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Udawalawe Safaris: How To Pick The Best Trip in 2024!

Sri Lanka has some incredible national parks, with lots of opportunities to spot incredible wild animals! Here are my top recommendations for the best Udawalawe safaris to get the best sightings.

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3 Hour Udawalawe Private Safari

The very best out of all of the Udawalawe safaris has got to be the Udawalawe National Park Private Safari including Jeep Tickets . You really do get the greatest experience by having your own driver, who can cater to your every whim during the tour! We do not recommend getting a full-day tour as it is a relatively small park and you will save money and have a great time on the 3-hour version.

Udawalawe Safari National Park

Udawalawe is truly a special place, especially if you’re an elephant lover. We saw over FORTY ELEPHANTS on our trip!! You can see from the video that there are so many about, and they often come quite close to your jeep once you’re silent and still because they’re interested in what you’re doing.

The jeep drivers know how to keep both you and the elephants safe though, and never get too close themselves, sometimes revering away if an elephant looks a little too friendly!

You really can’t visit Sri Lanka and not experience one of the Udawalawe safaris on offer, so reserve your spots quickly before they sell out and pay just 2 days before your trip!

Read More: The Best Place To See Elephants On Safari in Sri Lanka

Where is Udawalawe National Park?

Udawalawe National Park is in the south of Sri Lanka, around 1 hour – 1 hour 30 minutes away from the coast.

The park is spread over about 300 km2 of land, so it’s a pretty big place!

What Should All Udawalawe Safaris Provide?

On all Udawalawe safaris, the absolute minimum you should be given is a bottle of water per person! On the longer tours, you’ll be given breakfast and even lunch, depending on how long it lasts.

Some companies offer free binoculars as well which are very helpful whilst driving along in the national park.

When you book, double-check to see if the actual entrance fee to the national park is included. Sometimes it isn’t (so the price you are paying reflects that) but it’s better to be prepared so that a) you bring enough cash and b) you aren’t tricked into thinking you’re getting a great deal when in fact you have to pay extra on the day.

Read More: The 23 Best Wildlife Tours In Sri Lanka

The driver should also be knowledgeable about the animals – this adds huge value to your trip because you’ll find out lots of random facts about the nature you’re seeing from someone who knows what they’re talking about! On our Yala safari, our guide had a book about all of the different animals you could see in the park, and showed us whenever he saw something cool!

Most Udawalawe safaris will include hotel pick-up in the price too. If you’re within 5km of the park, then you’ll be picked up. However, if you’re further than that, or in a completely different town, then check with the company to see if they offer hotel pick up for a fee. Some of the safaris are specifically sold to customers who are elsewhere in Sri Lanka, so they already know that you’ll be some distance away.

Check out the links below for safaris that will pick you up if you are staying in the following towns:

• Galle, Mirissa or Ella
• Bentota, Induruwa, Aluthgama, Beruwala, Maggona, Kalutara, Waskaduwa, Wadduwa, Kosgoda , Ahungalla, Balapitiya, Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa & Rathgama

A Typical Itinerary Of All Udawalawe Safaris

Most of the Udawalawe safaris follow a similar itinerary, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on something depending on the company you choose!

When booking your safari, you’ll get the choice of a 3, 6 or 9 hour tour. These each come with tickets paid for in advance, or you can book an option where you pay the entrance fee for the national park when you arrive.

I would highly recommend a 3 hour safari trip like this one . The main animals you’ll want to see here are elephants, and there so many which means you’ll find some quickly! We spotted our first elephant around 5 minutes into the drive!

I think 3 hours is enough because you’re almost guaranteed elephant sightings, so after the three hours has passed, you’ll likely be ready to leave the bumpy jeep! Obviously this is up to you – if you are elephant obsessed, then spending nine hours watching them might be a dream!

For some safaris, like in Yala, I’d recommend a full 12-hour day tour, but at Udawalawe, 3 hours is definitely enough.

Read More: How To Choose An Epic Safari In Sri Lanka & How Do Make The Most Out Of A Single Week In Sri Lanka

The time that you’ll be picked up from your hotel will depend on if you’ve chosen a morning or afternoon drive, as well as your location. If you’re coming from the south coast, be ready to greet your guide at least an hour before the safari is meant to start. You’ll organise specific times once you’ve booked.

Entrance Gate

You’ll have to stop at the entrance gate so that your driver can pay for entry, the service charge, the vehicle fee and the tax. This is where you’ll need your cash IF the fees aren’t included in your tour price. The prices are quoted in dollars, so if you are paying in rupees then you’ll just be charged the equivalent on the day.

