Leopard Trails Yala

Such a unique experience - loved every minute of it. Purni our guide was knowledgeable and incredibly informative. Make sure you do at least two safaris as the blocks are different. We saw 3 Leopards, a Sloth Bear and Elephants, not to mention all the other wildlife - truly amazing. Food was great and the service from all staff exceptional. Couldn’t do enough for us and accommodated food requests and allergies.

Be aware - it’s remote so you won’t be walking out and perusing the town. That didn’t bother us though as the staff will drop you into town if needed. Also - pools were great but ask for the one with the view - ours didn’t have a privacy screen which would have been nice

Everything! Food and service was impeccable and the room was stunning (we stayed in a suite with a pool over the lake and a large window wall opposite the bed so you had a great view out onto the lake and we saw a water buffalo go by!)

It was quite expensive for one night stay! We paid $350 dollars but we didn’t factor in that you can’t leave the camp so all your food and drink is bought in addition to this at the camp restaurant which is more expensive than everywhere else we stayed but I guess that’s to be expected on a safari.

Purni was the most amazing guide and host. Knowledgeable, friendly and a great hostess. Food was outstanding and the staff bent over backwards to make our stay unforgettable. Thank you, we had the best time.

Excellent Customer Service from the very first moment we arrived

First rate accommodation and all of the staff were excellent

Great experience for a night. The guide was very knowledgeable during the safari, the room was awesome (the kids loved the plunge pool) and the food was very tasty. There are only 8 rooms available, which enhances the feeling of exclusivity and peaceful surroundings.

Would be nice to have proper coffee, but not a big deal.

The Leopard trails at Yala is a luxurious camp style resort on shores of a lake. We stayed in Deluxe tent with private pool and it was fabulous. The tent had total privacy. The room was huge and the bathroom was modern. The patio facing the lake was very private and great for just lazing around. The plunge pool was small but very nice on a hot afternoon. The room amenities were also good. The camp dinner and breakfast were good but not exceptional. We did 2 safari treks with our guide and naturalist Mr. Nolan. He was very knowledgeable and provided a wealth of information on the park, and its flora and fauna. It was his astute insight on the location in the park that we were able to see 2 leopards (a mating pair). A very rare sight, It was the highlight of our trip. In addition to leopards, we also saw crocodiles, deer, elephants (up close!), wild buffalos and a wide variety of exotic birds. This is a very well kept National Park and a must visit in Sri Lanka.

The dinner and breakfast could be improved a bit. The food was plentiful but the taste and variety were not as good as we had at other 5 start properties.

We spent 2 nights at Leopard Trails Yala. We arrived at 13:30, which allowed us to take in an afternoon safari in Block 1, and we enjoyed both a morning and afternoon safari to Block 1 on Day 2 of our stay. In hindsight we probably should have taken in a 4th safari on the morning before we left, but it was sort of nice to sleep in and relax before departing. We were met by our guide Sudheera, who ensured our experience was phenomenal. We booked a Deluxe Tent, which had a king size bed, very efficient air conditioner (don't worry about being hot in your tent), and the most incredible view of a small lake with so many birds. The sink and toilet were in a separate area of the tent, but the shower was outside. The shower took a bit for the warm water to come, but was so nice to enjoy fresh air while showering. The tent was clean and fantastic to relax in. The food was plentiful and delicious. We had booked bed and breakfast, but joined lunch the day or arrival and had supper both the day we arrived and the next day. We did not have lunch on the 2nd day because it had been a big breakfast and we were still full. The guides offer snacks while on safari (cheese and crackers, biscuits, soft drinks, juice and water). The park fees are expensive, but having our guide was so worth it. 3 safaris for 2 ppl and 3 meals (breakfast was included with our accommodation) for 2 ppl, bottle of wine and a beer was about $600 USD (this was in addition to the cost of our accommodation). They do take credit cards on site. Wifi worked well for us. Highlight was definitely spotting a leopard without any other jeeps around. Block 1 was busy, with line ups once a leopard was spotted, but we were fortunate to come across a leopard, sloth and elephants without any other jeeps in the area. And our driver was fantastic!! This is a bucket list destination - highly recommend.

