Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park was established on 30th June 1972 (Government Gazette Notification No. 14). The primary objective of this declaration was to protect the immediate catchment areas and provide a safe refuge for displaced wildlife, mainly elephants, resulting from the Walawe Basin Development project. Udawalawe is the third most visited national park and an important habitat for waterbirds and Sri Lankan elephants (Elephas maximus maximus). It is one of the most recommended places to visit during wildlife photography tours and family holidays in Sri Lanka, managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation of Sri Lanka (DWC).
Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park encompasses an area of 32,315 hectares, including the Walawe Reservoir, and comprises microhabitats such as marshes, the Walawe River and its tributaries, woodlands, and open grasslands. The park is known for its extensive areas of thick grass, bushes, and trees. While predominantly consisting of grasslands, scrublands, and plains, mountainous and rocky areas can also be found.
The park lies within the country’s wet and dry zones, resulting in relatively dry weather outside of the rainy seasons from October to January and March to May. The left bank of the Udawalawe Reservoir is in the Ratnapura District, while its eastern sector on the right bank is in the Monaragala District. The southern boundary is defined by the Udawalawe–Thanamalvila road, with the Sevanagala sugar plantation located to the south of this road.
Flora & Fauna Inventory of Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park is home to 184 species of birds (33 of which are migratory), 94 kinds of plants, 21 fish species, 12 amphibians, 33 reptiles, 43 mammals, and 135 species of butterflies. It boasts an impressive population of Asian elephants, making it one of the best national parks for wildlife tours and birdwatching tours in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan elephants can often be seen in the park’s open habitats due to the abundance of grasslands. The Udawalawe Transit Home was established to care for abandoned elephant calves and has been integrating rescued calves into the wild since 1995. Other animals, such as the rusty-spotted cat, Sri Lankan sloth bear, various deer species, and boars, can also be found in the park.
Udawalawe hosts many endemic bird species, including the Sri Lankan junglefowl, red-faced malkoha, Sri Lankan grey hornbill, and brown-capped babbler, along with a variety of visiting water birds. This diversity creates Udawalawe as a hotspot for wildlife photography tours.
Highlights of Udawalawe National Park
Visitors can observe herds of Sri Lankan elephants in the afternoon at Udawalawe National Park. It is common to see multiple elephants or entire herds, particularly near rivers and the Udawalawe Reservoir, where the chances of spotting them are especially high.
The dry season, from May to September, is the best time to visit Udawalawe. Additionally, the neighbouring areas of Udawalawe are rich with notable attractions and tourist spots, such as the Waulpane Limestone Caves and the Elephant Transit Home, all located close to the national park.
- Do not feed animals or take any materials from the park (including plant parts, bones, rocks, etc.).
- Observe strict silence during wildlife sightings while on your safari.
- Do not leave your vehicle, lean out of the window, or climb on the roof.
- Only leave your vehicle in designated locations, such as Kumbuk Villa and Kudiramalai.
- Leave only your footprints; do not throw rubbish out of your vehicle—please take all garbage back with you.
- Smoking inside the park is strictly prohibited.
- Only 4×4 vehicles are allowed inside the park, and they must maintain a maximum speed limit of 25 km/h.
- Slow driving enables you to observe small animals such as birds, reptiles, and mammals.
- Ensure that your driver does not obstruct other vehicles or interfere with animal movement.
Visitors Guide / Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Yes. Recommended to experience a wildlife jeep safari at Udawalawe National Park during your holiday in Sri Lanka. If you are coming to Sri Lanka for a wildlife photography tour, Udawalawe National Park is a must.
Udawalawe National Park is a 365 day safari park, but recommended to visit during the dry season from May to September each year.
Foreign adults approximately Sri Lankan Rupees 4,500 (LKR) including taxes / local guide entrance / service charges etc.
Foreign Children age 6 – 12 Year approximately Sri Lankan Rupees 2,500.
Foreign Kids 0 – 6 Year Free of Charge subject to accompanied by parents.
Note – These prices are as per the 2022 January update and prices can be changed at any time without prior notice.
No. As of Jan 2022, this facility is not available, but this will be available soon. Contact your travel agency in Sri Lanka for more details.
Not really. All the approved travel agencies in Sri Lanka operate wildlife photography tours but there are few dedicated travel companies who specialise in bird watching & butterfly watching tours together with regular wildlife life tours in Sri Lanka.
No, you need to pay in Sri Lanka Rupees and any international currencies are not accepted for Uda Walawe National Parks of Sri Lanka for entrance fees
Approximate cost of half day safari Jeep at Udawalawe National Park would be 40 – 45 $
Fully day safari jeep cost at Udawalawe National Park 85 – 90 $
Better contact your travel agent in Sri Lanka to have a qualified driver and smooth jeep safari.
