Yala is a wilderness of rocky outcrops, dense jungle, open grasslands and coastal lagoons – home to the world’s highest density of wild leopards and a cast of supporting wildlife. This day tour departs early to ensure arrival at the park gates in time for the first morning safari session, when wildlife activity is at its peak and the light is at its most golden. Your safari guide – familiar with Yala’s terrain and animal movements – leads a thrilling 4–5-hour jeep safari through the rocky outcrops for leopards, open plains for elephant herds, lagoon edges for crocodiles and water buffalo, and the sky above for raptors and water birds. Yala is also home to the sloth bear, the fishing cat and the Sri Lankan junglefowl and sightings of all of these are regularly encountered.