Yala National Park Safari from Ella, Mirissa
Sri Lanka is blessed with various national parks and wildlife sanctuaries where one can watch the varied species of animals and birds, along with lush greenery and plenty of flora and fauna and add charm to your Wildlife Tours Sri Lanka. Embark on this amazing safari experience in Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park! Depending on your preferred scheduled time. Perfect for wildlife photography enthusiasts, solo travelers, and families, Half day and full day safari exploration will bring you up close to the country’s well preserved natural treasures. Watch the mighty elephants roam around with cautious deer scampering by their side. See crocodiles and even bears! The most exciting part of the entire trip would be your visit to the natural habitats of Sri Lankan Leopards, the lord of the Jungle!
Description
Yala national park is one of the oldest and second-largest wildlife reserves in Sri Lanka. And also Yala is one of the most popular wildlife national parks of Sri Lanka and is known to have the highest densities of wildlife in the country. Touch base with some of your favorite animals; watch Leopards feed, laze and play in the open, and if you’re lucky you’ll see plenty of them as Yala is known to have the highest density of Leopards in the world. Listen to the elephant’s trumpet, monkey’s chatter, sloth bear grunts, and the melodious bird song from the verdant woods. Watch out! There’s plenty more to stop you in your tracks and let your heart pound faster.
This blend with nature is given to you by the finest safari destination in Sri Lanka along with the best safari jeep tours provided by us. 4restlanka Tours is here to make every safari a lifetime memory for wildlife lovers. We provide all of the services which are required to fulfill your wildest dreams when it comes to experiencing nature and wildlife at its best.
We tailor our services according to the experience which you are looking for. Come join us to witness the most amazing safari experience you will ever have. Contact us today and make your wildlife safari tour dream come true.
We organize and arrange your Yala safari experience from Ella, Mirissa your convenience as Morning Safari and Afternoon safari.
Morning Safari: We will pick up you at 4.00 am from your hotel in Ella, Mirissa, Galle and early drop off at your hotel in down south (around Galle) or Ella.
Afternoon Safari: We will pick up you at 11.00 am from your hotel in Ella, Mirissa, Galle and you can get lunch on the way. So safari will start before 1.30 pm and early drop to your hotel down south or Ella.
Tour Highlight
- Free Cancellation
- Reserve now & Pay later
- 4 hours half-day safari
- Half-day and full-day safari
- Experienced and safety Drivers
Tour Includes
- English speaking private guide | Driver
- Entrance fees including all taxes
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
- 4×4 Safari Jeep (Maximum of 6 Passengers per jeep)
- Available refreshment & 1.5L bottle of water per guest
Additional Information: Before making a reservation at 4restlanka Tours we encourage you to follow this information, Not recommended for pregnant women | Not recommended for participants with serious medical conditions | Vegetarian option is available and if food affects your health conditions please inform us before the tour | The tour and visit some destinations may change depending on weather conditions | The duration of the transfers will depend on the time of day and traffic condition | Recommend to wear shoes for your choice | Lower price rate in Sri Lanka | Prices depend on how many people in your party
JamesSanders, Bristol, United Kingdom –
Excellent All-Inclusive Safari in Yala – Highly Recommended
We had a fantastic all-inclusive safari in Yala National Park and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Dylan organised everything perfectly from start to finish, making the whole day completely stress-free.
Yes, it’s an early start, but it’s absolutely worth it. The park is stunning – lakes, forest, and open plains – and being there early means you really feel immersed in nature before the crowds arrive.
We saw an incredible amount of wildlife including elephants, crocodiles, mongoose and plenty of birdlife, and there was always time to stop, watch and take photos without feeling rushed.
Dylan was friendly, professional and clearly knows how to make the experience enjoyable and seamless for guests.
If you’re planning a safari in Yala National Park, I’d highly recommend booking with Dylan. A long day, but an unforgettable one.
Erin Birmingham, United Kingdom –
Amazing guided tour of Yala National Park
Apr 2026 • Couples
Dylan and his colleague provided us with an unbelievable experience in Yala National Park. My partner and I were picked up in Ella, transferred to Yala (with coffee!) and dropped off in Hiriketiya either side of all day safari. During the 12-tour Dylan expertly navigated us through zones 5 and 6, where we saw a leopard, elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, jackals, monkeys, rare kingfishers and more. Dylan also provided a great breakfast and lunch, catering for our vegan diets. We had an unbelievable day and are super thankful to Dylan and team for the our experience.
Hanne S –
Over all expectations! Couldn’t have asked for a better tour!
We had such an amazing time doing this tour! We chose to do the gates 5 and 6, which we were so happy about. Not only were there almost no other humans in sight, but we also got to see the famous leopard despite not being in the crowded gate 1. Our amazing tour guide stopped at beautiful viewpoints and waterfalls on the way to the safari and he even stopped and got us baked goods and mango because we were hungry! He also gave us such good information about Sri Lanka and the animals. 10/10 experience all around, would highly recommended booking with this company if you are considering a safari.
