Yala Is Fully Open Again — Blocks 1 & 2, Bungalows and Campsites Are Back

November 1, 2026

Good news for safari lovers: Yala National Park is fully back in business. Blocks 1 and 2 — the park's busiest and most wildlife-rich sections — reopened for daytime safaris on October 16, 2026, after a month-long closure that began on September 14. The Department of Wildlife Conservation had shut these zones during a severe drought that dried up water holes and left the park's elephants, leopards and deer struggling for water and food. Officers also used the quiet weeks to repair the park's road network, so visitors coming back now will find smoother tracks.

As of today, November 1, Yala's tourist bungalows and campsites have reopened too, according to park officials. That means you can once again spend the night inside the park — waking up to peacock calls and heading out on the very first game drive of the morning, when leopards are most active. Blocks 3 to 6 stayed open throughout the closure, so every part of the park is now available. Bungalows are limited and popular in the December holiday season, so it is worth booking as early as you can.

Planning tips: aim for the early morning (gates open around 6 AM) or late afternoon drives for the best sightings, and travel with a licensed jeep operator from Tissamaharama or Kataragama. With the northeast monsoon arriving on the east coast and the south coast beach season beginning, Yala pairs perfectly with a few days in Mirissa or Tangalle. If you were waiting to rebook a safari you postponed in September, now is the time.