Yala National Park
Yala National Park is a national park in Sri Lanka, established in 1937. It stands as the 9th most looked-up sight in the country among the 14 locations featured on this site. Visitors come to explore this protected area, which covers 1.512 km2 of land.
Planning a visit
The weather in Yala varies throughout the year. For drier conditions, the months of June, July, and August are suitable, as rainfall is lowest during this period, while daily temperatures reach about 33 °C. Those visiting during the wetter months, particularly November and December, should prepare for significant rain, which often exceeds 190 mm. January also sees high rainfall, averaging around 139 mm.
The park is located 179 km from the capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. Travelers arriving by air can use Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, which is the closest facility at 51 km away. Colombo Ratmalana International Airport is another option, though it is located 181 km from the park. Visitors often combine a trip here with other locations in Sri Lanka to see more of the country.
Weather by month
The warmest month is August, with an average high of 33 °C. The wettest is November, with about 250 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 28 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 29 | 28 |
| Average low, °C | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 |
| Rainfall, mm | 139 | 69 | 80 | 111 | 55 | 25 | 31 | 27 | 50 | 158 | 250 | 198 |
| Rainy days | 15 | 14 | 15 | 23 | 28 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 24 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