Beautiful tent around a lake with a lot of wildlife to watch and take pictures of. Staff were amazing with looking after us, serving us and helping get us to our third party safari.

Toilet didn’t refill after flushing, had to take the top off to push the button. It’s a lot of money to spend per night with not a lot included.

Really friendly and attentive staff. We were given a room upgrade which was beautiful. Safari was informative and camp is in good location to avoid all the crowded areas. Food was also fantastic.

Great accommodation

Location poor with a shocking access road- you needed to make sure your body was all together each time you had to experience it - food ok but no selection and not great value for money

Services provided in the camp were excellent, room well equipped, comfortable and very clean. Staff were attentive throughout and the standard of the food was exceptional. Our guide for 3 Jeep safaris was amazing, highly knowledgeable and an absolute pleasure throughout our stay also taking care of everything at the camp as well. A nod to our excellent driver who made sure we saw as much as possible on the trips. Camp tucked away up a bumpy dirt track away from tourist area. From our personal experience it is not at all surprising this place has achieved it’s high accolades from a variety of prestigious travel guides 👏

WiFi limited to lounge/restaurant area (although appreciate location makes access difficult)

A very well built property but although the staff consists of very nice people, the service efficiency was very low. One would expect much better service at a hotel of such a high quality. The staff seemed eager to deliver but unable to do so in term of understanding, punctuality, and internal communication.

Very Nice team and guide Very good good Very Nice location - beautifull

Amazing concept and a gem property in Yala! We unfortunately only stayed for a night, but we’ll definitely come back!

The bed sheets, bed covers, sofa, towels etc are stained which growse and not 5*. We were charged for a space for dinner which is already setup.. and the dinner food is very basic (cantine style) the breakfast was nice. The check out is very early given that most hotels check out are 12pm and we were rushed to leave.

Atmosphere, friendliness, food experience, Knowledge about animals. The extra effort the staff did to make our time there something special

The staff is very friendly and try hard

- picture are all not showing the cheaper “deluxe” tent - there is no pool - you are 25 minutes away from Yala National Park gate - food is average - wonder how they could get a 5* rating

Amazing place and service. The room was beautiful, big and very confortable. Pali, Our guide with whom we did the safari was very nice and had lots of knowledge to share. We learned a lot during the safari with him. The staff were very caring and accomodating on specific diet and dietary requirements and the food was very good. I would definitely go back if I had the chance to travel there again.

You could not ask for a better location, better accommodation, or nicer staff. Wow.

Everything was great hospitality, food, place , clean and professionalism

Nothing

Exceptional service and an incredible experience. I’m desperate to go back.

Amazing staff, unique location, outstanding food. Safari guide and driver made the experience memorable.

the price we pay vs the actual room, not worth it at all.

The room is much smaller than the picture, and lots of insects. dinner is fixed price, not worth it either. super dark dining environment.

Good location good food very staff good service

Didn’t know we could not come out of the camp until departure. Our vehicle and driver stayed else where and was brought to the camp in their vehicle. Was not told before hand about transportation. We had planned to go out for dinner the first night but could Jit do so. This should be very early explained

Given recent reviews on google, we were a bit skeptical at first. But it seems that whatever feedback was given, action from hotel management followed quickly. We found the tents in great condition (fabrics almost new) and all common areas recently renovated with new wood floorings, bar area and welcome tent. The staff and especially your personal guide for the safari are amazing and super attentive. We had a great time, spotted leopards, enjoyed cold Gin and Tonics. Highly recommend Leopard trails if you’re looking for a glamping nature adventure.

WiFi in the tents could be improved for sharing our leopard pictures on social media.

Great location. Outstanding staff. Fairly easy access to Yala National Park

Food was good, but a little bland. Pretty expensive. Especially park fees, $320 for 2 people for 4 safaris, plus $50 per jeep trip from the lodge. Safaris are always expensive, but it all adds up! Oh, and we struggled with the pillows, which always seem to be very chunky in this country…(!)

Such a fun place ! True Glamping plus more. Food was Delish! Service was great thanks to Sanath our guide. Next place in Yala to stay for true Glamping experience.

Location, size of room, facilities, food, friendliness of staff - everything was top class!

Nothing at all.. it was amazing!