Alexander S –
Great safari in Yala
Dylan was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. We saw both elephants and a leopard, both extremely special experiences for my partner and myself. Both Dylan and his colleague’s love for the animals was very apparent to see. Lunch was in a lovely sheltered spot. We recommend Dylan to anyone wanting to explore the Beautiful Yala national park.
Jagoda D –
The luckiest trip possible
Jan 2026 • Friends
Dylan was the greatest, the sweetest and most genuine guid in Sri Lanka. He has crazy knowledge and attention to details – in the middle of the explanation he can spot an aligator blending with the floating log in the water from a 100 meters(photo attached).
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He also cares a lot about us, the animals and general experience. We would never thought one day we can se leopard, elephants and learn so much about birds! He also fully organised a driver for us for a pick up from Hiriketiya to Yala and afterwards from Yala to Ella and organised breakfast and water bottles which was extremely helpful.
Lastly he was also the sweetest person, often posed us without us asking and took photos with amazing quality and sent it all to us later.
Great pleasure to met him and experience my first safari with this amazing man! Thank u so much Dylan, you were amazing:)
Kaja D –
Wonderful experience! ❤️
Jan 2026 • Friends
Highly recommended, we couldn’t have asked for a better guide.
We explored Blocks 5 and 6 and were lucky enough to see a leopard, elephants, crocodiles, and much more. Dylan shared a lot of fascinating information about the animals, patiently answered all of our questions, and made sure we had a truly great time throughout the safari.
Another big plus was the smooth pick-up in Hiriketiya and drop-off in Ella, as well as a delicious breakfast. I’m incredibly grateful for this experience and really happy we found such an ethical and kind guide. Thank you!
Jakub S –
Amazing safari, exceptional guide
Jan 2026 • Friends
We were really lucky that we found this safari trip, Dylan is a wonderful guide and you can see that he loves what he’s doing and he really cares about animals and environment. We were a group of 6.
Everything went well and as discussed before, transportation to the park was on time, we started in Hiriketiya and were dropped off in Ella. The driver was really nice – he even offered us some time to watch the waterfall.
Ainsley S Prague, Czech Republic –
Best safari experience with the most wonderful tour guide!
Dylan safari review
I would like to say a massive thank you to Dylan for taking us on a wonderful safari. Not only was Dylan incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the national park and its conservation, but he was easy to chat to, engaging and full of wonderful stories to share. We had to initially cancel our safari due to Cyclone Ditwah, and even following this, Dylan was incredibly helpful and considerate, making sure we were safe and okay during the flooding, offering to organise us a driver to help us get to a safer location, and recommending places to avoid due to floods. When we finally rescheduled, we had no doubt we wanted to go with Dylan after all the care he showed us during this time. Dylan and his driver have incredible knowledge of the national park and its wildlife, and are both very dedicated to the protection of its animals – which came across in everything he did and told us on our trip. We even got to see 2 rare named elephants of the park – and got to hear about their history. We couldn’t have had a more wonderful experience – if you are looking for a sign to book with Dylan, this is it!
Thank you again Dylan for a magical day, we can’t wait to come back and visit one day soon.
Diba A –
The Most Incredible Safari Experience!
I truly cannot recommend this safari tour enough. My friend and I are two girls in our mid-20s solo travelling in Sri Lanka and we were completely overwhelmed with options when searching for a safari tour. We chose Dylan’s safari as the reviews were amazing and we were not disappointed.
Dylan was in constant communication with us, adapting the safari itinerary to best fit our desires for what we wanted to get out of the day. In the lead up to our safari, Sri Lanka was affected by Cyclone Ditwah and we had to message Dylan to cancel our safari as we could not reach Yala. Not only was he completely understanding, but he messaged us several times afterwards to check on our safety and to give us updates about the areas to avoid/ that were safe. He went above and beyond in the kindness he showed us.
Once the cyclone subsided, Dylan reorganised a wonderful safari for us in Block 5 and 6 of the Yala National Park (highly recommend over block 1). His knowledge of the nature in the area as well as all the birds and animals we came across was incredible. He answered all our questions about the animals, tried endlessly to maximise how many animals we could spot and consistently ensured we were comfortable during the safari. The food and refreshments offered were delicious. The driver to and from the national park was wonderful and professional also which also made us feel better.
Again, this is truly the best safari experience we could have asked for and I would recommend it to everyone! If you are thinking about booking with this tour company, do not hesitate! You won’t regret it!
Susa a –
Excellent safari experience
Jan 2026 • Friends
We had an amazing time on this safari trip and everything ran smoothly! They arranged pick up from Hiriketiya to the safari and then onward transfer to Ella. Dylan was a great guide and we were really lucky to see two leopards! Would definitely recommend this tour
Nemanja J –
Yala National Park Safari blocks 5&6
Dylan and his team were so good with communication and were really knowledgeable with the behaviours of all the Safari animals. We were able to spot a leopard, such a rare sighting, alongside elephants and other amazing animals! Definitely recommend doing this trip!
