Yala National Park

Yala’s Block One has among the highest leopard densities recorded anywhere, and unlike in much of Africa the cats here are relaxed about vehicles — sightings are often unhurried.

There is far more than leopards: elephants, sloth bears, water buffalo, crocodiles, and exceptional birdlife around the lagoons.

Go early. Gates open at six and the first two hours are when cats are still moving. The park closes in September and early October for the dry season, when animals concentrate at the few remaining waterholes and the habitat needs relief.

A word on expectations: this is a wild animal in dense scrub. Two or three game drives give good odds; one guarantees nothing.