The experience of staying in a tent. Krishan was delightful. Food was fabulous. Drinks and bonfire on the deck, watching the sunset was lovely.

There’s nothing to do when you’re not on safari. A communal pool or additional places to sit in the shade and read a book would be good.

2 stars only because of the staff which are all super nice and go out of their way to accommodate

Main issue: property is obscenely overpriced. All in all I paid 1200 usd per room per night and racked up about 500 usd more in extras of lunch dinner and game drives For comparison I paid something similar in Africa and that's basically where the comparison ends. At such a rate paying for luxury lodge you don't expect it to be good 40 minutes drive just to the park entrance. Everything costs extra. Rooms are small, toilet has paper thin walls so you hear it all. Setting could be quite interesting basically being in the lake, but it is also super challenging during rainy season as coming in and out is rough through a lot of mud, and the camp itself is quite flooded All in all if the property cost what it should - no more than 300 usd, I wouldn't complain. But 1200 before extras is just a cash grab

Staff really helpful and friendly The Food was lovely Safari tour guides are brilliant and make your safari experience the best they possibly can

Bed / pillows could be better

The view from the bar deck was amazing. The lot a fire at night where we all chilled for a couple of hours before dinner. The food was delicious. We were up at 5am to get into the park before the lines of other jeeps. The guide was lovely and very knowledgeable and we saw 2 leopards. Elephants, we were very lucky.

We paid 380 dollars for a night thinking there was a safari included. There wasn’t, it was 200 extra which was robbery. The tents weren’t how they looked in the pics, they were damp and smelled very bad and the beds weren’t comfortable at all. There wasn’t anything else to do at the camp apart from sit at the deck and if you wanted a drink you had to go looking for someone who didn’t seem too happy to bring it till 6pm when we checked in at 2pm: also the welcome wasn’t very friendly, it was almost as if it was a chore having us there

3 reasons to stay here: 1. Wildlife - you stay closer than most to the quieter park entrance, meaning you get there before basically anyone else. Our guide Raj (who joined for each of our safari trips) was incredibly knowledgeable, enthusiastic and just generally a lovely guy - which makes a huge difference to the safari experience. They also pick good drivers who respect the animals but do their best to show you the good stuff (we saw 3 leopards and 100s of other animals). 2. Food/service - we didn’t realise the food would be so good! I would’ve stayed here for the culinary experience alone, even without Yala being nearby! Every single dish was delicious and the service couldn’t have been better. 3. Location - the campsite is in an amazing location with great views and the feeling you’re on an adventure but with all the amenities you need and a very comfortable tent.

The food portions were so big we couldn’t finish them all, which was sad because they were so delicious!

Absolutely everything was incredible. The food, the staff, the setting. A really once in a lifetime experience.

Nothing to dislike.

Friendly staff Food looked and tasted delicious.

Think twice before paying over $550 (AU) a night at Leopard Trials. Here’s why: Frequent Electricity black outs- the longest was 2.5 hours- and the tents get very hot, very quickly Unreliable WIFI- drops out multiple times every day and there was a slow response from staff. When we checked in at 2.30pm and asked for Wifi details, the guide said he’d get them to us but not before we went on a 4 hour safari so we had to wait around until 6.30pm. Leaking tents! Staff offered us a complimentary dinner, but upon viewing the final bill- we ended up paying for it which was a rude surprise. Our last breakfast was also cut short, taken away too early so a man we’d never met before could hand us the bill. He stood at the table until it was paid which was so awkward- I couldn’t even finish my tea! Staff seem to regard guests as expendable wallets- they purposely spend too much time showing you buffalo’s, peacocks, and deer on safaris and make minimal effort to try and find leopards. We felt this was a tactic they use to make you go back on a safari each morning and evening until check out. Keep in mind- safaris and food are very expensive! We were charged $60 AU for carbonara and that doesn’t include any drinks! Staff are borderline pushy- we felt pressured to keep going out on safaris and ordering lots of food. We understand they are a business but they made it look too obvious they were trying to squeeze as much out of you as possible. Poor facilities- This place flooded very easily as it’s in a low lying area and the facilities were unable to withstand such big rain so we were asked to stay on our tents. Don’t make a mistake and be ripped off so much money for something that’s just not worth it.

