This site can be reached from Colombo on the following routes.

1. Colombo – Galle – Matara – Tangalle – Tissamaharama – Kirinda – Yala
2. Colombo – Ratnapura – Pelmadulla – Kahawatte – Udawalwa Junction – Embilipitiya – Veligattha Junction – Turn right towards Bundala National Park – Kirinda – Yala. (5 ½ - 6 hours)

3. Yala or Ruhunu National Park is one of the best and most popular parks in the country due to its diversity and density of mammals. It consists of five blocks covering an area of 97,881 hectares. Block 1, which was established in February 1938 and covers an area of 14,101 hectares, is widely used by tourists due to its very extensive network of roads.  Block II was established in September 1954, Block III in April 1967, Block IV in October 1969 and Block V in October 1973. The vegetation of the park is primarily semi arid thorn scrub interspersed with riverine forests and fairly dense pockets of forests. There are many places to stay just out side the park in Palatupana as well as a number of bungalows in side the park. These bungalows, as with the case of all national park bungalows, and camp sites have to be pre booked at the head office of the DWLC and a cook and a caretaker are provided and the visitors are required to take all the rations needed.  As with all most all National Parks, excluding the Horton Plains National park, a permit and a guide should be obtained at the park entrance.

   Birds to look for

   Black-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, White-necked Stork, Openbill, Hoopoe, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Rosy Starling, European Bee-eater, Orange-headed Ground Thrush, Blue-faced Malkoha, Red-backed, Black-backed Yellow, Yellow-fronted Pied and Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpeckers, Indian Pitta, Lesser Whistling Teal etc and many more.