Udawalawe National Park
Sabaragamuwa Province
Photo by Kavishka Kulathilaka via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
About Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park is Sri Lanka's surest bet for wild elephants: around 600 live within its 308 km² of open grassland, scrub, and wetland surrounding the vast Udawalawe reservoir, and it is virtually unheard of to finish a safari without multiple sightings. The open, savannah-like terrain - often compared to East Africa - makes viewing wonderfully easy: lone bulls feeding beside the tracks, family groups dust-bathing, and calves sheltering between their mothers' legs. The reservoir draws huge water birds, crocodiles, and buffalo, while the scrub hides jackals, mongooses, and the occasional leopard. Just outside the gate, the Elephant Transit Home rehabilitates orphaned calves for release back into the wild; its public feeding times are a joy for families and a model of ethical elephant tourism. Sitting conveniently between the hill country and the south-coast beaches, Udawalawe pairs perfectly with Ella or Mirissa.
Top Activities
- ✓Elephant safari (sightings virtually guaranteed)
- ✓Elephant Transit Home orphan feeding times
- ✓Birdwatching around the reservoir
- ✓Wildlife photography on open grasslands
- ✓Boat trips on the reservoir
- ✓Stopover between Ella and the south coast
Nearby Attractions
Closest Places in This Guide
Straight-line distances; allow considerably longer by road, especially in the hills.
Travel Tips
Morning (6am) and late-afternoon drives avoid the midday heat.
Time your visit to catch a feeding session at the Elephant Transit Home.
Udawalawe breaks up the drive between the hill country and the southern beaches perfectly.
Travel Guides That Cover Udawalawe National Park
- Sri Lanka Itinerary: 7, 10 and 14-Day Routes That Actually WorkThree routes for a first trip, built around realistic travel times, the current state of the hill-country railway and the coast that is in season.
- 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.
- Sri Lanka on a Budget: What $30 a Day Really BuysA realistic breakdown of rooms, food, transport and tickets for budget travellers in 2026 - where the money goes, and where it quietly leaks away.
Quick Info
Best Time
Year-round; May to September is driest
Weather
Hot and dry most of the year; short rains October–January keep the park green.
Estimated Daily Budget
6.4389°N, 80.8983°E
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