Yala Full Day Safari Tour from Hambantota Port
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
Embark on a Thrilling Yala Full Day Safari from Hambantota Port , Picture yourself disembarking from your cruise ship in Hambantota, ready to step into a world brimming with wildlife. Our Yala Full Day Safari takes you on an extraordinary journey through Yala National Park, celebrated for having the highest density of leopards anywhere on the planet!
Yala National Park offers a rich tapestry of landscapes, from verdant scrublands to shimmering lagoons, each teeming with remarkable creatures. Watch for majestic elephants meandering across the plains or catch sight of the elusive sloth bear. Bird enthusiasts will be delighted by the park’s vibrant array of bird species darting through the foliage.
Travel in comfort and safety with our spacious safari jeep, expertly guided by a seasoned naturalist who has a sharp eye for spotting wildlife. Your guide will lead you through the park, unveiling its hidden gems and maximizing your chances of encountering these magnificent animals.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Yala National Park
Your Driver-Tracker will meet you at the cruise Terminal of Hambantota Port thereafter he will drive you to Yala National Park and start the safari, Yala is famous for Highest Leopards Density in the world also Sloth Bears, Elephant Herds are roaming naturally & freely with their colleagues of Wild Buffalos, Bores, Deer Species, Sambur Elks, Crocodiles, Monkeys, Foxes, Wild Cat Species, Alligators, Reptiles, Mongoose, Turtles, Porcupines and Birds. Block 1” is animal seen area where terrain starts over salty bush land by the side of Indian Ocean then gradually get in to deep Semi Dry Zone Jungle with rugged topography and the River runs with its dramatic sandy banks which are covered by thick jungle of dark forests canopy. By 12.00 Noon he will stop at the beach area for lunch which is included in your package after lunch stop, your evening game drive will start on completion you will be driven back to the Hambantota Port.
Options
Yala Full Day Safari Tour from Hambantota Port
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Bottled Water
Transportation by a Luxury 4WD Safari Jeep
Experienced English speaking driver/guide
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Free pickup and drop-off from/to Hambantota Port
Picnic Lunch
Entrance Fees to National Park
Gratuities (recommended)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
6 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Two day tours for cruise passengers
poppylander,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I booked a group tour to a Yala safari - we were all passengers on a cruise ship. Everything was organised perfectly through Henry at Mergenser tours, even combining other bookings from cruise pax with mine to lower the costs, plus communicating without delay. I| have been to Yala before and it is very different to African safaris. The scenery is breath taking and the animals amazing and different to Africa. (BOTH are excellent, so not comparing experiences). We were all very pleased with what we saw. Do not hesitate to book Merganaser if you want things booked correctly and for value.
Superb private tour with many sightings
Nadja K,May 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great tour. We were on site by ship and were picked up at the port gate with a name sign. A taxi driver drove us about 40 minutes towards Yala National Park, where we transferred to a jeep. There were only two of us. So it was a private tour. The guide made everything possible, and we got to see some animals. We were even lucky with the leopard. The driver was incredibly great, and the taxi driver was super nice as well. We are completely satisfied with the tour and the day, and we returned to the harbor on time. We can definitely recommend the tour! Therefore, I would gladly give it 6 stars.
Wonderful experience from Hambantota Port
susannL6023DZ,May 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent, professional communication with Merganser Tours with precise instructions on where and when to meet. We booked as a couple and we had a lovely brand new air conditioned car to ourselves from the port to Yala and return with a very safe and careful driver. We transferred to the Safari vehicle (also to ourselves) about 20kms from the entry to the park and our driver/guide was also excellent and astute at spotting wildlife, especially the crocodile! We saw elephants, water buffalo, spotted deer, mongoose, goanna (monitor lizards), a crocodile, peacocks and peahens and numerous other birdlife including an owl and an eagle. Alas there where no leopards to be seen on this day. A delicious fruit snack plus juice and water was served to us while we waited the short time for the park to open at 2pm. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour and highly recommend Merganser Tours for a trip to Yala National Park, especially as a shore excursion if you're on a cruise.
Great Day with Merganer Tour - Hambantota
A3436GCjamiem,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Booked tour of area including Yala Safari Tour. Our driver, Upul was fantastic, picking up on time at the port where our cruise ship was docked. He suggested some stops at some incredible temples where we interacted with locals and were treated like guests and received a blessing from a monk. The Yala Safari Tour was at the end. We had a great experience and saw a variety of animals up close. Drinks and fresh fruit were provided. Probably half the price of a cruise ship excursion, with the flexibility to stop wherever and whenever you like. Great experience and would highly recommend. Thank you Upul for a great experience.
Yala national park was an experience worth going to seen leopard and all the other animal you would expect wonderful bir
Sandra E,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The trip was wonderful everything went to plan from pickup at the port to our return to port. Excellent service and very helpful
A memorable visit to Yala park with a reliable tour company.
187CLJay,Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was probably the best excursion of our cruise holiday. The communication with the company - Merganser holidays was excellent. Our vehicle and driver/ guide Pathum turned up on time. We travelled in a jeep from the cruise port but it was comfortable. The ride to Yala park was very interesting too. Once at the park our driver was in touch with others and was able to get us to where a leopard had been sighted. We were very lucky in that we found the leopard on the track and we had close up views before all the other jeeps piled in. We saw elephants too. We were looked after well and were given a sensible snack of fruit and drinks. Our driver obliged us by stopping at an ATM for local currency. In future we must carry more US dollars for tips because it isn’t always easy to find an ATM. Currency exchange shops are more normal in the ports we visited. We had a bathroom stop by a beach and a detour off the main road to see the sunset over the wetlands. A very memorable day but we were saddened to hear about the cyclone that hit this area after we had visited with so much flooding. We consider ourselves very lucky to have experienced this area.
Related Experiences
Operated by Hambantota Shore Excursions