This price is based on 2022 January rates and the new prices may vary with fuel hikes / taxes etc
Cannot give a Yes or No answer since you are entering the zone of the untamed wild animals. The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has fully committed to the safety of the visitors. Code of conduct / rules for the safari jeep drivers are well in place. But make sure your own safety and always be inside the safari jeep and avoid unnecessary behaviours like feeding / shouting / selfie / high speed driving etc.
If you are travelling on your own, make sure to reserve a safari jeep well in advance to avoid last minute hassle at the entrance gate searching for jeeps which destroy your holiday. You can buy your entrance ticket at the gate. Keep water / camera / light dress / binocular ready.
If you travel through a travel agency in Sri Lanka, they will organise all these well in advance since all travel agents are having their own carefully selected pool of jeeps at each National Park Sri Lanka.
Simply email to info@jktravelssrilanka.com or SMS / WhatsApp / Viber to our hotline +94 766915112
As of January 2022, this facility is not available.
Yes, possible but subject to availability. Make sure to inform your travel agent in Sri Lanka in advance.
Since you are in a tropical country, yes, bugs / mosquitoes are there but this won’t affect your jeep safari.
Not at all. You are not allowed to feed animals at any National Park in Sri Lanka. This is an offence.
Yes, can but subject to medical advice. JK Travels operate babymoon holidays in Sri Lanka including safaris with very comfortable spacious safari jeeps with very careful slow driving and with very special care. In this case you need to inform your travel agency in Sri Lanka.
Casual, comfortable cotton clothing is suitable due to temperature and ideal colours are Khaki, brown, white, green and beige. Please note: brighter colours like blue or red are proven to attract insects.
All jeeps are open, but a tent is there to cover you if it rains.
Can I stay in a luxury tented camp near Udawalawe National Park?
Yes, there are few luxury tented camping operators in Udawalawa and contact your travel agency in Sri Lanka or JK Travels to go with a safest / luxury tented camp.
Yes, these are escorted jeep safaris.
Professional photographers who carry numerous small to large equipment. If you have a special requirement such as tripod / long lenses etc., please let your travel agent in Sri Lanka know in advance, we are happy to customise your wildlife photography safari.
Yes, toilets are available at the entrance premises.
6 people can accommodate 1 jeep but it’s comfortable for 3 – 4 people in 1 jeep. If you are on a wildlife photography tour, we recommend keeping 2 -3 people in 1 jeep maximum to have a better experience.
Yes. Most of the Safari jeeps are Indian made but there are Japanese made Toyota / Mitsubishi as well. Price will be slightly higher than the Indian made jeeps.
Since you are in a tropical country, yes, bugs/mosquitoes are there but this won’t affect your jeep safari
Not at all. You are not allowed to feed animals at any National Park in Sri Lanka. This is an offence.
Tipping is common in Sri Lanka and if you are satisfied with the service you received from them, we recommend paying a reasonable tip for a tracker & jeep driver.
Light costumes / recommended colours are Green, Beige, khaki, tan etc.
Sunblock / Sunglasses / Lip balm / hat
Insect repellent
Binoculars are recommended to improve sightings
Camera and accessories such as spare batteries, memory cards
JK Travels will load required cool bottled water / soft drinks / snacks etc
What are the other National Parks to see Elephants in Sri Lanka?
Yala / Wilpattu / Bundala / Wasgamuwa also has the best safari parks in Sri Lanka with Elephants and other wildlife species
Exclusive jeeps are fully loaded with cool water / snacks / soft drinks etc. but if you are an individual traveller, better you check with your travel company or jeep provider.
Not at all. You are not allowed to get down the Jeep and must be inside the vehicle unless otherwise instructed by the wildlife tracker.
Ceylon Expeditions generally check meal plans well in advance and arrange accordingly.
If you are an individual traveller, better you check with your Travel agent in Sri Lanka.
Only you will need a valid passport or National Identity Card to enter the national parks of Sri Lanka.
How far in advance do I need to book Udawalawe National Park Safari?
If you are an individual traveller, you do not need an advance booking and you may obtain the ticket at the entrance gate. But if you travel through a Travel Company. Better you inform them well in advance to reserve the safari jeep and tracker and other logistics arrangements.
Dialling from Sri Lanka phone 047 3475896
Dialling from an international number +94 47 3475896
No, Sri Lanka National Parks are not pet friendly.