Emma Galway, Ireland –
Don’t hesitate. book this Yala safari with Dylan
Dec 2025 • Family
We had the most incredible safari experience, it surpassed all expectations! I booked last minute for our group of 3 and Dylan (our guide) went through all the best options to suit us, there is not a thing he doesn’t know about Yala I think. We went to block 6 and came across only 6 jeeps the entire time. We saw so many elephants, deer, crocodiles, wild birds, jackals, monkeys and then to top the day off we saw a leopard lazing under a tree. A day of pure magic with a guide who truly cares about the animals and their natiral habitat, he goes above and beyond to ensure the magic of Sri Lanka is shared with the people who have the privilege of having him as their guide. I can’t recommend Dylan as a guide enough. Istuti
Sara R –
A must do with a great guide
Nov 2025 • Friends
Had the most amazing time on this trip! Dylan was an incredible guide and took such great care of us. We were a large group with a lot of people to take care of and he did it with ease. Can’t recommend this tour with Dylan enough!!!
Anna M –
Best experience for a large group
Nov 2025 • Friends
An absolutely amazing experience! Group of 17 people! Dylan went out of his way to make sure we had the best Safari literally ever. From getting us ice cream to ice to trying so hard to help us find a leopard. The accommodations were absolutely beautiful, the jeeps were comfortable, we got guides in the jeeps with us to tell us about the animals. Cannot say enough good things. Dylan is wonderful!!
christina –
Fantastic experience
What an incredible experience.
Pick up was punctual and Dylan was very responsive.
We saw more elephants than we could count and the car ride was very comfortable.
Breakfast was served in the safari park and water supplied.
Would absolutely recommend!
William James D Newport, Rhode Island –
Great Safari
Nov 2025 • Friends
Dilan is the man! We had a large group of 18 and he went above and beyond to get us everything we needed. We had a blast on Safari and stayed and a few awesome jungle lodges. Highly recommend!
Claire M –
Mirissa > Yala
Nov 2025 • Family
Such a good day! Great experience with Dilan! Super accommodating, helpful and kind! Wanting to give you the best experience 👌🏻 great for hotel pick up and drop off also away from the park!
liljana g –
Amazing Safari Tour
Tour was amazing from the start until the very finish, we highly recommend it!!! Our safari guide was very informative about the wildlife with a very good command of english, during the safari we had the chance to see many different animals and fully emerge into the experience.
Andrada H –
Amazing Dilan!!!!
This was an unforgettable experience thanks to Dilan! He took me and 16 of my friends on a weekend safari in Udawalawa/Yala and took care of absolutely everything. We didn’t have to worry about a single thing. I recommend this man 1,000%, you will not regret it!
Joe C –
Udawalawe/Yala Big Group Safari Magic!
Oct 2025 • Friends
An incredible all in one trip. Dilan did an incredible job organising a strong itinerary, for a big group (17+) in short notice, including all of the Safari details and the accommodation. The accommodations were also wonderful. Dilan really really cares and worked so hard throughout. I can’t believe he pulled this off. The price was also really good. You can definitely trust in Dilan to organise a great trip for you.
Hanna h –
Amazing safari with Dylan
Could not recommend this enough! We did a full day safari with Dylan in blocks 5 and 6 of Yala. While the weather was a bit up and down, Dylan and the driver persevered and were determined to make sure we saw as many animals as possible – and they didn’t disappoint! We saw elephants, crocodiles, mongoose, monkeys, jackals, so many different birds and a bear and leopard! They’re clearly experts in what they do, and are well respected by the other tours working in the area. They also provided breakfast and a delicious lunch in a beautiful setting. All round we had a fantastic day 🙂
Sandra V –
Dilan is our favorite tour guide
Dilan was the best and the kindest tour guide ever! He took care of every little detail and need we had and it was 20 of us! Truly the greatest!
Matias P –
An unforgettable experience
The safari was amazing. Dylan, the guy who accompanies you is very nice and cares all the time for the well-being of the clients. To which I add that the Experience and Service you gave us was spectacular. A 10 out of 10
danny, Germany –
Great experience
Super Guide. Was the best experience we have had so far in Sri Lanka. Dylan just a 10/10. He is really motivated and his safari driver is also trying to do his best.
On the way to the park, one or two things were also shown.
Despite the cumbersomeness because the van broke down, he was able to get a replacement in no time and we were able to continue our journey quickly.
Eichhorn123, Jochim Froese, Australia –
Half Day Safari to Lunugamwehera (Yala Block 5)
Jun 2025 • Couples
We booked our Safari to Yala Block 5 directly through the 4rest Lanka Tour website and discussed all the details on WhatsApp before we left for Sri Lanka. Our tour guide Dylan recommended Block 5 because it is less busy than other parts of the park. The package further included our safe and comfortable transport from Ella and return.
