About Yala Block 05 - safari tour in Sri Lanka
The Northern Block 05 Region of Yala National Park - Our Alternative Yala Safari Tour
Why, this is the best yala Safari tour
- From Tree Tops Jungle Lodge, in southeast Sri Lanka, safari tours into Yala National Park Block 5 are ideal
- We have easy access for safari into the northern region Yala. A large wilderness area of Sri Lanka called Yala Block 3, Yala Block 4, Yala Block 5 and Yala Block 6
- The entrance is only a 40 minutes transfer away. 10 km of the transfer from the lodge is inside the Yala National Park, on the Buttala – Kataragama road
Access Into Yala Block 05 - in Yala National Park
At Galge, on the Buttala – Kataragama road, there is access into the northern blocks; 3, 4, and 5. Our tour would normally take place in Yala Block 5. It has the best system of tracks. The transfer is a relaxed 40 minutes jeep drive from our camp location.
A Little Visited Part of Yala
A Little Visited Part Of Yala Until 2016 another jeep was a rare sighting … Visitor numbers are now a little higher but still very low in comparison to Yala National Park Block 1. Another positive is that the jeep tracks in Yala Block 5 are quite good. Less rough and bumpy than in Block 1, so driving feels more comfortable and less tiring.
In 2016 the Department of Wildlife cleared more jeep tracks in Block 5 and improved the safari experience. Also, Yala Block 4 was opened for visitors, although only with one jeep track.
With insignificant visitor numbers, wildlife sightings have potential to be exciting and intimate experiences. Birdlife is diverse with more species of forest birds compared to Block 1.
How We Plan Safari Tours in Yala Block 5
While sometimes exploring the adjoining Yala Block 6 (former Lunugamvehera National Park), we normally restrict the safari drive to smaller circles in Yala Block 5.
We focus on specific areas where we believe chances are better to get a sighting of leopard, sloth bear, or other interesting, rarely spotted animal species such as the Barking deer and Stribe-necked mongoose.
Excellent for Bird Watching
For bird photographers and watchers, Sri Lankan safari in Yala National Park Block 5 is excellent. Highlights are eagles and also are variety of rare forest birds can be seen in Yala National Park. Colorful species like hornbills and parakeets are frequently seen on most tours.
Over 200 bird species have been observed at and around Tree Tops Jungle Lodge, making this area with our ecolodge camp and the protected Yala ecosystems a haven for bird enthusiasts.
Landscape And Nature
The northern Yala National Park blocks are scenic wilderness landscapes with the entire region covered by mature tall canopy forest. A difference compared to the more open bush landscape in Block 1 of Yala.
Still a dry zone environment but further north in Yala,, there is higher rainfall. The large Block 4 of Yala National Park bordering Buttala and Okkampitiya areas receives around 1200 mm of rain annually. Southern Block 1 and 2 only receive less than half of that amount of rain.
Water and Water Holes in Yala Block 5
In central areas of Blocks 3, 4, and 5, local streams dry out during drought seasons, which make tough conditions for wildlife. Two rivers flow from the mountains and both are vital for wild animals in dry times. Kumbukkan Oya provides water access in Block 4 and Block 3, and the Menik River is an important water source in Yala National Park Block 5. The large Veheragala reservoir, towards the northern edge completed in 2010, is now a water source in Yala Block 5.
Unlike in Block 1, habitat enrichment such as artificial water holes is uncommon in the northern Yala region. However Yala Block 5 has several waterholes scattered along jeep tracks. Here, concrete made waterholes were introduced in 2016. The first of them, in fact, was constructed with funds donated by Tree Tops Jungle Lodge. It was named by the department as ‘Lars-vallah’ … ‘The Lars Waterhole’ … after the Tree Tops Jungle Lodge owner.
Wildlife ?
Many rarely observed species exist in these remote forests, though animals here are wild, shy, and alert, and more difficult to spot and observe. Also, here wildlife tends to be more nocturnal.
On the surface, the visible wildlife density appears to be less than in Yala Block 1. Thick forest allows only limited visibility. Another factor is that animals are unaccustomed to safari jeeps so they are likely to hide or flee.
Safari here is more about tracking and correct, quiet behavior means a lot more than in Block 1.
Elephants in Yala Block 5
On most tours, there are some elephants in Yala National Park sightings. However, the population density of elephants is lower, the deeper we get inside the national park in Sri Lanka.
Elephants reside more along the park boundaries, closer to buffer zones and adjoining bush landscapes. They need a varied environment and move with changing drought and food conditions and tall forest is not ideal as a permanent habitat.
Exclusive, Unique, Leopard Sightings
Scientifically and subjectively, the northern region of Yala is still a quite unexplored environment. Compared to other parts of northern Yala, Block 5 is where we have gathered more experience and knowledge of how and where the leopard moves on its tracks.
The chance of seeing a may be a little less than in Yala Block 1, but we are able to emphasize that we do get leopard sightings in Yala Block 5. Not every day the whole year, but it happens.
Some of the leopards in the Block 5 of Yala are slowly getting habituated to safari jeeps and we had more sightings the last few years.
We regularly have the opportunity to be in an adventurous situation where we find and spot leopards and get to spend some time with the animal before it goes back into the wild.
In most cases, these encounters last only a few brief moments. However, there are rare occasions when a leopard sighting can extend to several minutes or even longer.
Morning or Afternoon for the Sri Lanka Safari Tour?
Entering Yala at dawn is always a great feeling. Early morning and sunrise in the national park is amazing and offers the most ideal photographic light one will get the whole day. On morning tours we advice to start from the lodge early at 5.15 am, and possibly enter the park as the first visitors.
The national park is open from 6 morning until 6 evening. Closed the whole night from 6 evening to 6 morning.
Safari Timing in Yala Block 5
Animal Behavior During the Day
In Yala Block 5, our experience is that sighting chances are better in the afternoon than in the morning. The very early morning soon after sunrise is also a good time.
Outside of Yala Block 1, sightings generally come a little different. Wildlife is more safari-jeep habituated in Block 1 and seen more in the daytime.
Wildlife that is more natural and cautious tend to behave more nocturnal. With this behavioral pattern wild animals would take refuge in the morning at safe and secret places to relax and sleep after their active night hours.
In the afternoon, the animals are more active; this means that the afternoon safari is a better time than in the morning. As the afternoon progresses, the chances of wildlife sightings gradually increase with heightened animal activity later in the day. Conversely, in the morning, the likelihood diminishes as wild animals retreat to their shelters in the woods, often disappearing by 7 a.m. or even earlier.
In Yala Block 5. Kamal and a herd of elephants