Yala National Park Five Blocks Explained

 

Yala National Park has five blocks with different characteristics. Here, you can learn all about these five different Yala blocks.

The Indian Ocean provides a dramatic backdrop for Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s most popular and second-largest national park. It spans both the Southern Province and the Uva Province, both in the southeastern part of the nation. Different types of monsoon forests, meadows, marshes (both marine and freshwater), and beaches may be found in Yala National Park. The park’s location in a semi-arid climate zone is a unique feature. And the park is home to 215 different bird species, six of which are unique to Sri Lanka. There are 44 different kinds of animals that may be found living in Yala National Park, and the park boasts one of the highest leopard concentrations seen anywhere in the world.

There are many endangered species on the planet, including leopards, sloth bears, elephants, and wild water buffalo. Other mammals include the red slender loris, toque macaque, golden palm civet, and the fishing cat. It’s safe to say that the park’s 979 square kilometers will keep you busy for hours. Five separate blocks make up the park.

The Yala region of Sri Lanka: where should I go?

Given that Yala is divided into five distinct sections, finding your way around may at first seem daunting. In addition to these five sections, it shares borders with the national parks of Kumana, Lahugala, and Lunugamwehera. Yala National Park is surrounded by three different sanctuaries: Nimalawa, Katagamuwa, and Kataragama. Furthermore, some national parks have unexpected elephant pathways.

In dry seasons, elephants often move to new watering holes like this. All buildings are open to the public except for Block 4 and the protected natural area. You can’t really predict a uniform safari experience across the board since each block has a unique ecosystem, complete with its own unique plants and animals.

Explaining Yala National Park’s Five Blocks

1. Yala National Park block 1

If you’re looking to go on a safari in the park, you should go to Block 1. As a result of the fact that this particular section of the park was one of the first to be explored, the animals living there are not too anxious about passing motorists. More than 50 leopards call this section of Yala home, making it home to the world’s greatest leopard density. Because of this, seeing a leopard on safari is rather common but by no means certain.

Moreover, Block 1 has two different entryways. To lessen the number of Jeeps entering the park, one is coming from Palatupana and the other is coming from Katagamuwa. The busiest time of year for tourists to visit this area means that you may anticipate a fair amount of foot traffic in this area.

2. Yala’s Block 2

From Block 01 in the park’s southernmost region, you’ll need at least two jeeps to cross the Menik Ganga River and reach Block 02, where the park’s northern boundary is located.

Guests camping at a Department of Wildlife-run site will have a better chance of seeing wildlife since fewer cars have been through this section. A 44 is the optimal vehicle for traversing this area.

3. Yala National Park’s Block 3

In the Galge district, the entrance to Block 3 may be found directly across from Block 5. It’s located in the park’s northern region, where you’ll find fewer Jeeps. However, there have been promising sightings in the area around a lake. A modest tower can be seen in the Block 3 region, indicating that this was formerly a hunting park for colonial army soldiers.

Some rock inscriptions may also be found in the lake vicinity, further attesting to the long history of civilization in this region. If you want to watch sloth bears during the dry season, Block 03 is a wonderful place to take an evening drive.

4. Yala block 4

The usage of this for safaris has not been implemented yet. The Department of Wildlife has built a few new roads through the area, but the dense forest cover makes it difficult to see any wild creatures. Located in Yala’s northern region, this block receives more precipitation than the others, giving it a very different biome than the others.

5. Yala’s Block 5

North of the park’s central section, between blocks 03 and 04, you’ll find Block 05. The smaller number of jeeps means you may always have a more personalized safari experience. Due to the dryness of this location, there have been fewer sightings of the creature here compared to Block 01. However, there are spotted deer, sloth bears, leopards, elephants, and a variety of birds that can be seen there. However, seeing a leopard or a bear is quite unusual. So let’s hope to see one in Block 05.

The reservoir in this area is where the jeeps go to have breakfast, so there are always a lot of birds to view. If you’re going for a drive in the evening, stop by the “Sellangala” river to cool yourself in the flowing water.

How much time do you need to discover everything there is in Yala?

How much you like nature and its inhabitants will determine the answer. Though strenuous, a full-day trip allows for greater wildlife viewing and exploration in a single day. Keep in mind that long trips before the safari are to be avoided at all costs, and pick a location near the park.

Wrapping up

The Yala National Park in Sri Lanka is widely considered to be one of the best places to see wild animals in the world. As was previously said, the five sections of Yala each have their own distinct qualities, and certain sections are off-limits to tourists. Wildlife safaris are ideal in Yala Block One, which has many species.