Dylan turned out to be the most welcoming, knowledgeable, and organised tour guide you could dream of. He works with an equally excellent Safari driver who spotted a number of animals long before we saw them.
The Forrest Gods of course decide what animals turn up for you on the day but it helps to have an expert team to conduct your tour and maximise your chances. After we had already seen some elephants, Dylan decided on an extra detour to a place where Leopards are more frequent and – thanks to him and the driver who spotted it – we had our Leopard sighting.
I wish TripAdvisor would allow me to give 6 stars for exceptionally rare experiences out of the ordinary – Dylan would deserve a 6!
Ask Eichhorn123 about All Inclusive Yala/Udawalawa Safari From Ella, Mirissa,Hiriketiya, TripAdvisor Review – 4restlankatours.
Alana F, England –
Personalised tour to suit your needs!
May 2025 • Friends
This trip was something we really splashed out on during our time in SriLanka (we used mostly public buses for transport). We needed to get from the South/West coast to Ella and this looked perfect. This tour is meant to be the other way round but we contacted them directly for a more personalised tour. We got picked up from our hotel and the driver was perfectly on time. The communication prior was great too. We drove to the place where we had lunch and there was a great selection of Sri Lankan food. Not far from the lunch place, we met our jeep driver and moved into the jeep where Dylan came too. The safari was so much fun and Dylan and the driver were amazing at finding the animals and telling us their names etc. At the end of the safari we were driving back to meet our car driver but our jeep driver had received a message to say there was a leopard nearby. He drove us so quickly to where the leopard was which we saw (no pictures to prove it as it was all so fast). We were so pleased. The whole experience felt very personal unlike a tour with a large group. I would highly recommend this to anyone as I genuinely thought it was so good! Thankyou Dylan and both drivers! We love your passion!
Ask Alana F about All Inclusive Yala/Udawalawa Safari From Ella, Mirissa,Hiriketiya, TripAdvisor, 4restlankatours
Debbie V, Belgium –
Ella – Yala Safari – Tangalle
Apr 2025 • Couples
We had a very good and smooth contact with Dylan before the trip. He was very responsive.
During the day everything went smoothly (pick-up, safari, …). Very professional!
Ask 151debbiev about All Inclusive Yala/Udawalawa Safari From Ella, Mirissa,Hiriketiya, TripAdvisor, 4restlankatours
Tom C London, UK –
Thank you Dylan!
We are very grateful for Dylan’s help during our time in Sri Lanka! He arranged our transfer between Colombo and Ella and organised a wonderful full day safari in Yala National Park complete with a drop off on the South Coast afterwards.
We were fortunate enough to see two leopards and elephants up close due to Dylan’s and the jeep drivers extensive knowledge of the national park and know how of where to go to see the rare animals. Dylan ensured that we were comfortable and well looked after throughout the day and shared a real passion for both the wildlife and his country.
Thanks again Dylan!
Ask tomcA3646IQ about All Inclusive Yala/Udawalawa Safari From Ella, Mirissa,Hiriketiya, TripAdvisor, 4restlankatours
Rachel –
Incredible Yala National Park explore!
Apr 2025 • Friends
We spent a day with Dylan. He picked us up in Ella and drove us to the National Park via a yummy buffalo curd stop! We explored block 5 & 6, spotting lots of animals with the elephant encounters being a highlight for us. It was quiet and peaceful, with few jeeps around. He then dropped us to Tangalle. Dylan was friendly, safe and knowledgeable; we would recommend the experience to anyone. An amazing day!
Ask Rachel D about All Inclusive Yala/Udawalawa Safari From Ella, Mirissa,Hiriketiya, TripAdvisor, 4restlankatours
Sondre B, Norway –
Amazing full day safari experience!
Mar 2025 • Solo
This was an amazing experience! Got picked up in Ella at 4am and did a 12 hour full day safari. Dylan had good knowledge of the area and we saw both leopards and elephants during the tour, while being mindful to not disturb the animals. Good food and drinking water was all included. I would definitely recommend this tour for anyone wanting a safari experience. Thank you for a wonderful day!
Read more Customer Feedback TripAdvisor, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
kevin s, Helen Bone, Turkey –
Truly amazing and great value for money experience seeing these animals in their natural habitats.
Mar 2025 • Couples
Dylan arranged everything in advance and all went smoothly from the hotel transfer to the return. He suggested we head for the early morning tour as more chance to spot a Leopard and to tour blocks 5 & 6 as expected only 10 jeeps as oppose to 180 jeeps in Block1. Our driver and guide were exceptional and were well read on the park and the animals. As it turned out there were only 8 jeeps in block 5 that day and we saw a Leopard and so many other wonderful animals and bird species, whereas we heard it was the only sighting of the day. Also we were informed the trip would last 5 hours and were surprised that we were in the park for 6 hours.
