Location
Old Katagamuwa Road, within 20 minutes of the gate.
On the quieter side of Yala, near the Katagamuwa entrance into Block 1. Close enough that you are through the gate while the queues are still forming at the main one.
Getting here
Tissamaharama
The nearest town with buses and hotels. Roughly 40 minutes out by tuk-tuk or car.
Katagamuwa Road
Turn onto Old Katagamuwa Road and follow it past the Katagamuwa park entrance.
Wildcat Hostel Yala
On the left, about 20 minutes past the Katagamuwa entrance, where the tar runs out.
The two roads in
Front entrance
Comes in past our signboard, pictured above. That is the landmark to watch for, and this is the route to take if it is your first time here.
Back entrance
The other drivable way in, arriving at our back gate. Follow it to the end rather than taking any turn off it.
These two maps are locked to the right roads. The Maps app on your phone is not, so if you switch to live navigation and it starts sending you somewhere that stops looking like a road, stop and message us.
Message us on the wayOnce you are here
The day runs early, and it runs on the animals.
Worth knowing before you book. Two of these are house rules rather than suggestions, and both exist because the park starts at the fence.
How a day runs
05:30
The jeeps go
Out before first light. Breakfast waits until you are back.
12:00
Check-in opens
Beds are ready from midday, and the window shuts at 16:30. The pool is open before either.
18:00
The park closes
Yala's own gate hours, not ours. The jeeps are already on their way back by then.
19:00
Back on the property
Our own rule, not the park's: nobody leaves the property again until 05:15.
22:00
Quiet hours
The place winds down on its own, given what 05:30 does to an evening.
Ride-share safaris leave daily from our own gate at Katagamuwa.
See safari packagesReady when you are
Come and stay on the edge of it.
Message us and we will sort the beds and the safari in the same conversation. Or book through a platform if you would rather.