Beautiful and very well decorated camp. Truly luxurious, you feel you’re getting in a little heaven place of relaxation and nature. We loved our tent with the lake view. The safari tours are well organized, and our guide tour guide Krishan is a real animal lover and professional. Thank you for everything.

Very kind staff, who kindly upgraded us as we were the only ones on the property

Tent is not at all like in the photos - it’s a lot “older” than it seems, and none of the beds have nets around them which, staying in the jungle, means you get eaten by mosquitoes! Food was barely average.

Room and bathroom were very good and the guide we had was excellent (Ashan). They laid on drinks and a pit fire each evening which was fun and a chance to meet other guests

We had a lake view tent but there was no water in the lake so the view was somewhat disappointing. The immediate surrounding area was plain and very dry but I guess thats the time of year (August)

The interior design of suites room

Too dark and silent, location is quite good but wasnt able to sleep comfortably due to lizards

The room was spacious and had great amenities apart from wifi which is spotty. The staff are very observant and do a great job.

The wifi doesn’t work in your room and the guide wasn’t as knowledgeable or attentive as I expected. He was often looking at his phone rather than trying to spot animals. Also they charge extra for the safari as well as lunch and dinner.

Our stay was fabulous! The service and hospitality is outstanding. The tents are luxurious, the beds and pillows are super comfy. All the extras, they think of everything. We took a morning and evening Safari, our host Dahnula, studied zoology, probably the best safari guide we could have wished for. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. We are already planning our next visit.

Nothing

Breakfast was good, liked the place around us while having breakfast. Our host Raj was excellent along with his boys, took care of us well. Very happy. Would like to visit the place again.

The tent with the pool was perfect and Ashan our host and guide was amazing!

Great property , outstanding experience and service. To recommend Special thanks to our guide Krishan, who made this stay exceptional

Location location location- being based in Kataragama it’s away from the ‘normal herd’ of Yala safari locations.When out on safari, we met a small limited amount of safari trucks. Other cheaper companies based near the coast race up into the national park daily when the Yala park gates open leaving you eating dust from all other high speed vehicles and chasing wildlife away from all the human noises / vehicle seen . If this is your once a lifetime Yala safari, spend the money and do it properly. This company is also animal welfare minded Accomodation wise it’s like the photos. Luxurious tented accomodation Very spacious. Nice bed Beautiful pre dinner bon fire with a aperitif bar Stunning outdoor dinners - delicious food. Romantic setting with lanterns

Nothing

all

assistance before arrival on booking

- unique & luxurious tent experience - breathtaking dinner location (in the middle of the camp underneath a sky full of stars and glow worms 😍 - view into the nature - extremely friendly ranger

- we had two times dinner at the camp. I am vegan and my bf is vegetarian. on the second evening the food was not tasty. it lacked spices and the veggies were not cooked thoroughly. I couldn’t eat it. in case you are vegan please explain exactly what it means as I got also served dairy icecream. - on our last day the AC went down in our room. we were close to a collapse as the tent got so hot

very good location, many animals to be enjoyed at the room. staff is great and safari is fantastic! experienced guide and driver, we did see the leopard!

Beautiful location. Excellent facilities and food and service.

There was nothing I didn’t like.

Humble Staff with great wild animals knowledge and best in class property considering the location

Just Nothing to not like

Everything at Leopard Trails was absolutely perfect. Rooms (lakeside) Elegantly decorated, classic without feeling outdated. All facilitates were provided, including incredible aircon! Felt super luxe! Location Close to the entrance of Yala. we were first there for the morning safari. The People So attentive, went above and beyond to make the stay special. Great food. Safari we went out twice, the morning and evening. If we could have our time again, we would have done three in total. The team were very respectful of the animals, never getting too close and taking great pride in seeing them in their natural habitat. A HUGE shoutout to our tour guide Ashan who made our experience one that we will never forget. He is incredibly knowledgable, super passionate which made us even more excited, as well as knowing a lot about the bigger creatures he took much care and joy in the smaller ones too (side note, insane bird knowledge!). I even got a little photography tutorial, which meant that I could photograph the beautiful creatures with my new found skills. Would 100% recommend booking your stay here.

