Yala National Park · Block 5 & 6
The quieter side of Yala.
Away from the crowds of Block 1. A slower, ethical safari through Yala Block 5 and Block 6 with fewer vehicles, smaller groups, and no promises of specific sightings.
Why We Only Operate in Yala Block 5 & 6
Because the experience matters.
People often ask why we don't offer safaris in Yala Block 1.
The simple answer is that Block 5 and Block 6 are the kind of safari we genuinely enjoy ourselves, so that's where we've chosen to work.
Block 1 is the most famous part of Yala, and for good reason. It has one of the highest leopard densities in the world, so if your only goal is to maximise your chances of seeing a leopard, Block 1 is usually the better choice.
But popularity also comes with a downside.
A note from our team
"We believe every guest deserves honest advice, even if it means we're not the right choice. If seeing a leopard is your main priority, Yala Blocks 5 and 6 may not be the best fit, and we might not be the right team for you. We'd much rather be upfront from the beginning than have you leave feeling disappointed. That's simply how we work."
About this site
Part of the Slow Safaris family. Built specifically for Yala.
Slow Safaris by Nomad Trails Sri Lanka offers ethical wildlife experiences across several destinations in Sri Lanka, including Udawalawe and Yala.
Yala is different. Many travellers arrive looking for information about the different safari blocks, realistic wildlife expectations, and quieter alternatives to the busy areas of the park. Rather than trying to cover everything on one website, we created a dedicated home for Yala.
The philosophy
- Fewer vehicles. Small, private groups only. No shared jeeps.
- Honest about sightings. We never guarantee specific animals.
- Slow pace. We stop, we wait, we watch. Not a wildlife checklist.
- Ethical. We follow the animals' lead, not the crowd's.
- Personal. Every safari is personally guided, every time.
Wildlife
What you might encounter
Every safari is different, and that's exactly what makes it special. Nature doesn't work to a checklist, so no sightings are ever guaranteed. These are some of the animals we encounter during our safaris in Yala Blocks 5 and 6.
Elephant
Seen occasionally in both blocks. When they appear in Block 6's open terrain, the encounter tends to be especially memorable.
Occasional
Mugger Crocodile
Found near waterholes and tanks throughout Blocks 5 and 6. Patient, prehistoric, and often surprisingly close.
Commonly seen
Raptors
One of Yala's most distinctive raptors. Found in both blocks and often heard before it is seen. A sign of healthy forest habitat.
Commonly seen
Wild Buffalo
Large herds are common in both Block 5 and Block 6. They wallow in the tanks and graze in the open grasslands, often in groups of twenty or more. Unlike many species, buffalo can be seen throughout the day — resting, grazing, or moving between water sources.
Commonly seen
Golden Jackal
Present in both blocks, though not among the most common sightings. Nimble, social, and usually found in pairs or small family groups when they do appear. Most active in the early morning and late afternoon, often heard before they are seen.
Occasional
Sri Lankan Leopard
Leopards are found in both Block 5 & 6. In Block 5, there's a possibility of seeing one, although the chances are much lower than in Yala Block 1. In Block 6, sightings are extremely rare, even though leopards do live there.
Possible, not common
Monkeys
Toque macaques and grey langurs are a common and entertaining presence throughout both blocks.
Commonly seen
Sloth Bear
Occasionally seen in both blocks. Unpredictable and solitary. A memorable encounter when it happens.
Possible, not common
Spotted Deer
One of the most abundant animals in both blocks. Large herds are a constant and graceful presence throughout the park.
Commonly seenAlso found in Blocks 5 & 6
Sambar Deer · Water Monitor Lizard · Peacock · Painted Stork · Spot-billed Pelican · Malabar Pied Hornbill · Green Bee-eater · Kingfisher · Sri Lankan Junglefowl · Indian Cobra · and many more animal species
What we offer
Safari packages
Three carefully designed safari experiences in Yala Blocks 5 and 6. Each offers a different way to explore the park, with our experienced naturalist guides by your side. From unhurried wildlife photography to bush breakfasts and picnic lunches in the wilderness, every experience is designed to be more personal, immersive, and thoughtful than a typical safari.
Most requested
Signature Safari
6–7 hours · Yala Block 5 & Block 6
Our favourite way to experience Yala. We enter before most afternoon jeeps arrive, spend time exploring the quieter Block 6, enjoy a bush lunch in the wilderness, then finish the day in Block 5 during the cooler hours when wildlife, including leopards, often becomes more active. It’s a slower, more thoughtful safari built around the rhythms of nature, not the crowds.
From $50 per person
Chat on WhatsAppFull day
Full Day Safari
11–12 hours · Yala Block 5 & Block 6
Our most complete safari experience. A full day in the park gives us the rare opportunity to be there during both dawn and dusk, the cooler hours when leopards are generally considered most active. With plenty of time between, there’s no need to rush. We can slow down, enjoy a bush breakfast and lunch, spend time with wildlife, and simply let the day unfold at nature’s pace.
