Yala, Sri Lanka – Hilton Yala Resort has been named among the world’s best birdwatching destinations by Condé Nast Traveller Middle East, featured in its 2026 editorial on the most remarkable birding locations across the globe. For a resort tucked inside the buffer zone of Yala National Park, it’s a recognition that feels well earned.
Yala has long been one of Sri Lanka’s most biodiverse corners. With over 200 bird species — from endemic residents like the Sri Lanka Junglefowl to seasonal migratory visitors — the park offers the kind of variety that serious birdwatchers travel continents to find. Hilton Yala taps into that naturally by offering FGASA-certified, ranger-led safaris that take guests through wetlands, lagoons, and dry-zone forests where the birds actually live.
If you’re planning a visit, the May to September window is particularly rewarding. As water levels drop during the dry season, birds concentrate around lagoons and waterholes — making sightings of painted storks, spoonbills, hornbills, and raptors far more frequent and up-close.
“Each safari offers something unique,” said Sajith Withanage, Head Ranger at the resort. “Our goal is to provide guests with an authentic, educational, and respectful way to experience this incredible ecosystem.”
What sets Hilton Yala apart from a typical wildlife lodge is its position as Hilton’s only wildlife resort globally a distinction that shapes how seriously the property takes its conservation commitments, from habitat preservation to responsible safari practices.
For travellers who want more than a beach holiday in Sri Lanka, Yala is a genuinely different experience. And Hilton Yala is currently one of the most accessible ways to do it right.
