Two national parks · one day
Yala and Udawalawe: two national parks in one day
A 1-day safari covering both of Sri Lanka's headline reserves — leopards in the morning, elephant herds by afternoon. A dawn game drive in Yala, then across to Udawalawe, the surest elephant park in the country, for the second drive. Hotel pickup from anywhere between Galle and Hambantota, or from Tissamaharama and Kataragama if you're already near the park.
- Both parks in one day — leopards and elephants
- Dawn game drive in Yala, afternoon in Udawalawe
- Pickup from the south coast or the Yala area
- Picnic lunch, drinking water and a cool box included
- PickupSouth coast or Tissa
- En routeYala + Udawalawe
- Drop-offBack to your hotel
11-12 Hours
$240$120/ person
Free cancellation up to 24h · no booking fees
How the day runs
Your journey, hour by hour
One driver, one vehicle, your luggage with you — and a proper game drive in the middle of it.
05:00 – 05:30
Hotel pickup
An early start in an air-conditioned vehicle — 05:00 from the south coast, 05:30 if you're staying around Tissa.
06:00 – 10:00
Yala game drive
Prime leopard hours in Sri Lanka's most famous reserve.
~10:30
Picnic lunch
A proper break between the two parks — picnic lunch, drinking water and a cool box provided.
12:00 – 13:30
Drive to Udawalawe
Across the dry-zone plains to the second park.
14:00 – 18:00
Udawalawe game drive
Elephant herds, tuskers, eagles and buffalo around the great reservoir.
~19:00
Return
Dropped back at your hotel, thoroughly wildlife-saturated.
We collect from
Every town on the south coast, and how far it is
Wherever you're staying along the southern coastline, we collect from your hotel door at no extra charge. Distances and driving times are measured from our Tissamaharama base.
Hambantota & the east
- Bundala40 min
- Hambantota1 hr
- Ambalantota1 hr 5
- Kalametiya1 hr 15
- Ranna1 hr 20
- Kahandamodara1 hr 25
- Rekawa1 hr 30
Tangalle & around
- Goyambokka1 hr 40
- Tangalle1 hr 45
- Marakolliya1 hr 50
- Nilwella1 hr 55
- Silent Beach1 hr 55
- Dickwella2 hr
- Hiriketiya2 hr 5
- Talalla2 hr 10
Matara & Mirissa
- Gandara2 hr 10
- Dondra2 hr 15
- Matara2 hr 20
- Polhena2 hr 20
- Mirissa2 hr 35
- Weligama2 hr 40
- Midigama2 hr 45
Galle & Hikkaduwa
- Ahangama2 hr 50
- Koggala2 hr 55
- Habaraduwa3 hr
- Thalpe3 hr 5
- Dalawella3 hr 5
- Unawatuna3 hr 10
- Galle3 hr 15
- Gintota3 hr 25
- Hikkaduwa3 hr 40
Drive times are door to door from our Tissamaharama base, one way. Staying somewhere not listed? Tell us the address — we almost always reach it.
Distances are approximate and by road. Staying somewhere not listed — a villa down a back lane in Talalla, a surf camp at Midigama, a guesthouse in Kalametiya? Tell us the address when you book and we’ll get you there. We also serve Tissamaharama, Kirinda, Kataragama and Weerawila around the park itself. Spots well beyond the southern coast can be arranged too — just ask, as a small surcharge may apply.
What’s included
- Open-top 4×4 safari jeep & licensed tracker-guide for both game drives
- Both game drives — Yala and Udawalawe
- Air-conditioned transport between the parks
- Picnic lunch between the two safaris, drinking water & cool box
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Good to know
- Park entrance fees for BOTH parks (add at checkout or pay at the gates)
- Extra food & drinks beyond the picnic lunch
- Personal expenses & gratuities
- Bumpy off-road terrain — not ideal for pregnant guests, back problems or wheelchair users
- Under-2s ride free; under-12s must travel with an adult
- Weather in Yala can be changeable — bring a light layer
10,000+ five-star reviews
Loved by travellers from every corner of the world
“Our tracker spotted a leopard within the first hour. He knew exactly where to wait — the whole jeep was speechless. Best morning of our Sri Lanka trip.”
“Picked us up in Ella, safari through the park, dropped at our beach hotel by evening. Zero stress and we saw dozens of elephants. Incredible value.”
“Comfortable jeep, flexible timing, and a guide who genuinely loves the wildlife. Booking was simple and the price was honest. Cannot recommend enough.”
Good questions
Route FAQs
It's a long but very rewarding day — roughly 11 to 12 hours. You get the best of both: Yala at dawn when leopards are active, and Udawalawe in the afternoon when elephants gather at the water. If you'd rather go slower, we can split it across two days instead.
Yes — each park charges its own entrance fee, so you'll pay both. You can pre-pay them at checkout or settle in cash at each gate.
Two areas. Along the south coast we collect door to door from anywhere between Galle and Hambantota — Bundala, Hambantota, Ambalantota, Kalametiya, Ranna, Kahandamodara, Rekawa, Goyambokka, Tangalle, Marakolliya and everywhere between — leaving around 05:00. If you're already near the park, we collect from Tissamaharama, Debarawewa, Weerawila, Kirinda, Kataragama, Yala at about 05:30. Staying somewhere else? Tell us the address and we'll arrange it.
Yes — a picnic lunch between the two game drives, plus drinking water and a cool box for the day. There's nothing to add at checkout; it's already in the price. Only extra food and drinks beyond that are on you.
Our safari jeeps have rain covers, so a passing shower is no problem — Yala is often at its most active just after rain. If the weather turns too severe to safari safely, we'll reschedule your tour or give you a full refund.
Sunscreen, a cap and sunglasses, comfortable shoes and a refillable water bottle. If you're a Sri Lankan resident or from a SAARC country, bring your ID or passport for the reduced park rate. And if you haven't pre-paid your park tickets at checkout, bring cash for the entrance fee at the gate.
Yes — children of all ages are welcome. Under-2s ride free and under-12s travel with an adult. Let us know their ages when you book and we'll make sure the vehicle suits.
Other safari + transfer routes
Going somewhere else?
Every one of these turns a travel day into a safari day, with your luggage carried the whole way.
One day, two places, zero wasted miles
Two national parks, one unforgettable day
Instant confirmation, luggage carried, free cancellation up to 24 hours before you travel.