One of the experiences that made our India and Sri Lanka holiday a success.
Listen to what Dylan recommends.
Read more Customer Feedback TripAdvisor, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
Mark J –
Fantastic experience, great driver/guide
We were collected from our hotel in Ella at 3.30am for the morning safari in Yala, transferred to our jeep and headed to block 5&6. This was recommended by Dylan, our guide as we wanted a more natural experience without hundreds of others. We were not disappointed! Within 10mins we saw a beautiful young female leopard, who came directly across our jeep! Stunning. The driver and guide were quick to spot and anticipate its next moves so we tracked it a bit!
Next we saw water buffalo, elephants, lots of wild birds, crocodile, deer, foxes etc. Dylan kept us informed of everything. He and our driver, Ali(?) were awesome. We had a picnic brunch in the jeep and wandered through the vast park, hardly seeing an other vehicle. True experience. I highly recommend a tour with Dylan!
Yvonne davidson –
Compass766280
Fantastic experience, great driver/guide
We were collected from our hotel in Ella at 3.30am for the morning safari in Yala, transferred to our jeep and headed to block 5&6. This was recommended by Dylan, our guide as we wanted a more natural experience without hundreds of others. We were not disappointed! Within 10mins we saw a beautiful young female leopard, who came directly across our jeep! Stunning. The driver and guide were quick to spot and anticipate its next moves so we tracked it a bit!
Next we saw water buffalo, elephants, lots of wild birds, crocodile, deer, foxes etc. Dylan kept us informed of everything. He and our driver, Ali(?) were awesome. We had a picnic brunch in the jeep and wandered through the vast park, hardly seeing an other vehicle. True experience. I highly recommend a tour with Dylan!
Read more Customer Feedback TripAdvisor, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka, Tripdvisor, 4restlankatours
Marinela, Bulgaria –
Marinela G
Excellent Yala Safari Experience!
Feb 2025 • Couples
We recently went on a Yala safari with my partner, and we couldn’t be happier with our experience, especially thanks to our amazing guide, Dilan. Initially, we had planned to explore Yala Block 1, as it is the most popular area. However, Dilan suggested we try Block 5 and 6 instead. We were a bit hesitant at first, but we’re so glad we trusted his recommendation. It turned out to be the perfect choice.
We had almost the entire park to ourselves and truly enjoyed being immersed in nature, surrounded by the sounds of birds and watching animals in their natural habitat. We were so lucky, we saw over 15 elephants, a fox, numerous deer, and many adorable birds. And just before we were about to leave, we spoted a leopard!
From start to finish, everything went so smoothly. The communication with Dilan was excellent, the transportation was comfortable, and the safari tour itself was unforgettable. I highly recommend Dilan for anyone looking to experience Yala in the best possible way.
Ask Marinela G about All Inclusive Yala/Udawalawa Safari From Ella, Mirissa,Hiriketiya, TripAdvisor, 4restlankatours
Lasse H –
Yala Safari
Jan 2025 • Couples
The safari was a great experience. Pickup from the hotel by a reliable driver and everything went as agreed. The Safari Jeep was nice and in good condition and the driver was professional. We had a nice lunch in the car while watching the elephants in their natural habitat. We saw many species of animals and got information about the animals from our guide, Dylan, who spoke good English. The scenery and the whole experience was amazing. I highly recommend Dylan and 4restlankatours! Thank you for a memorable safari!
Read more Customer Feedback TripAdvisor, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
Rob Knight –
Rob K
Amazing Safari Experience
We had a wonderful safari experience with Dylan. He was very responsive on WhatsApp with our last minute booking and gave great recommendations. We were collected by car in Ella and then transferred to a private safari jeep closer to Yala. We decided to go to block 5 and 6 in Yala instead of block 1 and we were very happy with this decision. We saw leopards, elephants and lots of other wildlife, and particularly in block 6, there were very few other cars around us. I would highly recommend booking your tour with Dylan.
Read more Customer Feedback TripAdvisor, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
John D, Australia –
Great experience with expert guide.
Jan 2025 • Solo
I did two tours with 4restlankatours during my holiday, and was incredibly satisfied. Dilan was an amazing guide, very engaged and still curious and learning every day, enjoying the tours as much as his customers. Dilan adapted the itinerary to suit my specific needs. We visited two National Parks, Bundala and Yala, and Dilan engaged the best drivers and spotters and took us to the areas of the Parks where the masses do not visit, to create a much greater experience. It paid off, with us elephants, hornbills, and even seeing a leopard stalk prey in the wild. Unforgettable experience. We also did an Ella area day tour, and Dilan adapted the tour wonderfully to my needs and budget. The trips were engaged and intuitive, and it is great to have all your needs taken care of so you can just immerse yourself in the experience. Don’t go with anybody else!
