceylon Wild is located in the buffer-zone wilderness bordering Yala National Park, allowing guests to stay immersed in nature while accessing the national park for guided safaris.
How many tents does Ceylon Wild have?
Ceylon Wild has just seven luxury safari tents, creating an intimate and highly personalised experience. Each tent offers 768 sq. ft. (approximately 71 m²) of total space including its deck.
Is Ceylon Wild all-inclusive?
Yes. Ceylon Wild offers an all-inclusive safari experience, combining accommodation, dining, drinks and guided wildlife experiences.
What does the all-inclusive rate include?
The standard all-inclusive experience includes accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, snacks, beverages, morning and evening guided game drives, national park entrance fees, safari vehicle and guide services, government taxes and transfers between the park entrance and camp. Exact inclusions may vary by rate plan or special offer, so guests should check the conditions of their chosen rate when booking.
Does each tent have a private plunge pool?
Yes. Every Ceylon Wild tent has its own private plunge pool and wooden deck, creating a private place to cool off and relax between safaris.
Safari
How many safaris are included?
The standard all inclusive experience includes two guided game drives per day one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Safari inclusions may differ for promotional or alternative rate plans, so always check your selected package.
Are Ceylon Wild safaris private or shared ?
Ceylon Wild offers the choice of either a shared vehicle or private vehicle, for a more private and personalised experience, subject to the applicable supplement.
Which Yala entrance does Ceylon Wild use?
Ceylon Wild offers the choice of either a shared vehicle or private vehicle, for a more private and personalised experience, subject to the applicable supplement.
How long is a safari?
A typical Ceylon Wild game drive is approximately 3–3½ hours. Published safari times are approximately 5:30 AM–9:00 AM for morning drives and 3:00 PM–6:00 PM for afternoon drives, although timings may vary according to park regulations, conditions and the day’s experience.
Can I request a private safari?
Yes. Guests can choose an exclusive safari vehicle with a Ceylon Wild ranger, at the time of booking, at an additional charge. A private safari allows greater flexibility around your interests, whether you are particularly interested in wildlife behaviour, birding or photography.
Can you guarantee a leopard sighting?
No and we wouldn’t want to.
Yala is a wild ecosystem, and wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. Our guides use their knowledge of animal behaviour, tracks, alarm calls, habitats and current conditions to interpret the landscape and create the best possible wildlife experience while respecting the animals and the national park.
Can you guarantee a leopard sighting?
No and we wouldn’t want to.
Yala is a wild ecosystem, and wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. Our guides use their knowledge of animal behaviour, tracks, alarm calls, habitats and current conditions to interpret the landscape and create the best possible wildlife experience while respecting the animals and the national park.
What animals can I see in Yala?
Yala is home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, with Sri Lankan leopards, Asian elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, sambar, crocodiles, monkeys and a remarkable variety of birdlife among the species guests may encounter.
Every safari is different and for us, the experience is as much about understanding behavior and the ecosystem as it is about individual sightings.
Planning Your Yala Safari
How many nights should I stay in Yala?
We recommend at least two nights to experience Yala without rushing. This allows time for multiple game drives as well as enjoying the camp itself.
For wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and guests who prefer a slower safari experience, three nights gives you more opportunities to explore different habitats, observe animal behaviour and enjoy experiences beyond the game drives.
What should I wear on safari?
Choose lightweight, breathable clothing in neutral or earthy colours such as khaki, beige, olive and brown.
Comfortable closed shoes are useful for bush walks, while a light layer can be helpful for early-morning game drives. A hat and sunglasses are also recommended.
There is no need to dress formally at camp Ceylon Wild is about relaxed luxury in the wilderness.
What should I pack for Yala?
We recommend bringing:
- Lightweight, breathable clothing
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Camera and spare batteries
- Binoculars, if you have your own
- A light layer for early mornings
- Any personal medication
Ceylon Wild also has binoculars and selected photography equipment available for rent at camp.
Is Yala suitable for children?
Yes. Ceylon Wild welcomes families, with children under six staying free when sharing with their parents under the property’s current child policy and special rates available for children aged 6–11. Children must be supervised around wildlife, during safaris and near the private plunge pools.
Ceylon Wild also offers age specific nature and conservation experiences for younger guests, making Yala an opportunity for children to learn about the wild rather than simply observe it.
When is the best time to visit Yala?
Yala offers rewarding wildlife experiences throughout much of the year, and the landscape changes considerably between wet and dry periods.
Rather than presenting one month as the universal “best” time, we recommend choosing according to what you want from your safari wildlife, birding, photography, landscapes or a particular seasonal experience.
How far is Ceylon Wild from Colombo?
Ceylon Wild is approximately 285 km from Colombo, with the journey taking around 4 hours 15 minutes by road via the Southern Expressway, depending on traffic and road conditions.
From Bandaranaike International Airport, the published distance is approximately 290 km, with an estimated journey time of around 4½ hours.
How do I get from Ella to Ceylon Wild?
Ceylon Wild is approximately 95 km from Ella, with the drive taking around 2 hours 25 minutes via Wellawaya and Kataragama, depending on road and traffic conditions.
Transfers can be arranged in advance, allowing guests to travel directly from Ella to the Ceylon Wild meeting point before continuing into camp.