Here are the fees as of 2022:

Find The Animals!

Here’s the fun bit! You’ll drive around the park, keeping a keen eye out for any animals on the road or hidden in the trees.

If you see something, shout out to your driver to stop – they are also on the lookout but they’re driving too so they might miss something.

All of the tour companies usually communicate whilst on the drive so if one jeep spots a group of elephants, they’ll send out a message to everyone else. This is good because it means that more people are looking out for the animals (here they focus on the elephants) so you’re sighting chances are much higher.

The only downside to this is that if YOUR jeep finds a group of elephants and you’re enjoying the peace while watching them, shortly afterwards there might be five more jeeps on their way. It’s give and take, but I think the take is definitely worth it!

Lunch – Depending On Your Tour

Some of the longer tours include breakfast or lunch – if you’re on a safari for 9 hours then you’ll need to eat! You can also usually pay extra to have a meal even if it isn’t included.

You can also bring your own snacks to have throughout the trip if you’re on a budget – many hotels offer a little picnic breakfast or lunch!

The park closes at 6 pm, so you’ll leave before then and be driven back to your hotel.

What Animals To Expect On An Udawalawe Safari

Sri Lanka is home to some beautiful animals, from whales in the deep Indian Ocean , to leopards sunbathing in the mountains. There are plenty of animals to spot on your safari, especially if you are lucky enough to get some binoculars! Here are the main different types and what you can expect to see.

This national park is an important place for many mammals, and it’s great to see that they all have enough space to share with each other.

Elephants are a big deal in Sri Lanka – there are plenty of government and private conservation efforts going on in order to keep them as safe as possible.

The main reason you’re going to try out one of these Udawalawe safaris is to see elephants! There are huge numbers of these beautiful creatures in the park, from males roaming solo to grandmothers leading their families and protecting the babies.

There are a few different types of monkey that you might see in Udawalawe – the toque macaque which is only found in Sri Lanka, and the tufted grey langur. We saw a few groups of monkeys playing around and eating leaves which was cute!

Just like the monkeys, there are a few different species of deer scattered around Udawalawe National Park. They like to stay in groups, so if you manage to see one, then keep an eye out for their family. You might get lucky and meet a baby too!

Water Buffalo

These like to laze around in and around the watering holes, so if you’re near water, there are probably a few water buffalo nearby!

These stunning animals are very famous in Sri Lanka, but they’re usually spotted down in Yala. There have been sightings of leopards on some people’s Udawalawe safaris, but it is very unlikely and if that’s what you’re coming to see, you’re better off staying down south and visiting Yala National Park .

There are almost 200 species of bird that have been recorded at the park, so you’re almost guaranteed to see a variety.

This is another endemic animal to watch out for as you won’t find it in the wild anywhere else in the world!

Peacocks are a common sight in Sri Lanka, so you’re likely to see at least one of these majestic birds at the park. One of the great things about spotting animals on a safari rather than just on the side of the road is that they’re more likely to display natural behaviour – so you might get to see the beautiful mating call of a male peacock on your tour!

Malabar Pied Hornbill

Listen out for these ones – they’re a noisy bunch! They’re also really unique to look at so don’t forget to grab a picture or two.

There are a surprising amount of reptiles that are often spotted on Udawalawe safaris – here are the most interesting.

Water Monitor/Bengal Monitor

Both of these types of lizards can be found in Udawalawe National Park. Usually, they’ll be sitting silently, but if your jeep drives past they’ll probably run into the bushes. They’re so prehistoric and exciting to see!

Yep – these magnificent beasts can be found in Sri Lanka! They are partly the reason you should never leave your vehicle, especially as they camouflage so well. Look out for them in the water and the surrounding land.

There are plenty of species of snake hiding under the grassland, but keep a particular eye out for the Pipe snake. It’s endemic to Sri Lanka and is not poisonous so don’t be too afraid if you see one!

The Best Time To Experience These Udawalawe Safaris

Luckily, there is no real bad time to visit Sri Lanka, or Udawalawe specifically.

There are wet and dry seasons, and usually in this part of the country is dry early in the year. Any time between January and March is generally considered the best time to visit Udawalawe for your safari.

There are also choices of morning or afternoon safaris. There are positives and negatives about choosing both, so in the end, it just depends on your preference.

