Udawattakele Royal Park
Central Province
About Udawattakele Royal Park
Udawattakele Royal Park - the 'garden above the royal palace' - is a 104-hectare forest sanctuary spread over the hillside directly behind the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. For centuries this was the pleasure garden of the Kandyan kings, forbidden to commoners; today its cool, shaded paths make one of the most rewarding easy walks in Sri Lanka. Trails with names left over from the colonial era - Lady Horton's Drive, Lovers' Walk - wind past a lotus pond, giant lianas as thick as a person, bat-filled caves, and Buddhist forest hermitages still in meditation use. The forest is a birder's delight, with Layard's parakeets, brown-capped babblers, and three-toed kingfishers among more than 80 recorded species, plus toque macaques, barking deer, and monitor lizards. Panoramic viewpoints look down over Kandy Lake and the city's rooftops. It is the perfect two-hour escape from Kandy's traffic, five minutes from the temple gates.
Top Activities
- ✓Forest walking on Lady Horton's Drive
- ✓Birdwatching (80+ species, several endemics)
- ✓Visit the lotus pond and royal bathing spots
- ✓See the giant pus-wela liana
- ✓Explore forest hermitages and caves
- ✓City viewpoints over Kandy Lake
Nearby Attractions
Travel Tips
Go early morning for the best birdlife and coolest temperatures.
Watch your bags around the macaques near the entrance.
Wear proper shoes - paths can be slippery after rain, and check for leeches in wet months.
Quick Info
Best Time
Year-round; December to April is driest
Weather
Mild and humid year-round; frequent afternoon showers - mornings are best.
Estimated Daily Budget
7.2989°N, 80.6440°E
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