No, it's banned to do night safaris / Infrared drives in Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka.
There are 26 National parks in Sri Lanka.
Yala National Park / Wilpattu National Park / Minneriya National Park / Kaudulla National Park / Hurulu Eco Park / Bundala National park / Horton Plains National park / Wasgamuwa National park / Udawalawe National Park.
Generally, travellers bring packed breakfast & lunch both.
But if you travel with Ceylon Expeditions, we deliver fresh lunch (Local rice & curries / cool water) to the inside of the National Park during your full day safaris on request.
Early morning and afternoon hours preceding sunset are ideal times to view wildlife.
No mobile signals are available in Udawalawe National Park. Signals are jammed purposely by the government to enhance the experience of the wildlife enthusiasts.
In the immediate neighbourhood of Wilpattu, there are approximately 34,000 people living in 135 settlements. Coastal fishing, livestock-rearing in the north and south, but largely rain-fed agriculture, are among their main sources of income. Living next to a national park has its drawbacks, such as animals eating the crops, but it also has its advantages, such as job opportunities in the tourism industry. Wilpattu has a Community Outreach program that aims to reduce such problems and to increase the benefits by working closely with the local people. Visiting the Wilpattu National Park leads the way to study about typical livelihood of the people who are living in the buffer zones of Wilpattu National Park and this is recommended for your experiential holidays in Sri Lanka.
Highlights of Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park is located on the dividing line between Sri Lanka’s wet and dry zones. The topography is dominated by plains, while there are some mountainous places. The park is bordered on the north by the Kalthota Range and Diyawini Falls, and on the south by the Bambaragala and Reminikotha outcrops.
The park receives 1,500 MM (59 inches) of mean annual rainfall, the most of which occurs between October and January and March and May. The average yearly temperature is around 27–28 degrees Celsius (81–82 degrees Fahrenheit), with relative humidity ranging from 70 to 83 percent. The major soil type is well-drained reddish-brown soil, with poorly drained low humid grey soils present in the valley bottoms. The beds of water streams are mostly made up of alluvial soils.
Elephant Transit Home (ETH) at Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe Elephant Transfer Home, an elephant orphanage. The Department of Wildlife Conservation established it in 1995 to house over 40 orphaned elephants. The park’s orphaned calves and juveniles are taken to the orphanage and cared for until they are ready to be released back into their natural habitat. Once they’ve been released into the park, park officials take it upon themselves to keep a close eye on the animals until they’ve adjusted to their new life in the wild. Recommend visiting this Elephant transit home during your family holiday in Sri Lanka.
Elephants at Udawalawe National Park
Elephant herds of 50 to 60 individuals are common in Udawalawe National Park, and game drives are conducted in open-top jeeps with the assistance of local wildlife guides. The easiest to observe is the Sri Lankan elephant, a subspecies of the mainland Asian elephant found in India and Thailand. This gentle giant has become a much-loved wildlife emblem all around the world due to its peaceful nature and formidable size. It has no seasonal variation in herds of elephants. The best hours to visit the park are in the mornings and evenings.
Wildlife of Uda Walawe National Park
The wide and lush landscape of the Udawalawe Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park is home to a diverse range of mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish which gives you a good wildlife safari experience during your family holiday in Sri Lanka.
The park’s principal attractions include Water Buffalo, Wild boar, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Jackal, Black-napped Hare, mongooses, bandicoots, foxes, and the endemic Toque Macaque and Gray Langers, who keep company with the elephant herds. A leopard sighting, as well as other smaller cats such as the Fishing cat and Jungle cat, would be rare. While the crocodiles doze off on the banks of the reservoir, the water monitor lizards are abounding in the park. Hence Uda Walawe National park is also the most recommended destination for wildlife photography trips and bird watching tours in Sri Lanka together with wildlife educational field trips.
Birdlife in Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park is one of the best areas in Sri Lanka to witness Sri Lankan many endemic and migratory bird species during your birdwatching tour in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan junglefowl, Sri Lanka spurfowl, Sri Lanka green pigeon, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, Sri Lanka woodshrike, and Sri Lanka swallow are all endemic birds. Spot-billed pelican, little cormorant, Grey heron, Indian pond heron, Cattle egret, Great egret, Little egret, Intermediate egret, Painted stork, Woolly-necked stork, Yellow-wattled lapwing, Green bee-eater, Crested treeswift, Painted stork, Woolly-necked stork, Yellow-wattled lapwing, Green bee-eat Sirkeer and Blue-faced malkoha can be found in forested places. The highest diversity of avifauna stands for the testimony of the best setting for your birdwatching holidays.