You are HIGHLY likely to elephants on this tour – we went on an afternoon safari and saw elephants within 5 minutes of entering the park! Other people have said that they experienced the same thing but in the morning – so if you’d rather have a lie-in, choose an afternoon safari and if you’d rather make the most of the sunny afternoons or getting to your next destination, then go in the morning.

Going on one of the Udawalawe safaris is definitely an experience of a lifetime – you’ll encounter so many beautiful elephants in their natural habitat, which is just an incredible thing to see. Males are roaming around solo trying to find females to mate with, grandmothers are leading their herds and the rest are looking after the babies (yep, there are plenty of young elephants to spot on your safari too!)

Click on the button below to reserve your seat on a private jeep safari (and remember that you can book now and pay later to secure your spot!)

Where To Stay In Udawalawe

We stayed at Green View Safari Resort for two nights and had the perfect stay. Click on the button below for pictures of the property and to read hundreds of reviews so you can see for yourself why we loved it so much!

There are plenty of guesthouses and hotels in the town centre, as well as close to the national park. Some of these offer their own Udawalawe safaris, but I would recommend booking with an official guide so that your money is safe.

Before finding Green View Safari Resort, we had the unfortunate experience of turning up at our original hotel and being refused a room because we didn’t book one of their Udawalawe safaris. We complained to Booking.com, who then contacted the hotel. The hotel lied and said that we didn’t turn up – imagine how frustrated we were! Luckily, we found Green View Safari Resort who immediately came to pick us up and Booking.com gave us a voucher for the trouble.

Check Out The Reviews Of Green View Safari Resort Here

The new hotel we stayed in was fantastic and I couldn’t recommend them enough.

The customer service was excellent – I’ve never met a friendlier couple! The room was large, had A/C and even a little sandwich toaster! Breakfast was included and at dinner time, the owners cooked a delicious buffet rice and curry meal for $6.

They even offered a free tuk-tuk journey to the nearby spa where you could choose from a variety of cheap massages.

It only took around 10 minutes to reach the national park too which is great if you’re waking up early and don’t want to waste time travelling.

I’d stay there again in a heartbeat, and I’d 100% recommend to you that you choose Green View Safari Resort when finding somewhere to stay near Udawalawe National Park!

What To Pack For A Safari Trip

In addition to anything you’d need for a trip to Sri Lanka, here are the things we recommend that you take on the safari itself!

These light and ergonomic binoculars are the perfect travel accessory. They're easy to hold and have a non-slip grip, and the rubber eyecups are comfortable even after long periods.

Do not let a brilliant experience be ruined by pesky insects biting you all over your body. Insect repellant is not expensive but not having it can affect much more expensive activities. Pick up a bottle of this Picaridin bug spray and enjoy your travel.

This will probably be the last selfie stick you ever buy! It has a sturdy aluminum telescopic 40" range, a tripod for propping your phone up in better locations, a detachable wireless shutter button so you can control when all pictures are taken, and extends down to a brilliantly compact size making it perfect for any type of travel.

We all know the benefits of antibacterial hand spray, even before the pandemic. These are especially important for backpackers as you will find yourself in situations where soap and water might not be at hand. These small spray bottles have been specifically designed for travel and can easily fit into luggage and day packs.

If you don't like the side effects many nausea-reducing medications create then you could try one of these electrode stimulator wristbands. This particular one is FDA-approved, is waterproof, and has up to 30 hours of battery life.

This is a true blessing on hot days, stuffy plane journeys and humid hikes. It has 3 speeds and only takes 3 hours to fully charge. You can hold it in front of your face, clip it to objects like umbrella handles and bus seats or just rest it on a table.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are the udawalawe safaris.

You can choose from 3, 6 or 9-hour long safari tours. We would recommend a 3-hour tour to Udawalawe.

How do I book one of the Udawalawe safaris?

You can click on any of the green buttons in this post to book one of our top recommended Udawalawe safaris.

What is the best time to visit Udawalawe National Park?

The best time to visit is between December and January to minimise chances of rain, but the weather here is quite unpredictable sometimes!

Which is better: Yala or Udawalawe?

This depends on what you want to see! Both parks have lots of similar animals, but if you want a higher chance of seeing a leopard, then go to Yala. If you want to be pretty much guaranteed to see elephants then go to Udawalawe.

How many elephants are there in Udawalawe National Park?

This is a difficult number to pinpoint, but the Udawalawe Elephant Research Project estimates that there are about 400 elephants in the park.

How do I get to Udawalawe National Park?

You can hire a driver (ask your hotel) or you can choose a tour with hotel pick up included in the price.

Are there leopards in Udawalawe?

