Is Yala National Park Good for Birdwatching?

Yes. Yala is a strong place for birdwatching. The mix of forest, wetland, scrub, and grassland supports 215 recorded bird species. That list includes six Sri Lankan endemics, plus many birds that stay year-round and many that move with the seasons.

Sri Lanka Tourism also names Yala as an Important Bird Area. If you care most about birds, let your safari driver know before you start. If the driver is focused only on leopards, they may move past good wetland areas and woodland too quickly to spot and identify birds properly.