We really liked this tour. Dilantha was our tourguide and showed us all the best spots. All the animals we wanted to see, we saw. Especially the leopard was cool! We were the only jeep that saw the leopard, thanks to Dilantha

I stumbled on Yala Safari Service by accident whilst out for a walk around Tissa.I interrupted Naleen having lunch as I'd spotted his jeep parked outside the house. I wasn't going to go to Yala, well not the popular Zone 1 anyway. Been there done that and much of it I had disliked, it's just not my cup of tea. Far too many jeeps, far too many people but having been to Zone 5 and not having seen that much I decided I'd take another visit, Zone 1 couldn't be that bad could it and it was my last chance as we were leaving the following day? First let me tell you from previous experience that if you want to see Leopard or Sloth Bear then Zone 1 is the place to be but be warned, you will be in a bunfight trying to get a close view with dozens of safari vehicles jostling for position in one almighty Leopard jam. Not only that but when word gets out that a Leopard or Bear has been spotted the race to get to the head of the viewing queue is like taking part in "Whacky Races". Lots of people enjoy that, it's part of the thrill. I don't! I like nature as it should be quiet and unobtrusive viewing. The other thing that differs with me is I am just as happy to see birds, especially special ones as I am mammals. So, I'd made arrangements for Naleen to pick me up from my hotel, Yala Cinnamon Wild and both had to trust in the other to turn up. He was there waiting before I'd got there at an unearthly time in the morning. So far so good! We drove the short distance to the park gates and took our place in the queue to get in, already possibly about 20th in the queue of jeeps. I started to wonder if I'd made a mistake as more and more jeeps arrived behind us. This is when I gave Naleen my instruction... don't involve me in any Leopard or Bear jams, I'm not interested in taking part, just take me to quiet places where I can see things in peace! And that's what he did. I had a fabulous day...yes a day, not a half day. If you do take a tour to my mind a full day is a no brainer. You are in the park at it's quietest, when the morning visitors have gone and the afternoon ones haven't arrived. What really delighted me was not only Naleen's (and his young brother who came too) ability to spot things I had missed but their comprehensive knowledge of bird species we were looking at. I think they actually enjoyed the change of instruction to do something different. For me as an avid photographer Naleen understood the need for position, light etc etc and when I gave him a wish list of species he found most of them to my surprise too. Indian Pitta is a stunning little looker but it skulks around on the forest floor and it's really hard to find. He found one! Chestnut-headed Bee-eater? He knew exactly where to look. Crested Tree-swift? Took me to a great spot and with patience I got a decent photograph after waiting around for a while. Oh, and he found a Leopard too and we had it all to our own for a brief moment before it disappeared in to the bush. Disappointing it didn't stay long enough for a decent photo but I was too bothered.Been and done that before and if it's what you really want to do I'm sure you stand as good a chance of seeing one with Naleen and Yala Safari Service as with anyone but do remember, wild animals don't arrive to a timetable, there is always an element of luck in seeing something. So, without hesitation I strongly recommend Naleen, he's on my contacts list for any future visits and I'll book him well ahead to make sure he's available too. A top, top guide and dealing directly the prices are so much cheaper than booking through your hotel.