Yala National Park is one of the best places to observe wild leopards in their natural habitat. Block 1, the most accessible section of the park, encompasses a varied landscape of open scrub jungle, coastal lagoons, rock outcrops and freshwater pools that support wildlife, including elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and over 200 bird species. A Yala safari is considered an essential Sri Lanka experience, with early-morning game drives offering the best chance of leopard encounters.