There are some incredibly rare stories of leopard sightings in Udawalawe but don’t hold your breath. Go to Yala for the best chance of seeing leopards.

Have we helped you to choose your Udawalawe safari yet? Let us know if you have any questions in the comments!

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Udawalawe Safari In Sri Lanka – Visitor’s Guide

An Udawalawe Safari Tour is a perfect way to get up close and personal with some of Sri Lanka’s most exotic wildlife.

Udawalawe National Park is a sanctuary that covers 31,000 hectares and it’s an important habitat for many species of birds, water buffalo, crocodiles, and elephants.

I have put together this complete guide to Udawalawe including how to get there, where to book an Udawalawe Safari, and what to expect on the tour!

Table of Contents

WHERE IS UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK?

Udawalawe National Park is located 165 km from Colombo and 95 km from Matara.

Click here to see the location on Google maps.

WHERE TO BOOK AN UDAWALAWE SAFARI

You can book your Udawalawe Safari Tour online in advance with Klook which has great reviews and hundreds of bookings!

Alternatively, you can book the Udawalawe Jeep Safari through your accommodation when you arrive.

The cheapest option is to share a Jeep with some other people staying at the same accommodation as you.

The approximate cost of a Jeep that seats 6-8 people is 6,000 Rupees and the entrance fee to Udawalawe National Park is 3,500 Rupees.

I personally booked my safari through Makulu Safari Camping which was really affordable and a great experience.

Have you got travel insurance for your trip?!

We all know accidents can happen and having Heymondo Insurance will save you thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.

Heymondo offers low-cost Travel Insurance to keep you covered on all your adventures.

MY EXPERIENCE ON THE TOUR

My morning started at 5:30 am when I had breakfast and tea at the Makulu Safari Camp before jumping in the back of the Jeep to make my way to the entrance of Udawalawe National Park.

There were quite a number of Jeeps already in line to enter the park and straight away I thought that we would be in line for ages and then once entering that we would be behind a conga line of other Jeeps. This wasn’t the case luckily.

We waited in line for around 20 minutes and then once our Udawalawe Safari began our driver took us off the beaten track away from the other Jeeps.

The dirt roads on the tour are quite bumpy though our driver was considerate of this and drove appropriately over the bumpy sections.

The fog was very thick at the beginning but then eased off as the sun began to rise.

Whenever I spotted some wildlife, I would yell out to the driver and he would stop the Jeep and turn the ignition off so I was able to take some photos and videos.

The Uawalawe Safari Tour takes around 3 to 4 hours and as I said earlier, the best time to do the safari is early morning.

This is the first safari I have been on and it definitely did not disappoint.

Book Now → Udawalawe Jeep Safari

The Most Functional Day Pack EVER!

The Nomatic 20L Travel Pack is perfect for everyday use and for those shorter 1-3 day adventures.

With 20+ innovative features and a minimalist design, this functional day pack gives you confidence for life on the move!

There were hundreds of peacocks either perched high on the branches of a dead tree or scurrying around in the bushes below.

There are many different bird species that call this place home and a passionate bird watcher would be in heaven.

I also spotted several crocodiles as we approached the reservoir inside the park and not too far away was a herd of water buffaloes drinking from the lake.

But of course, the main attraction is the Sri Lankan elephants. There are approximately 600 male and female elephants roaming around so your chances are very high that you will come across these magnificent creatures.

Our driver was communicating on the phone with the other drivers inside the park to seek out the elephants.

I was fortunate enough to encounter around 15 elephants and even though stepping out of the vehicle is prohibited, we still managed to get as close as we possibly could to the elephants.

Of course, one item that I couldn’t recommend bringing enough is your camera, but taking your best travel lenses along is also essential.

BEST TOURS IN SRI LANKA

Where to stay in udawalawe national park.

The best place to stay is in Udawalawa, a small town that is located 10 km away from the entrance to the National Park.

The best time of day to do the safari is when the park opens at 6 am, so it is ideal to stay one night in the nearby town of Udawalawa and be ready for an early start.

Search places to stay in Udawalawe on Booking.com

There are also camping options available in the area which is a great experience that I highly recommend.

My friends and I stayed one night at a campground called  Makulu Safari Camping .

Our accommodation for the night was a safari tent on the edge of a river bed, nestled in the jungle.

The tents are raised off the ground on a wooden deck with 2 large double beds and a bathroom inside. This place has some serious magic about it!

Surrounded by coconut palms, beautiful flora, and fauna and the staff are super kind and welcoming.