Read more Customer Feedback TripAdvisor, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
Konrád W –
Unforgettable Yala Safari with Dylan’s Exceptional Guidance!
Jan 2025 • Couples
Dylan was an amazing guide. He organized a half-day Yala Safari for us. He was friendly, professional, and made the whole experience seamless. We were lucky to see a leopard,elephants and many other mammals and birds during our afternoon/evening tour. Dylan also took care of our transportation from Ella to Weligama and arranged a delicious lunch, making it a truly unforgettable day. Highly recommend him!
Read more Customer Feedback TripAdvisor, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
Arianna, Us –
A F
Worth booking to see the national parks, cheaper to book as a group
Jan 2025 • Solo
I did two tours while in Sri Lanka and I wish I had booked both with Dylan.
Tour pros: accurate timing (hotels sometimes get the duration wrong- you don’t want to feel shortchanged), good communication in English (healthy balance of sharing facts/appreciating nature quietly), friendly guide who cares about sustainable tourism, provides shared binoculars, and includes photos of the animals seen (the driver has a hi res camera).
What I appreciated the most was that he was very accommodating to my schedule and was instrumental in figuring out some complicated post-tour logistics (my tour was out of Mirissa to Yala and then to the airport in Colombo). The only con is that the tour is more expensive for a solo traveler, so try to find other people to book as a group. Even still, I don’t think the price is unfair. If you have any hesitations/questions (as I did before booking), I would recommend reaching out to Dylan on WhatsApp.
I booked an afternoon tour in which we saw elephants, monkeys, deer, birds of prey, monitor lizards, water buffalo, and a leopard. Seeing a leopard is not a tour guarantee, but I believe I would not have seen one without Dylan’s planning, knowledge, and tour connections. Regardless of the animals, the tour is definitely worth booking to see Sri Lanka’s beautiful national parks.
Please visit our TripAdvisor page for more customer feedback, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
Francesca S, Italy –
Bundala and Yala Parks
Jan 2025 • Solo
The excursions were absolutely fantastic! I visited both Bundala and Yala, and 4RestLankaTours organized a perfect day for me, taking care of every detail, including providing food. The guide’s expertise was outstanding, allowing me to spot and identify many animals while learning about their species, particularly the birds.
Their attention to detail and knowledge truly made the experience unforgettable. I felt immersed in nature and learned so much along the way. If you’re looking for a reliable and professional tour organizer in Sri Lanka, I highly recommend 4RestLankaTours.
Please visit our TripAdvisor page for more customer feedback, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
Javier M, Spain –
Amazing safari in Yala National Park
Jan 2025 • Couples
We loved the experience of the evening Safari in Yala National Park. Dilan was a great guide and the driver as well. We enjoyed a lot and were very lucky to see all the incredible animals living in the park .We saw elephants just 30cm away, a leopard so close, water buffalos, deers, crocodiles, lots of peacocks and birds. It was amazing. Plus, driver picked us in Ella, where we were staying, and dropped us off in Mirissa, our next destination. Thanks a lot for the experience Dilan!
Please visit our TripAdvisor page for more customer feedback, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
Jordan, Czech Republic –
A trip you won’t regret!
Dec 2024 • Friends
We went to Yala for the safari. We had the best guide and driver! It was so much fun and definitely worth the money! I would 1,000% recommend this trip! We got really lucky and saw 2 leopards an owl and a black stork! If you are wanting to have a fun and amazing trip definitely book this. The guide will work with you and keep in contact with you to make sure you have the perfect trip!
Thanks for the best trip ever! Chilly,Spicy and Pepper!!
Please visit our TripAdvisor page for more customer feedback, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
Evan K, Uk –
Amazing Half Day Safari
Nov 2024 • Couples
My wife and I went on the Half Day Safari with Dylan and absolutely loved it. We had originally wanted to go for the morning safari but Dylan explained that due to rain during the nights there’s a better chance to see the animals in the evening, and he was absolutely right! We saw every animal the park had to offer including a leopard!
Dylan was unbelievable throughout and was so helpful organising the whole day including pick up and drop off from our hotel. He even got us fruit and coconuts to have on the safari.
Would definitely recommend!!
Please visit our TripAdvisor page for more customer feedback, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
Andrea M, Germany –
Can only recommend!
Nov 2024 • Couples
We booked a tour with Dylan in Mid November 2024 – and we enjoyed every minute.
Dylan was in constant contact with us to check out what time would be best for the safari. We went for the evening tour and saw lots of elephants, monkeys, deer, water buffalos, peacocks, crocodiles, wild boars/pigs – we even spotted a leopard (from far away). Afterwards we watched the sun set and then went off to Marissa. It was a long but amazing day. Thanks so much for the fun time, great conversation (we learnt a lot about the animals and also Sri Lanka in general) and taking care of us throughout!
