Kaudulla National Park
North Central Province
Photo by KR Chrutti via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
About Kaudulla National Park
Kaudulla National Park, twenty minutes north of Habarana, is the other stage for Sri Lanka's famous elephant Gathering. Centred on the ancient Kaudulla tank - part of the same 3rd-century irrigation network as Minneriya - the park inherits the great herds as the season progresses: when Minneriya's lakebed grass is exhausted or its tank refloods, hundreds of elephants file through forest corridors to Kaudulla's shores, typically making September to December its peak months. Safaris here often feel wilder and less trafficked than Minneriya's, with jeeps spread thinly around the tank's grassy margins as herds graze, spar, and shepherd wobbly calves to the water. Beyond elephants, look for sambar deer, crocodiles, and huge flocks of waterbirds. Local jeep drivers track the herds daily between Minneriya, Kaudulla, and Hurulu - trust their judgement on where the elephants are.
Top Activities
- ✓Elephant Gathering safaris at the tank
- ✓Waterbird flocks and raptor watching
- ✓Photography of herds at golden hour
- ✓Combine with Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa
- ✓Alternative drives to Minneriya/Hurulu as herds move
Nearby Attractions
Closest Places in This Guide
Straight-line distances; allow considerably longer by road, especially in the hills.
Travel Tips
Afternoon (3–6pm) safaris catch the herds coming to water.
Let your driver choose between Kaudulla and Minneriya on the day - the herds move.
September–October often beats Minneriya for sheer numbers.
Travel Guides That Cover Kaudulla National Park
- What It Costs to Visit Sri Lanka's Big SightsSigiriya, Kandy, Anuradhapura and the national parks - what foreign visitors actually pay in 2026, and which of the best places are free.
- Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka: A Month-by-Month GuideTwo monsoons take turns on opposite coasts, so somewhere is always in season. Where the weather is good in each month, and the festivals and wildlife worth timing a trip around.
Quick Info
Best Time
September to December
Weather
Hot and dry July–December (best); rains January–March.
Estimated Daily Budget
8.1656°N, 80.8934°E
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