We paid USD $40 split between 4 people and breakfast was an additional USD $7 each.

Definitely go and check this place out, I promise you will not regret it!

Book Now → Makulu Safari Camping

WHAT TO PACK FOR SRI LANKA

When visiting Sri Lanka, here are a few items I highly recommend taking with you:

Must-Have Travel Essentials

Hidden money wallet.

Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!

Reusable Water Bottle

The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!

Travel Backpack

The Nomatic Travel Backpack has 20+ innovative features, perfect for everyday use!

Quick-Dry Travel Towel

The most compact, lightweight, and quick-dry towel for traveling!

Portable PowerBank

Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!

More Sri Lanka Travel Guides

Click the button below to view all articles related to Sri Lanka!

FINAL THOUGHTS – UDAWALAWE JEEP SAFARI

I hope you have enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about the Udawalawe Safari, please leave me a comment below!

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

Search and book accommodation worldwide.

Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere.

Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world.

Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.

Search all rental cars in your next destination.

Need travel insurance for your next trip?

THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

Please know this post may contain affiliate links. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and it’s a big help to keep the site up and running. Rest assured, I only promote products and services that I personally use and recommend.

Click here to find out how you can support the site organically .

Many thanks!

7 thoughts on “Udawalawe Safari In Sri Lanka – Visitor’s Guide”

Planning to go in Sept, would you recommend anything to do after the national park? Thanks in advance k

Hey, yes for sure there is lots to do. Check out this post – https://www.jonnymelon.com/2-weeks-sri-lanka-itinerary/

Valuable blog article, it was quite interesting nice work. I want to thank you for this informative read, I really appreciate sharing your post. Thank You.

I enjoy the article

awesome glad you love it!

epic post!! I want to go!

cheers man! yes definitely

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A complete guide to visiting Udawalawe national park, Sri Lanka

• July 24, 2023
• curious goose

This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use these links, with no extra cost to you.

Located in Sri Lanka’s hill country, the protected forests and grasslands of Udawalawe national park is one of the world’s best places to see wild elephants and one of Sri Lanka’s most popular national parks.

Here’s a complete guide to visiting Udawalawe National Park, including how to get there and what to expect from a safari tour of the national park.

Where is Udawalawe national park? Which is the best national park in Sri Lanka? What animals can you see in Udawalawe national park? What to expect on the Udawalawe Safari tour Visiting the Elephant Transit home Where to stay near Udawalawe national park? How long do you need in Udawalawe?

Where is Udawalawe national park?

The vast reserve of Udawalawe national park is located in south of Sri Lanka. It sits between the tea plantations and forests of Nuwara Eliya and Ella in the central hill country region, and the sandy coastline of Sri Lanka’s southern beaches.

The best way to reach Udawalawe is by car and I would recommend hiring a driver to take you there. Hiring a driver is a common and cost-effective way to get around Sri Lanka where public transport options are limited.

Which is the best national park in Sri Lanka?

The answer to this really depends on whether you want to see a specific animal. For example, the larger and popular Yala national park has a large leopard population. Whereas, the quieter Bundala national park is known as being an important home for migratory birds, the highlight of which is the flamingo. The Udawalawe national park is home to wild elephants. Therefore, if your main objective is to see elephants up close, then you would be best visiting Udawalawe national park.

What animals can you see in Udawalawe national park?

The area of Udawalawe was designated as a national park in 1972 and it’s primary objective was to provide a safe refuge for the wild elephants. It also created an important habitat for water birds and other animals. We chose Udawalawe national park because we specifically wanted to see elephants, which Udawalawe is famous for. However, within the park you can also see other animals such as water buffalo, deer and crocodiles and, if your really lucky, you might even spot a leopard.

What to expect on the Udawalawe Safari tour?

The Udawalawe national park offers various safari tours by jeep , which you can take as a half day, or as a full day tour. At no point are you allowed to leave the jeep to get close to the elephants and you will not be able to ride or pet the elephants. These are wild elephants and the park is their home, where they are protected.

We opted for a private morning safari so that we weren’t out in the afternoon when the sun is more intense. Having a private tour also meant that we didn’t have to compromise on the experience by sharing it with others. We could also spend as much or little time in each location as we wanted. The jeep picked us up early from our hotel and we had to queue with the other jeeps to gain entrance to the park.

Once we were in the park, the jeeps all spread out and took different routes within the park. This was so that the elephants were not crowded by lots of jeeps all trying to get the same view. We decided to hire a nature guide with our driver. I personally think this is the best way, as the guide could tell us all about the history, wildlife and conservation within the park.

Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and it was really interesting listening to him throughout the tour. He guided the driver to the lesser-known areas of the park and for much of the tour we were the only jeep around. Being able to watch small herds of elephants in their natural habitat was so magical. We were so grateful to have our guide take us to these spots where we could watch at a safe distance and not disturb them.

Our tour package included breakfast and we were treated to a gorgeous array of fruit, eggs and bread with orange juice and tea, which the driver and guide set up for us on a little table and chairs, overlooking the reservoir. We were definitely not expecting such a luxurious breakfast and we felt very spoilt!

The Elephant Transit home

Also in Udawalawe is the Elephant Transit Home. The transit home is supported by the Born free foundation and was set up to rehabilitate orphaned elephants. The elephants are then released back into their natural habitat, many into the Udawalawe national park.

The Elephant Transit Home is open to tourists to visit to learn about the elephants and their rehabilitation. You can’t get close to the elephants, but you can observe them being fed from a distance. This is a great way to see elephants if you don’t have the time or budget to go on a safari in the park.

We didn’t visit the transit home, however, as we felt the experience at the national park was special enough and we were lucky enough to see so many elephants on our safari tour.

I would definitely recommend taking a safari tour at one of the national parks whilst in Sri Lanka. Seeing these elephants at Udawalawe national park was one of the highlights of our trip.

Sri Lanka has not always had the best reputation for protecting the welfare of their wildlife. So, for any animal encounters you are thinking of doing, make sure it is responsible and protects the safety of the animal. Lonely planet has some good advice on their website regarding what to look out for.

Where to stay near Udawalawe national park?

There are many hotels in Udawalawe that specifically cater to those visiting the Udawalawe national park. Other than hotels, there’s not much else in the area, so make sure that your hotel or accommodation has options for food and drink. We stayed at Elephant Trail hotel , which was just outside of the national park. The hotel was really great value and had a pool, restaurant and bar. We were also able to book our safari package through the hotel as well.

How long do you need in Udawalawe?

We stayed for two nights in Udawalawe and felt that was a good amount of time without feeling too rushed. Our journey from Ella took a couple of hours and we arrived around lunchtime. We spent the afternoon by the pool, before getting an early night ahead of the safari the next morning. After the morning safari, we chilled by the pool for the rest of the day. If you don’t have much time, you could get away with staying just one night then set off to your next destination after a morning safari.

For help planning your trip to Sri Lanka, make sure you take a look at my two week Sri Lanka itinerary !

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Udawalawe National Park Safari

Udawalawe National Park Safari Choices:

We offer a range of safari tours in Udawalawe National Park; you can choose one of those for a memorable wildlife holiday in Sri Lanka . Upon receiving all your distinct requirements, we are more than happy to offer you a 100% tailor-made safari tour. There’s so much to learn in this wonderful national park. We can arrange a guided tour, which is the best choice to learn about the park and its first-class elements in detail. Any Udawalawe national park safari can satisfy your mind and soul through hundreds of nature’s miracles. Every safari package in this national park is unique; feel free to choose and book your preference. 

Udawalawe National Park is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants. An Asian elephant herd, no less than 250, is permanently residing at Udawalawe National Park. The park is capable of sustaining large numbers of elephants because of its abundant water sources. Hundreds of elephants annually migrate to the park from

Udawalawe National Park Jeep Safari You will be greeted and picked up from the most closely located hotels in Udawalawe or the meeting point near the park’s main entrance. On arrival at Udawalawe National Park, you will enjoy a thrilling 3 hours safari with our jeep driver.

• Hotel picks up and drops off to most closely located hotels in Udawalawe
• Refreshments and water bottles during the safari.
• Cost of the safari jeep.
• Pick up and drop off will be provided by a safari jeep.
• All government taxes
• Entrance fees to Kaudulla National Park are US$ 25.00 per person (approximately).
• Gratuities.
• Anything not mentioned in inclusions.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

• Group Size 1 to 6 travelers per a group. This is a private safari and only your group will participate
• Transportation Transportation can be arranged for extra cost from Mirissa, Galle, Hikkauwa, Bentota or Wadduwa. ** Please enquire
• Customizable ? Yes, Please enquire for customize package.
• Need Assistance ? +94 779 165 755 [email protected]

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A Complete Udawalawe National Park Safari Guide For 2023

Taking an Udawalawe National Park safari with kids was the highlight of our Sri Lanka holiday with the kids and one of our top recommendations for things to do in Sri Lanka with kids .

