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Yala Village is situated at Kirinda, bordering the Yala Wildlife Sanctuary and the Indian Ocean, on the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka. Spanning 10 acres of jungle and endless miles of beach, the Yala Village is truly a nature resort of untamed beauty and unmatched luxury. Step out into the jungle from your luxury chalet to watch the elephants walking by or the illusive leopard sunning itself on the rocky outcrop close by. Our observation deck is available for those who wish to get a bird’s eye view of the breathtaking area.
But tread carefully. You are at the Yala Village. Where Elephants roam free.
But tread carefully. You are at the Yala Village. Where Elephants roam free.
Facilities
Beach bungalow - The Beach Bungalows face the Indian Ocean and you may be able to feel the salt spray many a day. These are sure to enchant those who love the sea.
Jungle Cabanas - The Jungle Cabanas are located further inland where many an elephant walks by daily. The Cabanas have a rustic look that blends well with the leafy surroundings.
Suite Julian - Suite Julian is the epitome of luxury and is located high above the ground giving the discerning guests a panoramic view of the surrounding vegetation, vistas of the sea and rocky outcrops where leopards are spotted frequently.
Camping - The campsite, set up a day prior to your arrival, is laid out with single or twin sharing canvas tents with queen size beds, fresh linen, hot showersandchemical toilets. There are no permanent structures; everything is brought into the park for your convenience
Accommodation
Kudawella - The Kudawella Blow Hole, a site that is breathtakingly mysterious. Volumes of sea water whistle through a natural fine hole from beneath a massive rock in the sea.
Tangalle - Exotic beaches and secluded bays along the coast makes Tangalle a hot spot for up-market tourism and accommodation. Access to the Rakawa lagoon and the Kalametiya wetlands are within half an hour from Tangalle. Bird watching, Turtle watching, and the sheer enjoyment of nature at its best, add to the beauty of this area.
Rakawa - Rakawa is a seaside rural community engaged in fisheries and agriculture. Its long sandy beach and mangrove skirted lagoon gives it a rustic beauty. There is high local biodiversity as, in addition to mangrove forest, the local vegetation consists of scrub jungle, medicinal plants, and fruit trees. Also a wide variety of wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, 150 resident and migratory bird species, and many arthropods and aquatic creatures can be seen here.
Mulgirigala - The most imposing rock temple in the south of the island is situated on an isolated rock 210m high, rising almost vertically from the surrounding forest. Terraces are found across the sloped southern side of this rock, where cave temples nestle beneath ledges of overhanging rock. The ancient origins of this temple are unclear, but it is learned from Brahmi scriptures carved into the rock that this has been the site of a Buddhist monastery for millennia. The general belief is that Mulgirigalla Vihara was founded around 130 BC and has been a place of tranquillity and sanctity ever since
Excursions
Angulmaduwa - Angulmaduwa is a village of traditional artisans and is believed to be where brass making began in Sri Lanka. Iron-smelting and steel-tempering have been recorded as being practiced in this area since ancient times
Bundala - Bundala National Park is perhaps the most important wetland in Sri Lanka for both resident and migratory birds. It is famous for its aquatic birdlife which feed on the rich harvest provided by the numerous lagoons throughout the park. The park covers some 6,216 ha and during the winter months more than 160 species of birds can be found within its boundaries. The park is the last refuge of the Great Flamingo in this part of the Island and encountering one of the huge flocks of Flamingo’s can be truly breathtaking. Among some of the birding highlights are the rare Black-necked stork and the Great Thick-knee, and the more common Painted Storks, Pelicans, Egrets, Herons, Water Hens, Spoon Bills, Open Bills, Cormorants, Lapwings and Sand Pipers
Ussangoda - According to ancient Hindu legend, the evil emperor of the world Ravana (One of terrifying roar), who had the ability to fly across the sky in his special chariot, landed at this point.
Ussangoda provides a panoramic view of the beach and the sea. The extent of this place is approximately 20 acres and very little grows on the barren red earth. Scrub jungle surrounds Ussangoda from the land side and on the sea side the plateau drops a sheer 60 feet over a rocky escarpment out to the open sea below. In ancient times this area was struck by a meteorite and the barren and unusual landscape stills bares witness to this catastrophic event
Ussangoda provides a panoramic view of the beach and the sea. The extent of this place is approximately 20 acres and very little grows on the barren red earth. Scrub jungle surrounds Ussangoda from the land side and on the sea side the plateau drops a sheer 60 feet over a rocky escarpment out to the open sea below. In ancient times this area was struck by a meteorite and the barren and unusual landscape stills bares witness to this catastrophic event
Sithulpawwa - Sithulpawwa rock temple is historically significant and identified as one of the greatest 2nd century sites of Buddhist scholarship. With a history of over 2200 years, this is an ancient place of worship in the Hambantota district. The modern name Sithulpawwa is derived from the ancient ‘Cittalpabbata’, ‘The hill of the quiet mind’. It is said that in the 1st century AD as many as 12,000 Arahants lived here (monks that have achieved the highest mind level in Buddhism). Unlike the great monasteries in Anuradhapura and other towns, life at Sithulpawwa was hard and a monk or nun lived there only if they were interested in silence and solitude. Located opposite the Maha Sithulpawwa rock which is 400 feet (122M) in height is a cave temple.
Tissa - Tissa is often used as a stepping stone to other destinations, such as Yala National Park. However, it is truly a destination in its own. Tissa, short for Tissamaharama, has more history and archaeological ruins than many other Sri Lankan towns. Two things immediately catch the eye: a huge expanse of water, the Tissa Wewa, and a bright white dagoba, the Maharama Wehare. Tissa was a stronghold for the southern kings of Ruhuna and both the tank and the dagoba are remnants of its earliest kings. While the north waned with foreign invasion, the Kingdom of Ruhuna remained a strong base for the southern kings
Kirinda - The small fishing village of Kirinda is blessed with a pretty beach, spectacular views and a charming history, yet it is bypassed by most visitors. There is a rocky outcrop from which can be obtained some magnificent views of the desolate coast with its long stretch of sand dunes and the ocean beyond. On a clear day the lighthouse on the Great Basses Reef appears like a needle in the far distance. That's not all, for if you reverse your gaze you can see Tissamaharama in detail, especially the glistening dome of the Tissamaharama Dagobahis repentance as well as appease the gods.
Udawalawa - Udawalawa is a small town located in the southern part of the Ratnapura District in Sri Lanka. It is situated in close to the district's boundary with the Hambantota District and Monaragala District. Udawalawa is also called Udawalawe by some. The town is the main entry points to the Udawalawe National Park which is a major National Park in Sri Lanka which is renowned for its high population of wild Asian elephants. This national park is the closest national park to colombo. It's situated 160km away from capital city.
Kumana - Located in the southeast corner of Sri Lanka, the 18,149 hectare KUMANA (YALA EAST) NATIONAL PARK is a well-known eco tourism attraction and bird sanctuary where a multitude of birds breed and roost. One of the most significant features of the park is the ‘Kumana Villu' - a 200 hectare natural swamp lake, fed by the ‘Kumbukkan Oya' through a half mile long narrow channel. It is at this mangrove swamp that many water birds nest in May and June. Regular sightings include such species of bird as pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills, white ibis, herons, egrets and little cormorants. The very rare black-necked stork has also been spotted at the swamp. Besides the prolific birdlife, Kumana is also home to some of the mammals found in the larger YALA NATIONAL PARK (west) park, such as elephants and leopards
