What we say

The leopard materializes dappled by the shadows, yet fortunately for us, framed against lichen-covered rocks. Our tracker, perched on the vehicle’s hood, had spotted pug marks minutes earlier, reading the land with ancestral knowledge that no textbook could teach.
Leopard Safaris isn’t just another Yala operator. While convoys of jeeps jostle for position at popular waterholes, these guides take different routes, quieter approaches, prioritizing the animal’s welfare over the photograph. Their tracking skills are legendary—former poachers turned protectors who know every territorial male, every denning site, every movement pattern.
But what truly sets them apart is their commitment to community. They’ve pioneered eco-toilets at park entrances, established scholarship programs for local children, and employ exclusively from surrounding villages. Safari profits fund elephant-conflict mitigation—electric fencing, compensation schemes, and education programs that transform villagers from adversaries into conservation allies.
The camp itself treads lightly: solar power, waste segregation, locally sourced meals that support small-scale farmers. No plastic water bottles, no excess. Manager Malinda explains their philosophy simply: “The leopards brought the tourists. We owe them everything.”
After three days, we had a count of nine leopards, countless birds, a sloth bear, mongoose, crocodile, python and giant squirrels – it was extraordinary! More importantly, here conservation actually works—benefiting wildlife, communities, and visitors.

Our three words:

Ethical | Expert | Transformative

Philippa…

Hotel Story

Founded by Noel Rodrigo, renowned as the ‘Leopard Man’ of Sri Lanka, alongside his wife Cecile, Leopard Safaris Camps began operations in 2006 as a family-run venture. With over 35 years of experience tracking leopards in Sri Lankan wilderness, Noel has become a legendary figure in wildlife conservation. Together, they personally handle operations, management, and guest experiences while training some of Sri Lanka’s finest naturalists. Their team meticulously gathers GPS data and photographs of leopard sightings on every outing, contributing valuable research to conservation efforts.

Their vision centres on providing authentic Sri Lankan experiences with maximum comfort while preserving wildlife and supporting local communities. The environment and its wildlife represent their greatest assets, treated with utmost respect through minimal impact practices and continuous giving back to nature through reforestation initiatives.

Located on Yala National Park’s edge, this environmentally responsible retreat offers luxurious tented accommodations including doubles and family options. The camp features a saltwater eco-pool, lounge areas, and outdoor dining spaces for starlit meals. Guests experience immersive all-inclusive packages with hands-on educational activities and exclusive safari excursions to lesser-visited Yala areas. The property boasts one of the world’s highest leopard densities, while morning tropical birdsong and free-roaming wildlife including monkeys, squirrels, and occasional elephants create an untouched wilderness atmosphere where guests actively participate in habitat reforestation.

SUSTAINABLE SCORE : 59/70

  • Land Reclamation/Rewilding 10
  • Food from 50 Mile Radius 8
  • Organic Produce 4
  • Wastewater Recycling 5
  • Natural Materials / Heritage Building 8
  • Single Plastic Use 10
  • Local Staff 9.5

SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES

  • Tree-planting project to offset CO2
  • Zero-plastic policy
  • Co-existence with local wildlife – no fence policy. Security is provided through precaution, cleanliness and training
  • Educational safari tours in respect of wildlife and nature
  • No physical interactions with wildlife
  • Natural and bio-degradable bathroom amenities and insect repellent for guests
  • Drinking water is purchased in bulk with a refilling process and re-filled into glass bottles for the guests’ convenience
  • Training new guides with own developed naturalist program
  • Solar-powered water heating and deep well
  • Hosting educational Summer Camps with nature-based activities and workshops for children
  • A percentage of profits is kept aside to fund social projects, particularly identified deserving individuals or educational institutions, e.g. regular jungle garbage clean ups, nature art project and facilitation of playground in village school, funding of construction of artificial waterholes inside Yala National Park for the dry season.
  • Leopard Safaris has recently implemented a Leopard protection project where local farmers in vicinity of the national park are provided with safe fencing to protect their kettle in order to reduce the retaliative poaching of leopards

SUSTAINABLE SCORE : 59/70

  • Land Reclamation/Rewilding 10
  • Food from 50 Mile Radius 8
  • Organic Produce 4
  • Wastewater Recycling 5
  • Natural Materials / Heritage Building 8
  • Single Plastic Use 10
  • Local Staff 9.5

SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES

  • Tree-planting project to offset CO2
  • Zero-plastic policy
  • Co-existence with local wildlife – no fence policy. Security is provided through precaution, cleanliness and training
  • Educational safari tours in respect of wildlife and nature
  • No physical interactions with wildlife
  • Natural and bio-degradable bathroom amenities and insect repellent for guests
  • Drinking water is purchased in bulk with a refilling process and re-filled into glass bottles for the guests’ convenience
  • Training new guides with own developed naturalist program
  • Solar-powered water heating and deep well
  • Hosting educational Summer Camps with nature-based activities and workshops for children
  • A percentage of profits is kept aside to fund social projects, particularly identified deserving individuals or educational institutions, e.g. regular jungle garbage clean ups, nature art project and facilitation of playground in village school, funding of construction of artificial waterholes inside Yala National Park for the dry season.
  • Leopard Safaris has recently implemented a Leopard protection project where local farmers in vicinity of the national park are provided with safe fencing to protect their kettle in order to reduce the retaliative poaching of leopards

EXPERIENCES

Sustainable Yala Wildlife Safari
Guided Nature Walk
Tree-planting
Visit to ancient Sithulpawwa rock monastery
Sri Lankan Cooking Classes
Bird watching

HOW TO REACH HERE

BY AIR: The nearest airport is Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo), approximately 6 hours drive from Leopard Safaris Yala.

DESTINATIONS DISTANCE (KM) TIME (HR)
Tissamaharama 15 Km 20 Minutes
Colombo 250 Km 5 – 6 Hours
Yala National Park 5 Km 10 Minutes
Arugam Bay 90 Km 2 Hours
Tangalle 45 Km 1 Hour
Galle 155 Km 2 Hours 20 Minutes