With around 500 resident elephants, an Udawalawe National Park safari is a great choice for a Sri Lankan safari if your kids love elephants.

Udawalawe NP has the largest population of Asian elephants of all of the national parks in Sri Lanka. They come for the abundant supply of water and so on an Udawalawe National Park safari, elephant sightings are all but guaranteed.

Note : It is not widely known yet but in September 2022, the Sri Lankan government increased the entrance fees for Udawalawe National Park. See below for more info.

Before you start reading about safaris in Udawalawe National Park, we wanted to let you know that we have a comprehensive guide to the best safaris in Africa that might interest you.

This post contains affiliate links. Should you click on them, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Udawalawe National Park safari

History of Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park was created in 1972 to provide a habitat for animals displaced by the construction of the Uda Walawe dam.

The damming of the Walawe river created a reservoir and wetlands which attracted many aquatic birds and animals.

It’s backed by the dramatic highlands to the north and made up of 119 square miles of open grassland, with wetlands and dense jungle.

Where is Udawalawe National Park?

Udawalawe National Park lies about 160km southeast of Colombo and 120km northeast of Galle. It’s a relatively easy hop from the Sri Lankan coast if you’re staying on one of the many beautiful Sri Lanka beaches .

According to Google Maps, Udawalawe should be around 2 hours 45 mins from Galle but there’s no accounting for what the traffic will be like.

Our journey from Galle took around 3 hours 30 mins because traffic was quite heavy. We were travelling on a Poya day though which didn’t help.

Every full moon is a public holiday in Sri Lanka (Poya), with more Sri Lankans travelling on the roads. This is something you can check in advance when planning your itinerary.

Some people arrange day trips to visit Udawalawe National Park but we’d recommend staying locally the night before.

The best wildlife spotting opportunities are sunrise and sunset. If you don’t stay locally, you would have to get up in the middle of the night to get to the park for sunrise or get back late to your hotel after a sunset safari.

Udawalawe National Park sign

Where to stay in Udawalawe National Park

There are dozens of small Udawalawe hotels or homestays to suit all budgets within 10 minutes drive of the main park entrance. Click here to see our family-friendly Udawalawe hotels guide .

We decided to stay in budget accommodation for this part of our trip because we just needed a bed for the night, arriving late in the afternoon and leaving at 5.30am for our safari.

We stayed at Peacock Riverside which was basic but clean. It had hot water, ceiling fans and mosquito nets over two double beds.

The owner and his wife were very friendly and accommodating but for us, the highlight was the incredible homemade food. It was some of the most delicious food in Sri Lanka but it’s hard to convey just how delicious it was.

The fact that the boys allowed us to pile their plates will have to be proof enough!

Dinner at the Peacock Riverside in Udawalawe

For more suggestions on where to stay in Udawalawe, check our best family-friendly accommodation in Sri Lanka which gives options to suit every budget.

Best time to visit Udawalawe National Park

The best time to go on a safari in Udawalawe is between December and March and May to September. This is the dry season when there will be less scrub and it’s easier to see elephants.

Access can also be an issue outside of these months, with roads and tracks getting flooded.

We chose to take an Udawalawe National Park safari when we visited Sri Lanka in December because it was the right time of year and it was conveniently on our loop of southern Sri Lanka .

How long is an Udawalawe National Park safari?

You can choose between full-day safaris or half-day safaris in Udawalawe. Half day Udawalawe safaris are probably enough if you have young children as they last about 3 hours.

Any longer and we find the kids start to get restless.

Our guide had no problem cutting ours a little short when the kids started getting hangry. If you have kids with you, we would recommend hiring your own jeep and driver so you can make this decision.

If you’re staying in Udawalawe for a couple of days, you could do a morning and an afternoon safari to see the park at different times of day. See below for details on the cost of a half-day safari.

How to choose an Udawalawe safari guide

If you arrange a jeep through a tour company, please do check the reviews. Some offer a poor experience with inexperienced drivers/spotters.

We had to flag one driver to slow down as he was about to run over a monitor lizard that he hadn’t spotted.

We also spent a little while helping out a family whose driver had got them stuck in a large mud rut and broke their axle trying to get out.

Our driver was not impressed and explained that there are a few cowboy operators out there.

We arranged our jeep and driver through our accommodation. See below for details on the cost of a half-day safari.

If your accommodation can’t arrange a guide, then here are some reputable safari tours you can do.

