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Safari tent with torches lit at dusk, Kulu Safaris Yala
Modified V8 Toyota Land Cruisers, open-sided for unobstructed views
Treetop dining platform set in trees, Kulu Safaris Yala
Safari tent with torches lit at dusk, Kulu Safaris Yala
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Kulu Safaris Yala YALA

Starting from $1200
20 guests
6 rooms
6 bathrooms

Kulu Safaris has been operating tented safaris in Sri Lanka longer than anyone else and the Yala camp, set on 10 acres of regenerating forest on the border of Yala National Park, is where the operation is at its most complete. The camp occupies a position directly beside Kocchipathana Lake, a wildlife-rich tank that draws crocodiles, water buffalo, and an extraordinary density of waterbirds at all hours of the day. Six tents, custom-built in South Africa and secured on raised timber platforms, are arranged through the forest with enough distance between them that privacy is absolute and the sounds that carry across the camp are almost entirely natural.

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  • Handpicked Villas. Only the best make the cut.
  • No Surprises. What you see is what you get.
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Amenities at Kulu Safaris Yala

Modified V8 Toyota Land Cruisers, open-sided for unobstructed views

Modified V8 Toyota Land Cruisers, open-sided for unobstructed views

Aerial view over Yala National Park, Kulu Safaris camp

The camp sits directly on the edge of a wildlife-rich lake that does most of the work before you even get in a jeep

Parking
Wi-Fi
Air conditioning
Bathtub
BBQ facilities
Housekeeping staff
Hairdryer
Hot water
Generator
Outdoor shower

Location

Kocchipathana Lake, Yala National Park Buffer Zone

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Yala

What would it take to reside in one of Sri Lanka's wildest corners? Ceylon Haven has curated an eco-friendly collection of luxury Yala villas that let you feel like an unforgettable wildlife expedition every day. Enjoy the highest density of leopards found anywhere on earth, untamed dry-zone wilderness, pre-dawn game drives, and golden-hour sightings you'll talk about for years.

Get around

Bandaranaike International Airport
Katunayake
4 hr
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport
Mattala
1 hr
Yala National Park Gate (Block 1)
Yala
10 min
Tissamaharama town
Tissamaharama
35 min
Galle Fort
Galle
2 hr 30 min

Points of interest

Kataragama Sacred Site
Kataragama
30 min
Situlpawwa Rock Temple
Hambantota
30 min
Bundala National Park
Bundala
45 min
Mirissa Whale Watching
Mirissa
2 hr
Kocchipathana Lake
Yala
5 min

Your Dates Are Waiting

Tell us when and we'll take care of the rest.

The Ceylon Haven Promise

  • Handpicked Villas. Only the best make the cut.
  • No Surprises. What you see is what you get.
  • Passport Included. Exclusive island experiences, on us.

Booking policies

House Rules

  • Minimum age for primary guest: 18 years
  • Children of all ages welcome; family tents available; camp proximity to lake not recommended for young children unsupervised
  • No smoking inside tents or dining areas
  • No events or private functions are allowed

Good to Know

  • All meals, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages fully included throughout the stay
  • Twice-daily game drives included; early morning drives begin at approximately 5:30 AM
  • Tea and biscuits served on tent veranda before early drives
  • Treehouse breakfast and waterfront dinner platform available subject to seasonal conditions
  • Kayaking, guided jungle walks, and birdwatching included
  • Cultural excursions to Kataragama available on request

Cancellation policy

  • Cancel at least 30 days before your check-in date for a 50% refund of your total booking value.
  • Cancel within 30 days of your check-in date and the booking is non-refundable

Explore the area

Local restaurants, cafes, museums, sites and activities, recommended by our community

Frequently asked questions

Check our FAQ for details on villa

What is Kulu Safaris Yala?
Kulu Safaris Yala is an intimate, all-inclusive tented safari camp on the edge of Yala National Park, set directly beside Kocchipathana Lake in Sri Lanka's Southern Province. The camp has six tents raised on timber platforms at canopy level, each ensuite with a private veranda. All meals, game drives, and activities are fully included. Kulu Safaris is the pioneering operator of tented safaris in Sri Lanka, operating in Yala for over two decades with a consistent reputation for exceptional guiding, ethical wildlife viewing, and serious food.
What wildlife can I see at Yala National Park?
Yala has one of the highest densities of leopards of any national park in the world, and sightings, while never guaranteed, are a realistic expectation at Kulu given the quality of its naturalist guides. The park is also home to elephants, sloth bears, mugger crocodiles, water buffalo, spotted deer, and long-legged hares. Kocchipathana Lake, immediately beside the camp, draws waterbirds in significant numbers year-round, including painted storks, pelicans, spoonbills, and kingfishers. Bundala National Park, 35 kilometres away, is an additional wetland birding option.
What is included in the price?
Everything except transfers to and from the camp. All meals, snacks, and a full selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included. Twice-daily game drives in modified V8 Toyota Land Cruisers with professional naturalist guides are included. Kayaking on Kocchipathana Lake, guided jungle walks, birdwatching, and cultural excursions to Kataragama are all included. The only additions are personal items, tips, and any mobile safari upgrades arranged separately.
How is the food?
Food is one of the most consistent talking points in guest reviews and the standard is genuinely high for a camp in a remote jungle location. Meals rotate location daily across the camp, from breakfast on the treehouse platform above the lake to dinner on the waterfront platform with torches reflected on the water or a full barbecue by the campfire. Sri Lankan curries, fresh tropical fruit, hoppers, and a full barbecue menu are all part of the rotation. Dietary requirements are accommodated and the team asks about allergies and preferences on arrival.
When is the best time to visit Yala?
The dry season from February to June gives the best wildlife visibility, as animals congregate around water sources and vegetation is lower. Yala is open and rewarding year-round outside of its annual closure, which falls approximately in September and October when water levels are at their lowest. The park's exact closure dates vary by year and rainfall. Visiting midweek rather than at weekends or public holidays significantly reduces the number of jeeps in the park.

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