Please visit our TripAdvisor page for more customer feedback, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
Sarah mae Agad Dubai, United Arab Emirates –
Unforgettable Yala Safari: A Rockstar Experience with Dylan”
Nov 2024 • Solo
I had such an amazing time on the Yala safari with Dylan! The team really went above and beyond to ensure we saw the leopards. Honestly, I didn’t think we’d spot so many, especially with the weather not being on our side, but these guys are absolute rockstars! Their dedication and passion made the experience unforgettable. Loving every moment of it—this adventure is definitely worth every penny. Highly recommend if you’re looking for an unforgettable safari experience!”
Please visit our TripAdvisor page for more customer feedback, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
Andrea M –
Can only recommend!
We booked a tour with Dylan in Mid November 2024 – and we enjoyed every minute.
Dylan was in constant contact with us to check out what time would be best for the safari. We went for the evening tour and saw lots of elephants, monkeys, deer, water buffalos, peacocks, crocodiles, wild boars/pigs – we even spotted a leopard (from far away). Afterwards we watched the sun set and then went off to Marissa. It was a long but amazing day. Thanks so much for the fun time, great conversation (we learnt a lot about the animals and also Sri Lanka in general) and taking care of us throughout!
Kirsty D –
5/5 experience.
Sep 2024 • Couples
We had the most amazing day with Dylan at Yala National Park.
I booked the day before with Dylan (lucky he had the space for us) for my partners Birthday .
Dylan delivered above and beyond for an amazing day!
Please visit our TripAdvisor page for more customer feedback, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
Colm L –
We got in touch with Dylan to organise a half day safari with a transfer from Ella to Mirissa. We contacted him two months in advance and he organised everything perfectly. He was so quick to respond and everything ran on time and as described.
We originally booked a morning safari but he suggested a change to an afternoon safari as there was a better chance of seeing more animals. Thanks to this suggestion, we managed to see a leopard and elephant along with many other animals.
Dylan provided lunch for us and also brought some lovely fruit and Sri Lankan snacks for us to try. He was a wonderful guide and so fun to chat to and the convenience of having such a dedication guide was unmatched. Would highly recommend Dylan for a guide for Yala, it was such a great day!
Kirsty D –
5/5 experience.
We had the most amazing day with Dylan at Yala National Park.
I booked the day before with Dylan (lucky he had the space for us) for my partner’s Birthday .
Dylan delivered above and beyond for an amazing day!
Leon –
We contacted Dylan because of the Yala Safari. The safari was great, we’ve seen a lot of wild animals like elephants, crocodiles, monkeys and a wild boar family. To our luck we were even able to see a leopard sleeping. Dylan and his driver made sure we got a really good look at it! On top of that we got a real off-road adventure over the bumpy paths in search for another leopard. After the safari he dropped us of in another city from which we could reach our next destination Pasikuda. He was extremely helpful as he told us where to change busses and even took the first bus with us. All in all we totally recommend the safari to Yala and Dylan as a guide, thank you so much!
Charlotte C –
Amazing experience
Aug 2024 • Couples
Dilan and the driver really did whatever it took to spot the leopard and as many animals as possible. Amazing experience, highly recommended.
Please visit our TripAdvisor page for more customer feedback, 4restlankatours, Sri Lanka
r2thebizel –
4rest Lanka Tours: Trip of a Lifetime!
Dylan at 4rest Lanka Tours was amazing. By the end of the tour, you feel like one of his family! He is not a specialist in any one area but a wealth of information on Sri Lanka as a whole. He built a custom trip for me from Ella to Mirassa including a half day Yala safari in the afternoon. Safe driver and included unexpected trips to 1 waterfalls andthe SW beach within Yala at a good price.
From my experience on the safari, you are guaranteed to see something which, in its natural habitat doing its own thing, can’t be underestimated. I was lucky enough to see the leopard, bear, elephants, mongoose, fox, monkey, eagle, buffalo, the list goes on.
Out of Dylan’s control but be prepared to be breathing in fumes and dust; arguably worth it however!
Passport221187 –
Ella to Hiriketiya Beach with a Yala morning safari.
Lovely easy experience with Dylan, pick up super early on time in Ella and we could get some sleep until our safari tour. Dylan was very informative about the animals we saw and provided a good breakfast. Also the driver in the national park he knew was great in trying to find animals we wanted to see. Then we had an easy drive to our drop off to Hiriketiya Beach. Great trip
Alicia Mills, Georgia –
“I can’t recommend this company enough!”
We started the tour from Ella. Our driver arrived ahead of time and was waiting for us. Dylan joined us on the way on our journey. Communication throughout was amazing with his. He was so friendly and he really made our Safari experience so much better than we could have hoped. He was so passionate and knowledgeable about the national park and the animals and also Sri lankan politics. We weren’t expecting to learn so much, but we feel so lucky that Dylan was able to share so much information with us.
We saw a leopard, elephants, a sloth bear, crocodiles and many different species of birds. Everything we were hoping to see and more!