Jeep stuck in the mud at Udawalawe

Our Udawalawe safari experience

We had an early night and set the alarm for 5am. Our host had arranged for the jeep to pick us up at 5.30am.

This allowed time to get to the park, get our tickets (expect to queue or for your driver to queue for up to 15 minutes at the ticket office) and get in for 6am when it opened.

An early start (or dusk safari) gives the best opportunity of seeing wildlife as the animals are most active then (read our guide to wildlife spotting ).

After getting our tickets, we drove straight into the park. The first thing we heard (after getting away from the many other jeeps at the entrance) was the call of peacocks, and very quickly noticed the abundance of bird life to start with.

Within five minutes we saw eagles, peacocks, bee-eaters and many other birds we weren’t familiar with.

Bee eater in Udawalawe National Park

Our Udawalawe safari did not disappoint on the elephant front either. We saw several individual elephants up close and in the distance.

There were a couple of family groups – including babies and adolescents – hanging around and feeding.

Elephants in Udawalawe National Park

We then headed to the wetland section of the park which surrounds a large lake and is populated with many types of aquatic birds (egrets, cormorants, stork, heron among others).

On the far side of the lake we were told there was a crocodile sunbathing on the shore. Although we had binoculars, we still weren’t sure we could make it out.

It looked like a log! If it was a crocodile, it most certainly wasn’t our best sighting of one.

Some guides have amazing eyesight and will spot things that you may be completely oblivious to.

Kids are also great spotters which is a great reason to take them on safari. Sadly we didn’t spot the elusive leopard, but we knew that this would be unlikely.

For better chances of seeing leopard, you may want to consider heading to Yala National Park , which supposedly has the highest density of leopards of any national park worldwide.

We did indeed see a leopard there, though sadly it was dead and being eaten by a crocodile… but that’s another story.

Udawalawe Safari Costs

Our costs for arranging a safari at Udawalawe were:

• Private jeep with driver/guide – around LKR 4000  for half day (3-4 hours).
• Park entrance fees of $25  per adult and $15 per child (under 6 are free) plus a LKR 250  jeep charge, all plus 15% tax.
• If you are staying overnight in the park, there is a $50 charge per adult and $30 per child.

Please note that new entrance fees were introduced by the Sri Lankan government in September 2022.

You can check here for the most up to date park fees .

Top Tips for taking an Udawalawe National Park safari

Go to the bathroom before setting off as there are no facilities in the park!

To keep the kids interested and engaged, why not print off an animal spotting list. Remember to take a pen.

Interesting animal fact – Sri Lanka has the highest number of deaths from snake bites each year. But don’t worry, unless you are wandering around in the rice paddies or in rural areas at night you are highly unlikely to ever see a snake – much to my boys’ disappointment!

Accommodation around Udawalawe National Park

Booking.com has a wide range of properties available in and around Udawalawe National Park.

We also have a list of accommodation for families near Udawalawe .

If you found this post helpful, why not bookmark it, share it with friends or pin it for later?

Hi guys, great little blog!!!! We are heading to Sri Lanka in 3 weeks (yay) and planning a morning safari to Udawalawe NP. So excited! Love the photo of the jeep in the mud. Our kids are almost 7 and 4 and quite well travelled. My main worry with Sri Lanka is going from Ella-Kandy on the train. I have read so many horror stories. Did you do this trip? Thanks, Amber

Hi Amber, thanks for the comment… officially our blogs’ first comment :) We have done the Ella-Kandy train ride, but on a previous trip without kids a few years back. I’d recommend booking at least a few days in advance (there were no next day tickets to anywhere from Ella when we were there this Dec), and if you’re travelling with all your bags it will be a real squeeze – the trains on this stretch of line all seem jam-packed with locals and tourists. If you are thinking that it is a long journey (8ish hours), then you could consider doing the most scenic stretch on the train and then getting a driver to pick you up to complete your journey. The views and street food on sale on the trains make it very special though. Have a fantastic trip, and let us know if you have any specific questions or worries!

Just a heads up, the park now costs 43 dollars per person to enter! I just went this morning, it gets a little less per person if you have more in your group! Hadn’t seen anything online about the price increase so just thought to mention it so people aren’t surprised!

Thanks for the heads up. The fees apparently changed in September 2022 but it was very hard to find this info!

Sujie from peacock Riverside is greeting and thanking u for the block. We are staying there to night, after have been reading your review. We also thank you for sharing!!)

Best wishes from the jungle.

That is great to hear – thank you for letting me know Lisa! Enjoy your time there.

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