Here are the widely recommended — and frequently booked — safari lodges and camps near Yala National Park, grouped by style (luxury → mid-range → rustic/budget). Each entry has a short “why stay” note, where it sits relative to the park, and a source you can check for photos/availability.

Luxury / top-end

• Wild Coast Tented Lodge (Relais & Châteaux) — Spectacular, architect-designed cocoon tents between the jungle and Indian Ocean; excellent food, private-plunge tents and guided safaris; borders the Yala buffer so wildlife (elephants, birds and sometimes leopards near the property) is commonly seen. Good if you want high‑end tented-safari comfort. (legacy.resplendentceylon.com)
• Uga Chena Huts (Uga Escapes) — Private “hut” villas with pools, built right on the Yala edge/Palatupana area; personalised safaris with experienced rangers and very private villas. Ideal for couples/families wanting comfort and immediate access to safari drives. (ugaescapes.com)
• Leopard Trails (tented camp) — Classic luxury mobile tented camp on the park boundary with an all‑inclusive safari package, highly rated guides and small camp size for a true safari feel. Great if you want tents with high service standards and two game drives/day included. (leopardtrails.com)
• Jetwing Yala — Large eco-minded resort close to the Palatupana entrance; resort facilities (big pool, beach access) plus easy, short transfers into Block I (the most visited sector). Good for families and guests who want resort comforts plus safaris. (jetwinghotels.com)

Mid-range / stylish

• Cinnamon Wild Yala — Tree-house style rooms, rooftop bar and strong on‑site safari programming; popular mid-luxury choice very near the park. Good balance of comfort and price. (cinnamonhotels.com)
• Camp Leopard / Leopard Nest (glamping ops) — Several locally run glamping/tent camps (Camp Leopard, Leopard Nest, etc.) offer comfortable AC tents or treehouses, small group sizes and authentic safari access right at/near the park boundary. Good for couples and photographers wanting a bush‑camp vibe with modern comforts. (campleopard.com)

Eco / rustic / budget-friendly

• Tree Tops Jungle Lodge — Small off‑grid eco camp set in wild bush (few tents), strong on local guiding, great for birding and a quieter, low‑impact stay; near less‑crowded northern/Block‑4–5 areas. Good if you want an authentic, low‑footprint jungle experience. (treetopsjunglelodge.com)
• Funky Leopard / local safari lodges — Several small, locally run lodges and guesthouses on the park perimeter offer very good value and easy access to safari jeeps. They’re basics vs. the luxury camps but practical if budget or proximity matter. (yalaparksrilanka.com)

Quick practical tips

• Best time for wildlife (especially leopard): dry season / peak safari months are roughly February–July (animals concentrate around waterholes). Yala is typically closed for rejuvenation in September–mid‑October, so avoid planning safaris then. Book key months early (Dec–Mar and May–July are popular). (yalalk.com)
• If leopard sightings are your priority: smaller tented camps on the park boundary (Leopard Trails, Wild Coast, some glamping operators) can get you into the park early/first or run bespoke drives with experienced trackers — that raises your odds. (leopardtrails.com)
• Book safaris through your lodge or a well‑reviewed operator (avoid unvetted street offers); request experienced naturalist guides and morning + late‑afternoon drives (those are the most active times). (atlasandboots.com)

Want me to?

• Narrow this to a short list by travel style (luxury vs budget), check current availability for specific dates, or compare two properties side‑by‑side (rates, exact distance from Palatupana gate, inclusions)? I can pull live rates/availability and direct booking pages if you tell me travel dates — or I can fetch current rates and links for any properties above.