We had a great overnight stay. Our room was spacious, clean and comfortable and we enjoyed the plunge pool. You really feel like you are closely connected to nature at the camp. The staff were friendly and provided a great service. The location of the camp is also excellent - it's close to one of the main entrances to Yala National Park but not the main entrance used by all of the other properties, so you encounter far less traffic during the game drives. We enjoyed two game drives - one in the evening and one in the morning - and were lucky to be rewarded with excellent game viewings.

There were other tourists staying at the camp while we were there, including another couple. For some odd reason, the camp staff arranged for us to eat dinner and breakfast with them (though we didn't end up joining for breakfast). We have absolutely nothing against this couple, and had many lovely chats with them, but this is just a wholly inappropriate thing to do. I am sure that couple would have also wanted to enjoy some alone time especially since we spent hours with them on a game drive.

We've stayed for one night at Leopard Trails and it was a great experience! The program sounds like a rush upfront if you just have one night, but it wasn't stressful at all. The service personal did everything to ensure that we have an enjoyable stay! The food was delicious and the "tents" are super luxurious! And the pool is the best place for a quick refreshing. We were lucky and could watch a huge group of buffalos out of our bed in the morning! Also the bonfire and the dinner with the other guests under the stars was unforgettable! Additionally extra wishes were considered in regards to food. Our Safari Guide Hasantha did a fantastic job! He answered all our questions and was always reliable. Thanks again for having us!

Great location, staff and super customer service

It was a tad more expensive than we'd have liked it to be, but no complaints regarding the experience.

To list some of the all around perfect stay. - super quite and remote (if you don’t mind the sound of the jungle around you) - absolute adorable staff who try to fulfill any wish you might got - best Safari rides with the best driver (scooby) and incredible educated and nicest Ranger (Dhanula) who make this trip forgetable.

nothing, everything was perfect!

I loved my stay here! I arrived and got a yummy lunch and then was off on my first safari. I came back to a delicious outdoor candlelit meal- and everything made for me was vegan the entire stay- it was all very delicious and big portions. I loved the location as it was close to the north entrance and block 1 and it is far less busy as the other entrance, so entering Yala National Park. was easy and quick. My guide Dhanu was enthusiastic, engaging and so much fun to be on safari with. We spotted a leopard and a 4 month old cub and it was magical. I learnt so much from him too! My room was very comfortable, it had everything I needed, and I loved the plunge pool for cooling down after safaris during the day and late night with having the pool lights on. I enjoyed speaking with who I think is the manager- he has a wealth of wisdom and has great stories. His passion for nature is inspiring. If you love nature, this is the place to stay, and your gateway to Yala National Park.

That I only stayed 1 night, 2 would have been better.

Leopard Trails is one of the more unique hotel options in Sri Lanka and especially around Yala National Park. Our dedicated Guide/assistant for all things at the hotel and in the Park was especially lovely, efficient and useful to have. The food was excellent and plentiful and the chef was especially kind in providing special requests. Every meal was presented nicely and it never felt like we were in a tented camp but rather a semi-outdoor restaurant with gorgeous lighting in the evening and elegant meals throughout our stay

I can't think of much except perhaps the cost which seems exorbitant at first (especially during the high season) but once you factor in dedicated park guide costs, park entry fees, park transportation, meals, and accommodation, it feels less so. But well worth it for a special visit to the Park with family and friends. And to see leopards and all the animals so close by...

beyond amazing glamping experience. a guide and a keep dedicated to us

a bit slow for the breakfast. but we love you anyway!

Extraordinary care and personalized service provided by Danu and all other staff. He was fantastic in Safari too

they could have done better job in keeping flies and mosquitos away from the rooms. There were thousands of flies in the room and on our bed. We had to call them at midnight to help us get rid of them. They should install nets to tent doors and beds.

This place is awesome. The tents are really impressive. We were the only guests and the service was incredible. We did 3 private safaris and saw leopards + elephants and loads of other stuff. Our guide was fantastic, he was really knowledgeable and helpful and couldn't do enough to make sure we were well looked after. The food was also excellent.

everything is fine but the tent needs to be cleaned it has to much bugs

the tent was not very clean and needed to be taking care more