Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This is the only Yala/Udawalawa safari tour crafted specifically for cruise passengers docking at Hambantota Port. We understand your time is limited, so we offer a seamless, worry-free experience that guarantees you’ll be back in time for departure — with incredible memories in hand.
✅ Direct pickup from Hambantota Port – no stress, no transfers, no waiting.
✅ High chance of seeing leopards, elephants, and sloth bears – we know the best zones.
✅ Safari jeeps with expert local guides who know Yala and Udawalawa like their backyard.
✅ Group experience
✅ Operated by Ajith Safari Jeep Tours, one of Yala’s most trusted and top-rated operators.
Whether it's your first safari or one of many, we deliver a safe, thrilling, and deeply personal wildlife adventure that fits right into your cruise stop. Book now to turn your port day into the highlight of your entire journey.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Hambantota
Travelers will be greeted at Hambantota International Port by an Ajith Safari representative holding a name board. After a quick introduction, they’ll be escorted to their private safari vehicle and begin the journey toward Yala National Park.
Yala National Park
Enter Yala National Park, home to the world’s highest density of leopards. Travelers will enjoy a professionally guided safari through diverse landscapes including dry forest, grasslands, and lakes. Expect to see elephants, crocodiles, peacocks, buffalo, deer, and—if lucky—a leopard in the wild.
Options
Yala National Park Safari Tour
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Port pick up and Drop off
Safari Jeep
Jeep Safari at Yala National Park
Professional Driver/Guide
Binocular
Cool Drinks
Food
Entrance Fees - Yala national park
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
86 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Restrictive Park rules diminished this trip
Oscardog16,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We were picked up in the car park outside the Hambantota cruise terminal at 10.00 a.m. Only authorised buses can enter the port area. Private tour companies must wait in the carpark to pick up cruise passengers. We travelled in an open sided safari vehicle for over an hour to reach the Yala National Park main gate. The guide and driver were in a hurry to reach the gate before 11.00 a.m. The haste became clear after a short drive inside the park. We were told that we either had to leave the park by 12.00 p.m. or wait at the beach restaurant and visitors centre until 2.00 p.m. as the National Park rules prohibited any driving on the park roads between those hours. It was a long wait with little to do. All the tour vehicles lined up to depart the beach at exactly 2.00 p.m. Our guide provided interesting commentary about the elephants. We unfortunately did not see any Leopards. The tour would have been so much better if the National Park relaxed its driving rules. Had we had known about the down time we would have not taken the tour.
Pick up was well...
Edward S,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Pick up was well organised.Good trip, didn’t see any elephants till the end, but worth the wait. Our driver did a good job and tried his best to locate animals. Overall I would recommend this trip.
Bad
176agas,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Do not use this company — absolute scammers. We were contacted the day before our safari tour and told we had to pay an additional $55 which was never mentioned before. The man on the phone was extremely rude and unprofessional. On the day of the tour the driver arrived late. The entire safari lasted less than 3 hours, even though we had booked a 4-hour tour. The driver did not offer us a drink which was included in the package and barely communicated with us throughout the trip. He suddenly started driving us back to the hotel at dangerously high speeds in the jeep, which made the experience feel unsafe. Overall, a very disappointing and stressful experience. I would strongly advise others to avoid this company. The safari is worth a visit - choose other company
Do NOT use this company!
Excursion09438545630,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00The day before we were due to go on our trip we had a message asking for another 55USD for hotel pick up. No pick up available from the port because there were no cruise ships docking. This was not communicated when booked weeks before and is not apparent on the website. The man we dealt with was incredibly rude and just gave us the option to pay 55USD or lose the safari. On the morning of the safari, we got picked up late with no explanation. A 7 seater vehicle arrived for 8 of us when we were told we would have 2 x 4 seaters. The actual Safari was good but the driver didnt speak much. We were fortunate enough to see some animals close up but then we left the park 1 hour earlier than planned and were not told we were leaving. We can only assume this was because we had seen the leopards. Driver drove like a mad man back to the hotel and made up 17 mins of time due to his crazy speeds. We were dropped off at the time the safari was meant to finish. Dont go with big companies like this that rip you off, choose something more personal and private that want you to actually enjoy your experience.
Best operator to explore Yala.
sureshmH5888SY,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very good operator. They are the best in the field. They operated the tour smoothly. we were lucky to see a leopard during the tour that was the highlight. Highly recommended
Shake rattle and aches and pains!!
JEANETTE S,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Don't go not worth the money. 4 hours on top of a ute. Horrendous "Roads"/Tracks And what did we see nothing except some deer!!
Good value excursion from the ship
MARTIN B,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Good communication with the company. Good value excursion. Was waiting to greet us from the ship at the gate as arranged. Coach was clean and air conditioned. Took us to a town where we swapped into a jeep. Thought that the park would be a short distance away but there was still another 30-40 mins to go. As we approached, saw 2 elephants - one of which came right up to the jeep and allowed us to stroke him. Amazing. The guide was really good, kept stopping to point out different bird species as well as the red deer, water buffalo, crocs, monitor lizards. Jeep ride was more like an off road experience but very good all the same. Return journey seemed much quicker than the outward journey. Got back in plenty of time for the ship.
H
Maps727664,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Tour was great. Communication on meeting times was terrible. Booked 8am tour, told to meet at 10:30. Had to hunt them up and call. Never explained or apologized for me and 7 others had to be ready 2.5 hours ahead of time standing around in the sun
Disappointing for the money spent
Joan M,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Timing changed to 10.30 pick up Animals sleeping in afternoon say no elephants in park. Drive spent more time in dense bush pot holed roads just filling time. On return to boat other told of there great experience, our did match that
Very much worth it!
38sherryj,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an awesome time. We were on a cruise and booked this jeep safari on a port day. They picked us up, took us about two hours to the park, got us all on jeeps, drove us all over the park and got us back to the ship before it sailed. While we were in the park we saw some elephants, lots of spotted deer, water buffalo, some wonderful peacocks, monkeys, crocodiles and some beautiful birds. Our driver was great and attentive. He stopped for every sighting. We were very happy.
Related Experiences
Operated by Ajith Safari Jeep Tours