Safaris
Your safari never ends here
Daily ride-share jeeps into Yala National Park, straight from our gate.
Packages
One morning, or the whole day.
- Morning
Half-Day
- Price
- $18 USD/person*
- Departure
- Early morning
- Includes
- Jeep with experienced driver-guide, pickup and drop-off at the hostel, full coordination start to finish
- Food & drink
- A snack pack, water, and fruit, so vegetarian and vegan guests are covered too
- All day
Full-Day
- Price
- $30 USD/person*
- Departure
- Early morning to early evening
- Includes
- Everything in the half-day, plus a midday stop at a beach inside the park to rest, take photos, and use restroom facilities. Lunch is available to buy there if you want it, but it isn't part of the package.
- Food & drink
- A snack pack, water, and fruit, so vegetarian and vegan guests are covered too
*Based on a full jeep of 6. Smaller groups pay a slightly higher per-person rate to cover vehicle costs. Lunch not included on the full-day safari.
Leopard tracking
Routes change with the sightings.
We track sightings daily and adjust routes accordingly, so you're heading where the leopards have actually been seen, not just where the map says to look. Sightings can't ever be guaranteed, Yala's wildlife roams free, but evenings back at the hostel are usually full of guests comparing notes on what they spotted.
What to bring
- Cash for your park entrance ticket (approx. LKR 13,000 per person, paid directly at the gate)
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, binoculars if you have them
- A light jacket for the cool early morning departure
- A camera or phone with zoom
- Comfortable clothing in neutral colours
Good to know
We're based right at Gate 2, the Katagamuwa entrance, in Kataragama, about 40 minutes from Tissamaharama. You skip the queues at the main entrance while still reaching Yala Block 1, one of the richest wildlife zones in the park.
Not staying with us? Our ride-share safaris are open to any traveller in the area. Message us on WhatsApp to check availability.
Kataragama isn't just a way into Block 1. We also run into Lunugamvehera National Park and Yala's Block 5, and can point you toward whichever is worth it that time of year, including working around any temporary closures on Block 1 or 2.
We also arrange dedicated elephant safaris to Udawalawe National Park, for anyone who wants elephants over leopards for a day.
Common questions
Can I join a safari if I'm not staying at Wildcat Hostel?
Yes, message us on WhatsApp to check availability.
Why enter through Gate 2 instead of the main entrance?
Fewer visitors, shorter queues, same access to Yala Block 1.
Can you take us to other parks, not just Yala Block 1?
Yes. We also run into Lunugamvehera National Park and Yala's Block 5, and can suggest the best option for the time of year you're visiting.
Do you offer elephant safaris?
Yes, as a separate trip to Udawalawe National Park, known for its elephant herds.
How does the cost-splitting work?
We match solo travellers and small groups to fill our 6-seat jeeps, keeping costs as low as $18 for a full jeep.
Ready 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.