Family safari · Yala Block 5

Young Explorers.

A shorter, gentler safari in Yala's quieter Block 5, with a tracker who turns footprints, droppings and alarm calls into a game.

4.9/5 from 290 families Elephants seen on most drives

On the park tracks Yala National Park Dan Arndt · CC BY-SA 4.0

Duration
3.5 hours06:15 pickup – 09:45 return
Park zone
Yala Block 5quieter, fewer jeeps
Group
Private jeepchild seats on request
Ages
5 and upyounger on request
Price
From $80per jeep + park entry
Overview

Long drives are hard on small children. This one is short, quiet and full of things to do.

Block 5 is next to Block 1 but sees far fewer jeeps, so the tracks are calmer and sightings less crowded. Elephants, crocodiles, deer, peafowl and hundreds of birds are common here. Leopards live here too, though they're seen less often than in Block 1.

Each child gets their own field kit with binoculars, a spotter's checklist and a pencil. Your tracker shows them how to read tracks in the sand and listen for alarm calls, and you're back at the hotel before the midday heat.

How the morning unfolds

Short, gentle and back by ten.

Times are a guide. If something is happening, we stay with it.

  1. 06:15

    Pickup from your hotel

    A later start than our dawn drives. Child seats are fitted if you've asked for them.

  2. 07:00

    Block 5 entrance

    Your tickets are already bought. Field kits are handed out and the tracker explains the day's spotting challenge.

  3. 07:15

    Spotter's challenge

    Kids tick off animals on their checklist. Peafowl, deer and monkeys usually come first.

  4. 08:00

    Tracks & signs

    We stop to look at footprints, dung and termite mounds, and work out together who passed by in the night.

  5. 08:45

    Snacks at the waterhole

    Fruit, biscuits and juice in the jeep while we watch crocodiles and wading birds.

  6. 09:15

    Head back

    A slow drive out, with one last look for elephants.

  7. 09:45

    Back at your hotel

    In time for breakfast and the pool, before the day gets hot.

The route

Where we'll drive.

A short loop through Block 5, about 40 minutes' drive from Tissamaharama. Your tracker keeps it flexible, so we can head back early if little ones have had enough.

Schematic route map of the Young Explorers safari Pickup in Tissamaharama, drive to the Block 5 entrance, then a short loop past open grassland, a waterhole and a tank before returning. YALA · BLOCK 5 Tissa Wewa Tissamaharamapickup Block 5 entrance Open grassland Waterholesnack stop Tank Tracks & signs N
Schematic map Not to scale. The route changes daily with sightings.
What's included

Everything for small explorers.

Included

  • Private safari jeep for your family only, open-sided with a roof (up to six guests).
  • A tracker who loves kids, from the villages bordering the park, plus your driver.
  • Hotel pickup & drop-off in Tissamaharama and Kirinda.
  • Kids' field kit: binoculars, a spotter's checklist and a pencil to keep.
  • Snacks & drinks: fruit, biscuits, juice and bottled water. Child seats on request at no extra cost.
  • Park tickets bought ahead, so there's no queue at the gate. You pay for them at cost.

Not included

  • Park entry fees, charged per person at the official rate and added to your booking. Children's tickets cost less.
  • Pickup from further away, such as Ella or the south coast. We can arrange it for an extra charge.
  • Tips for your tracker and driver. Optional, and always appreciated.
What to expect

What the kids will spot.

From our trackers' logs for this safari. Wild animals keep their own schedules.

  • Sri Lankan elephantElephas maximus maximusGood odds
  • Mugger crocodileCrocodylus palustrisNear certain
  • Indian peafowlPavo cristatusEverywhere
  • Spotted deerAxis axisEverywhere
  • Ruddy mongooseUrva smithiiGood odds
  • LeopardPanthera pardus kotiyaLucky

Leopards are less likely

Block 5 is calmer, but leopards are seen less often than in Block 1. For the best leopard odds, choose the Dawn Leopard Trail.

Quiet voices help

Shouting scares animals away. Our trackers make whispering part of the game.

The tracks are bumpy

Keep little ones seated while the jeep is moving. Child seats are available on request.

What to bring

Pack light, bring a favorite snack.

  • Hats for everyone
  • Sunscreen & insect repellent
  • A light layer for the morning
  • A favorite snack
  • Camera or phone
  • Passport numbers for the tickets
Good to know

Questions guests often ask.

What's the youngest age you take?

We usually take children from five. Younger children are welcome on request, with their own seat and a parent next to them.

Do you have child seats?

Yes. Tell us your children's ages when you book and we'll fit the right seats, at no extra cost.

What if my child gets bored or tired?

Just tell your tracker and we'll head back early. The price stays the same, and no one minds.

Will we see a leopard?

Possibly, but it's less likely than in Block 1. Elephants, crocodiles, deer, peafowl and monkeys are much more reliable, and children usually love them just as much.

How do I pay, and can I cancel?

There's no deposit. You pay after the drive, in cash (LKR or USD) or by card. Cancel or change your date free of charge up to 24 hours before pickup.

Older kids?

Ready for a longer drive?

Families with older children often move up to an afternoon elephant drive or a full day in Block 1.

Reserve a jeep

Small explorers welcome. We'll plan around naps.

Tell us your date and where you're staying. We'll confirm your jeep, your tracker and your pickup time, usually within a few hours.

  • No deposit, pay after your safari
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
  • Park tickets bought for you, no queue

Sunset over Yala Pramod Thilanka · CC BY-SA 4.0

Book Young Explorers

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