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Ridiyagama Safari Park — Hambantota

Cover photo: Sach (Unsplash)

District

Hambantota

Province

Southern

Best for

Families and first-time safari-goers; open-zoo drive-through with elephants and big cats

Map

See it on the map

Open safari zoo at Ridiyagama about 20 km from Hambantota with lion, tiger and elephant zones plus a bird park. Open daily roughly 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; tickets around LKR 2,500-3,500 for foreigners. Combine with Mirijjawila Botanical Gardens nearby for a half-day trip.

About this place

Open safari zoo at Ridiyagama about 20 km from Hambantota with lion, tiger and elephant zones plus a bird park. Open daily roughly 8:30 AM-5:30 PM; tickets around LKR 2,500-3,500 for foreigners. Combine with Mirijjawila Botanical Gardens nearby for a half-day trip.

Visitor brief

Good to know before you go

• Open daily roughly 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; arrive early to fit the drive-through zones and bird park.
• Foreign adult tickets reported around LKR 3,000; confirm at the gate as tiers change.
• Plan 2-3 hours for the guided bus tour through the animal zones.
• Good family alternative to a full Yala safari; animals are in large enclosures, not fully wild.
• Combine with Mirijjawila Botanical Gardens for a half-day trip.

How to travel there

At Ridiyagama (~17-20 km from Ambalantota/Hambantota); bus toward Suriyawewa/Embilipitiya then tuk-tuk, or direct tuk-tuk/taxi from Hambantota.

Where to stay

Hambantota town (mid-range hotels) or Tissamaharama for combined safari-park and Yala itineraries.

Nearby places

Mirijjawila Botanical Gardens, Hambantota town, Bundala National Park, Ussangoda National Park

Scams to watch for

• No major scam documented; buy tickets at the official gate counter, not from roadside sellers.
• Private 'jeep upgrade' offers inside a bus-tour park add little; the standard tour covers the zones.

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