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Udawalawe National Park
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Overview
Udawalawe National Park is the surest place in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants. Set around a large reservoir on the edge of the hill country, its open savannah grassland is home to a resident population of elephants that does not migrate, so herds with calves are seen on almost every drive — making it a favourite for families and first-time safari-goers.
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Elephant Safaris in Udawalawe National Park
Beyond elephants, Udawalawe teems with water buffalo, spotted deer, marsh crocodiles, monitor lizards, jackals and over 180 recorded bird species, all across open country where wildlife is easy to spot without long waits. The lack of dense jungle and the guaranteed elephants make it the most reliable and least crowded of Sri Lanka’s big parks.
Just outside the park, the Elephant Transit Home is a genuine rehabilitation centre run by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, where orphaned calves are bottle-fed and later released to the wild. Visitors watch a feeding from a viewing platform at a distance — no riding, no bathing, no contact — which makes it a responsible alternative to captive attractions.
Things to Do in Udawalawe National Park
- Wild elephant herds with calves
- Open-grassland 4x4 jeep safari
- Elephant Transit Home (rescued calves)
- 180+ bird species & marsh crocodiles
Good to Know
- Entrance fee: about USD 15 + service charge & VAT (2026)
- Best time: all year; dry season is easiest
- Getting there: 2 hrs from Mirissa, on the Ella–coast road
- Cheaper & quieter than Yala
Udawalawe features on our family and wildlife tours. Our private Udawalawe safari with a coastal drop-off from Ella turns your transfer to the beach into a game drive, and day safaris run from Bentota, Mirissa and Galle, with the jeep, tracker and all park fees included.
Udawalawe National Park highlights: Wild elephant herds with calves, Open-grassland 4×4 jeep safari, Elephant Transit Home (rescued calves), 180+ bird species & marsh crocodiles.
Best time to visit: all year; dry season is easiest. getting there: 2 hrs from Mirissa, on the Ella–coast road. Lanka Itinerary can include Udawalawe National Park in a private, fully customisable Sri Lanka tour with a local chauffeur-guide. Contact us to plan your trip.
Key Tour packages based on Udawalawe National Park
Key Activities
For elephants, Udawalawe, without hesitation — open country, resident herds and sightings on almost every drive. For leopards, Yala, because the density is higher, though it is far busier. If you have time for one safari and are travelling with children, we would send you to Udawalawe.
Park entry is about USD 15 per foreign adult, plus service charge and VAT — roughly half the cost of Yala. On our safaris the jeep, tracker and all park fees are included.
Yes. It is a rehabilitation centre run by the Department of Wildlife Conservation: orphaned calves are bottle-fed and later released into the park. There is no riding, no bathing and no contact — you watch a feeding from a viewing platform at a distance. That is why we include it and not captive attractions.
No wild-animal sighting is ever guaranteed, but Udawalawe's elephants are resident rather than migratory, so herds are seen on the great majority of drives — it is the most reliable elephant park in the country.
It is about two hours from the south-coast beaches and lies on the road down from Ella to the coast, which makes it ideal for a transfer safari. Day tours run from Bentota, Mirissa, Galle and Ella.