The breakfast that was provided was super tasty.
I wouldn’t hesitate to book with this company again, and I will recommend them to anyone I know who is looking to book a safari in Yala national park.
Rob Willis & Oty Onallera, –
“An amazing ride with Dylan”
I asked for a gentle guide who would stop frequently for photographing birds and understand the behavior of the animals and Dylan and Safari Driver was terrific. He had a heightened sense of hearing and seeing even small creatures. We saw crocodiles, elephants, deer, antelopes, and water buffalos. When Dylan got word of a sighting he quietly and skillfully managed to position our jeep for ideal viewing. Definitely, Dylan and 4restlankatours, are the best person and company to go on an incredible safari in Yala.
Lena, Austria –
“We had a wonderful day”
We did the Safari Tour (Yala National Park) with Dilan and it was great! The pick-up in the early morning at the hotel in Ella was perfectly on time and they even drove us to Mirissa after the tour. We saw so many different animals like elephants, buffalos, deer, eagles and also the rare leopard! Dilan told us so many interesting things about Sri Lankan wildlife, we enjoyed it a lot and had a really good time. We can highly recommend the tour and Dilan as a guide, he was very kind and friendly and even made us delicious breakfast sandwiches! Thank you for the great day, we would definitely do it anytime again!
Ortal Elimelech –
Dylan is a friendly person. We trusted his experience and booked a morning safari tour. we started the tour early morning from Mirissa.
we reached Yala at 6.30 am. He showed us also sloth bears which are hard to find as well. We saw also many other animals: spotted deer, samba deer, elephant, mongoose, several different birds, buffalo, wild pig, and monkey. The provided breakfast was very tasty.
Yala national park is beautiful. Some roads are in a bad condition but Dylan managed his driver safely and comfortably for the passengers.
Holly E, Netherlands –
“Absolutely amazing”
Had a lovely experience with Dilan, we did a package pick up tour and everything went really smoothly. Nice car, air con we did the yala safari and he gave us good information on the types of animals and was pointing them out as we went. Dilan also gave us a lovely breakfast and then after took us out for lunch which was very kind then continued to drive to mirrisa . I recommend anyone wanting to have a yala tour guide, very friendly and helpful
Jenny C, Landon –
“Excellent Yala Safari!!”
Dilan helped us with a transfer from Ella to Mirrisa, with a stop of for a safari at Yala on the way which was ideal for us.
He was so friendly and helpful and full of information about Sri Lanka and the animals. He also kindly provided us with breakfast and lunch.
We had a great time and plenty of laughs along the way.
Houzayfa N, Paris, France –
‘More than a guide’
We contacted Dilan as we needed to have a transfer from Ella to Mirissa but with a stop in Yala for a morning Safari. Dilan replied quickly and arranged everything for us.
He sent a VERY comfortable van that picked us exactly at the time agreed on (4 am). The driver was very polite and got us quickly to the entry point, picking up Dilan on the way. There we switched to a jeep, all for ourselves, to proceed into the park. We then spent a few hours trying every road to find as many animals we could. Dilan and the driver pointed out to us most of the animals as we couldn’t see them initially, while providing us with clear explanations once we got to take our pictures. We saw many crocodiles, unique birds, two group of deers, a tons of buffalos, varans, two lone elephants and then three together with the cutest baby elephant. And then lo and behold, there was a sighting of the infamous leopard ! Dilan and the driver did their best to get us a spot so we could admire the majestic creature ! Definitely the highlight of our trip. Dilan made sure to bring plenty of tasty home-mande sandwiches for breakfast as we had to leave early.
We then got back to our van which took us to the front door of our guest house in Mirissa.A perfect experience without any hiccup. Thanks!
Anton Berg E, Germany –
‘Incredible day in Yala National Park’
We were lucky to join Dilan on a guided tour through Yala National Park. At first we thought there was way too many cars surrounding the first few animals. But then we went further into the park and away from all the other cars where we saw for example leopards, elephants and then we were very lucky to see a sloth bear.
We can highly recommend Dilan as a guide, extremely kind and caretaking, and also the chauffeur for taking us on a real safari and not just chasing around what some other cars maybe saw.
We had a really good day seeing the beautiful park and its inhabitants.🐆🐃🐘🐊
Frederik J , Roskilde, Denmark –
“Great trip with good guide”
Cool walk around Yala national park. We had a super guide and a good driver who made sure we had a great trip. We saw both Leopards, bears and elephants. All in all, a super experience.
PTcesty, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic –
“Trip to Ella and Yala Reserve”
We visited the beautiful mountain town of Ella, surrounded by tea plantations. We had an amazing sunrise from Ella Rock. We walked on the unique Nine Arches Bridge and spent the rest of the day watching Yala Reserve. We had a very nice and smiling guide Dilanam who was willing to give us all day and see to it. Thank you for a wonderful experience.