Udawalawe National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s finest wildlife destinations, most famous for its consistently excellent sightings of wild Asian Elephants throughout the year.
🌳 Key Attractions & Wildlife
Udawalawe’s landscape of open grasslands, scrubland, and the central Udawalawe Reservoir makes it an ideal habitat for large herds of animals.
| Feature | Details |
| Elephants | The park is home to a permanent herd of 600 to 700 Sri Lankan Elephants. Sightings are virtually guaranteed on any safari, often in large groups gathering at watering holes. |
| Other Mammals | Includes Wild Water Buffalo, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Toque Macaques, Grey Langurs, and Jackals. Leopard and Sloth Bear are residents but are seen very rarely due to the park’s more open terrain compared to Yala. |
| Birdlife | An important area for birdwatching, with over 180 bird species recorded. Raptors are commonly sighted, and the reservoir attracts various water birds like Pelicans and Cormorants. |
| Reptiles | The reservoir is populated with Mugger Crocodiles and Water Monitor Lizards. |
🗓️ Safari Guide & Best Time to Visit
Udawalawe is open year-round for safaris, with wildlife activity generally peaking during the cooler parts of the day.
| Safari Timing | Details |
| Morning Safari | Starts at 6:00 AM. Excellent time as animals are most active and the light is great for photography. |
| Afternoon Safari | Starts at 2:00 PM. Good time to catch animals moving towards water sources as the day cools down. |
| Best Season | The dry season (mid-May to end of September) is generally considered the best time for wildlife viewing as limited water sources draw animals closer to the reservoir and riverbanks. |
🍼 Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home (ETH)
Located near the park, the Elephant Transit Home is an essential conservation facility dedicated to rehabilitating orphaned elephant calves with the goal of releasing them back into the wild.
| Feature | Details |
| Purpose | Cares for young, orphaned, or injured elephants, minimizing human interaction to ensure they can survive in the wild after release. |
| Visitor Experience | Visitors observe the elephants being milk-fed from a designated viewing platform. You cannot touch or interact with the elephants, ensuring the ethical conservation goals of the facility are maintained. |
| Feeding Times | Public viewing is permitted at the daily feeding sessions, typically held at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM (noon), 3:00 PM, and 6:00 PM. |