Skip to content
Dead trees standing in the water of the Udawalawe reservoir

South

Udawalawe

Open grassland and scrub around a great reservoir, the most reliable park in the country for seeing herds of wild elephants, with an elephant orphanage next door.

Plan a trip with Udawalawe
Time to spend
1 night
Best months
All year. October to December is a little wetter.
Getting around
Jeeps from your hotel or the park entrance on the Thanamalwila road.
Good to know
Udawalawe is a good stop between the hills and the south coast. The afternoon safari can be combined with a feeding time at the Elephant Transit Home.

Udawalawe National Park surrounds the Udawalawe reservoir on the edge of the hill country. Its open grassland and scrub make elephants easy to see all year: there are herds of several hundred living in the park.

Safaris also turn up water buffalo, crocodiles, spotted deer, jackals and many birds of prey. Leopards live here too but are seen far less often than at Yala.

Next to the park, the Elephant Transit Home cares for orphaned calves until they are old enough to be released into the wild. Visitors watch feeding times from a viewing platform.

What to see and do

  • Udawalawe National Park safari Must see

    DirectionsOpen in Maps

    A half-day jeep safari across grassland and scrub, with herds of elephants, water buffalo, crocodiles and birds of prey.

    3 hr 30 min · Morning · 06:00 to 18:00LKR 12,000 to LKR 25,000to confirmDetails

    Per person estimate: park fees for foreign adults (US$25 entry plus a US$10 service charge and a small vehicle charge, with 18% VAT, about US$42 in all) plus a share of a jeep; confirm with your driver.

  • Elephant Transit Home

    DirectionsOpen in Maps

    A state-run home for orphaned elephant calves, which are raised and later released into the wild. Visitors watch the calves come in for milk at set feeding times.

    45 min · MorningUS$5 foreign adultto confirmDetails

    About US$5 plus 18% VAT for foreign adults; confirm at the gate.

  • Udawalawe dam viewpoint

    DirectionsOpen in Maps

    The road along the dam gives a wide view over the reservoir and the park, often with elephants near the fence in the late afternoon.

    20 min · SunsetFree entryDetails

Also consider

Nearby places to stay

Photos

The wide Udawalawe reservoir with the hills beyond
The wide Udawalawe reservoir with the hills beyond
An adult elephant coming out of the bushes in Udawalawe National Park
An adult elephant coming out of the bushes in Udawalawe National Park
Young elephants at the Elephant Transit Home, Udawalawe
Young elephants at the Elephant Transit Home, Udawalawe

Ready-made trips that include Udawalawe

Use one as it is or open it in the planner and make it yours.