Do Yala safari drivers strictly prohibit off-roading?

Yes, off-roading is strictly prohibited in Yala National Park, and every safari driver has to keep their vehicle on the designated dirt tracks at all times. The Department of Wildlife Conservation really enforces this, mainly to protect the natural habitat and keep the area undisturbed.

Anyone who breaks these rules faces severe fines, suspension of their park licence, or a permanent ban. So yes, you may not get right next to a leopard resting deep in the bush, but this is still a crucial conservation measure. It reduces human interference in a practical way, especially since the park ecosystem needs quiet around it.