Udawalawe National Park

Where elephants roam free beneath open skies and wild grasslands ripple with life.

​

📍 Location & Size

Udawalawe National Park lies in the southeastern dry zone of Sri Lanka, straddling the boundaries of the Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces. Just 165 km from Colombo and close to Ella and the southern coast, it’s one of the island’s most accessible and rewarding wildlife destinations. The park spans approximately 308 square kilometers.

 

🐘 The Land of Giants

Udawalawe is renowned as one of the best places in Asia to see wild elephants. It’s home to a population of over 600 Sri Lankan elephants, who

can be seen year-round.

 

The park’s open plains, scrub jungle, and the expansive Udawalawe Reservoir offer the perfect setting for elephant sightings — from solitary bulls bathing at the lake’s edge to playful herds wandering across open grassland.

 

This is elephant country in its purest, most natural form.

 

🐆 Other Wildlife You May Encounter

Though elephants are the stars, Udawalawe is rich with other wildlife:

Spotted deer and sambar

Wild boar

Mongoose and jackals

Occasional sightings of leopards and fishing cats

Over 200 species of birds, both resident and migratory

Marsh crocodiles, monitor lizards, and water buffalo around the reservoir

 

🦜 Birdwatcher’s Delight

Udawalawe’s open spaces, wetlands, and forest edges provide excellent opportunities for birding.

Highlights include:

Changeable hawk-eagle

Crested serpent eagle

Bee-eaters, kingfishers, and hornbills

Water birds like black-headed ibis, openbill storks, cormorants, and grey herons

The reservoir often teems with large flocks — a stunning sight at sunrise or sunset.

 

🛖 Elephant Transit Home – Ethical Conservation in Action

Just outside the park is the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, a wildlife rehabilitation center run by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Orphaned or injured elephants are cared for and later released back into the wild — often into Udawalawe itself.

 

Visitors can witness feeding times (from a distance) and learn about Sri Lanka’s elephant conservation efforts — a unique and ethical addition to your safari.

 

🌅 Why Visit Udawalawe?

Year-round elephant sightings

Great for first-time safari-goers and families

Easy access from Ella, the south coast, or Colombo

Photographer-friendly landscapes — especially during golden hour

Option to combine with a visit to the Elephant Transit Home

Quieter and less crowded than Yala, with excellent wildlife visibility