From $91 per person
Chat on WhatsAppPhotography
Photography Safari
Custom timing · Yala Block 5 & Block 6
Designed around your interests, the season, and the best light rather than a fixed schedule. Guided by an experienced wildlife photographer, with advice on camera settings, wildlife behaviour, and image reviews throughout the day. Bean bags, binoculars, power banks, and lens cleaning equipment are all included.
Custom pricing
See full detailsAll prices are per person and subject to change.
Full package detailsBlock 5 vs Block 6
Understanding the two blocks
Yala Block 5
Block 5 is the smallest block in Yala National Park.
This is where you'll find the best chance of seeing leopards and sloth bears within the areas we operate. However, we'd like to be honest. Those chances are much lower than in the famous Yala Block 1.
What makes Block 5 special isn't just the possibility of seeing leopards or sloth bears. It's how quiet it is. While Yala Block 1 can have more than 400 safari vehicles in a day, Block 5 usually sees fewer than 50. That means more space, fewer crowds, and a much more peaceful safari experience.
Along the way, it's also common to encounter spotted deer, water buffalo, crocodiles, grey langurs, toque macaques, peacocks, and a wide variety of birds, making every drive rewarding even when the park's most elusive animals stay hidden.
Yala Block 6
Block 6 is one of the largest blocks in Yala National Park and, without doubt, the quietest part of the park. Because it's so peaceful, it's also one of our favourite places to spend time.
The reason it's so quiet is quite simple. Unlike Block 1, and even Block 5, Block 6 isn't known for leopard sightings. In fact, the chances of seeing a leopard here are extremely low. Since most safari vehicles are searching for leopards, very few make the journey into Block 6, leaving it wonderfully uncrowded.
That doesn't mean there's nothing to see. Quite the opposite. Block 6 is home to elephants, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild boar, water buffalo, crocodiles, grey langurs, toque macaques, peacocks, and an impressive variety of birds. Elephant sightings are fairly common here, although if your main priority is seeing elephants, we'd honestly recommend Udawalawe National Park instead, where your chances are considerably higher.
For us, the real beauty of Block 6 isn't chasing a particular species. It's being able to enjoy wildlife in one of the quietest corners of Yala, often with very few other vehicles around.
Photography by Prasanna
From Yala Block 5 & 6
What guests say
Reviews
"Since we wanted to be a little away from the crowds, Prasanna suggested Yala Block 5 & 6, which was a great idea. We saw so many animals in their natural environment and since it was so quiet and peaceful, we did not feel like intruders, but rather as respectful bystanders."
"Our full-day safari in Yala with Prasanna was absolutely incredible. We saw countless animals, including elephants, and even had the rare chance to see bears and one leopard. After a long search, spotting the leopard felt especially magical. It was an unforgettable experience, far beyond any standard safari."
"They don't just drive you around hoping to spot animals — they know this place intimately. They slow down, explain behaviours, point out the smallest details, and make sure you feel the magic rather than just ticking boxes."
Common questions
Honest answers
No. Leopard sightings are never guaranteed anywhere in Yala National Park. Wildlife moves freely, and every day in the park is different.
If seeing a leopard is your only priority, we'd honestly recommend Yala Block 1, where the chances are significantly higher. In Block 5, leopards are seen from time to time, while in Block 6 the chances are extremely low. We'd rather be upfront about that so you can choose the safari that best matches your expectations.
Both blocks offer a much quieter safari than Yala Block 1, but they feel quite different.
Block 5 offers the best chance of seeing leopards and sloth bears within the areas we operate, although those chances are still much lower than in Block 1. Block 6 is even quieter and is all about enjoying nature without the crowds. Leopard sightings there are extremely rare, but it's a wonderful place for elephants, birds, and simply slowing down and enjoying the wilderness.
It's simply not the kind of safari we want to offer.
Yala Block 1 is famous for its wildlife, especially leopards, but it can also become very busy, with hundreds of safari vehicles entering the park each day. We prefer Blocks 5 and 6 because they offer a much quieter and more relaxed experience, where there's more space, less waiting, and more time to simply enjoy being in nature.
Every safari is different, but it's common to see elephants, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild boar, water buffalo, crocodiles, grey langurs, toque macaques, peacocks, and a wide variety of birds.
Block 5 also offers the possibility of seeing leopards and sloth bears, although those sightings are much less frequent than in Yala Block 1. Nature always has the final say, which is part of what makes every safari unique.
Yes, very much so.
Yala Block 1 can have more than 400 safari vehicles in a single day. In comparison, Block 5 usually sees fewer than 50 vehicles, while Block 6 is often even quieter. That's one of the main reasons we chose to operate here. It allows us to enjoy a slower, more peaceful safari without feeling like we're following a line of jeeps from one sighting to the next.
Get in touch
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