Hilton Yala Resort’s Rangers’ Team has achieved another significant milestone in professional wildlife guiding and conservation education, with several team members earning internationally recognised CyberTracker Track & Sign certifications following an intensive evaluation programme conducted at Yala National Park.
The certifications were awarded under the CyberTracker Conservation evaluation system, developed by renowned conservationist and scientist Louis Liebenberg. The internationally recognised standard is widely regarded as a benchmark for assessing wildlife tracking abilities and ecological observation skills.
The successful candidates received Track & Sign I, Track & Sign II and Track & Sign III Secondary Certificates, demonstrating their ability to identify and interpret animal tracks, signs, behaviour and ecological interactions within natural environments.
The assessments were conducted by internationally respected wildlife tracking specialists Mr. Lee Gutteridge and Dr. Kersey Lawrence (PhD), who recently returned to Hilton Yala Resort to conduct an advanced programme focused on wildlife tracking and ecology.
Mr. Gutteridge is the founder of Nature Guide Training, one of Southern Africa’s respected field guide training institutions. With more than three decades of field experience, he is among the select FGASA Scout Guides, the highest guiding qualification awarded by the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA).
He is also a Master Tracker, wildlife author, CyberTracker evaluator and guide trainer, with graduates of his programmes working at leading safari lodges across Africa.
Joining him was Dr. Lawrence, founder of Original Wisdom, a scientist, educator and internationally recognised tracking specialist. She is the first woman in the world to earn the title of Senior Tracker within the CyberTracker system and is also a qualified CyberTracker evaluator.
Her doctoral research focused on the ecology and culture of tracking, and she has established herself as a prominent advocate for ecological literacy and wildlife tracking education internationally.
The latest certifications further strengthen Hilton Yala Resort’s commitment to professional wildlife guiding, continuous learning and conservation-focused guest experiences, while enhancing the expertise of its Rangers’ Team in interpreting and understanding Yala’s diverse natural environment.
Hilton Yala Elevates the Destination Dining Experience
Hilton Yala Resort has introduced an exciting new collection of menus at Dhira – The Region’s Kitchen, reinforcing its position as a distinctive dining destination in Sri Lanka. The new offerings invite guests to embark on a culinary journey inspired by the flavours, ingredients, traditions, and stories of the region.
Set between the Indian Ocean and the wildlife-rich surroundings of Yala National Park, Dhira – The Region’s Kitchen has earned recognition for its distinctive dining concept, bringing together locally sourced ingredients, regional influences, and contemporary culinary techniques to create memorable experiences rooted in place and culture.
The newly introduced menus feature an extensive selection of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and plant-based dishes, carefully curated to showcase the diversity of Sri Lanka’s culinary heritage while incorporating influences from across South and Southeast Asia. From comforting local favourites to refined signature creations, each dish is designed to immerse diners in the flavours of the region while maintaining the elevated standards associated with Hilton.
Guests can start their day with signature breakfast offerings such as Good Morning Sri Lanka, an authentic tasting plate featuring Egg Hopper, String Hoppers, Milk Rice, Fish Ambulthiyal, curries, and sambals. Alternatively, Eggs on the Beach offers a creative take on coastal flavours, combining poached eggs, sea prawns, turmeric-coconut emulsion, and curry leaf toast.
For lighter options, diners can choose from creations including the Coco-Ananas Hopper, Red Rice Pancake, and The GM Oatmeal, each inspired by Sri Lanka’s abundant tropical produce.
At lunch, the menu celebrates the island’s agricultural and maritime heritage with dishes such as the Yala Curry Treat, which brings together Sri Lanka’s diverse produce, spices, and culinary traditions. Other highlights include Black Pepper Koduwa, Dhira Butter Chicken, and the flavour-rich Seafood Hokkien Fried Rice, showcasing the abundance of fresh seafood available along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline.
Hilton Yala Rangers Earn Prestigious CyberTracker Track & Sign Certifications After International Assessment
