Udawalawe National Safari Park in Sri Lanka is one of the most famous nature reserves in the country and popular tourist destination. Spread over an area of almost 31,000 hectares in the south of the country, the reserve is about a third the size of Yala Safari Park.
Keep reading this post to get all the information you need to plan perfect visit to Udawalawe national park in Sri Lanka. Our travel guide covers such topics as how to get there, best safari tours, how much time to spend, what to see and other information for first time visitors.
Udawalawe National Park General Info
The main advantage of the park is a relatively small number of visitors. Don’t expect to see the jungle here: savanna dominates in Udawalawe, elephants are the main inhabitants of the park – the symbol and pride of the state.
Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka has several types of savannas. Significant flat areas are occupied by meadows and shrubs. In other areas, low grass gives way to tall grass and areas with sparse trees – these are the favorite habitats of elephants in Udawalawe. Small spaces are occupied by a forest where Ceylon ebony trees grow – a source of the most valuable black wood.
About 3,500 hectares of the reserve are occupied by the Udawalawe reservoir with adjacent water bodies and wetlands.
What Animals Can You See in Udawalawe Park
It depends on what kind of animals you’re looking for. If your goal is to meet leopards then go ahead to Yala, as Udawalawe is the best place if you would like to avoid crowds of tourists and want to see herds of elephants.
Elephant Kingdom
Elephants are the true owners in Udawalawe Park. Chances to these glorious animals in their usual habitat are 100%. Here they feel at ease, demonstrating completely natural behavior.
They are accustomed to people, and usually are completely indifferent to tourists who take pictures of them from open jeeps. Experienced drivers can notice if an elephant is aggressive and approaching the car, in order to avoid any conflicts they just drive away.
The World Organization for Animals Protection, in its study on the conditions for keeping elephants to attract tourists, stated that Sri Lanka is home to the largest number of wild elephants. According to preliminary data, from five to six thousand of animals live in the wild and up to 200 elephants in captivity. It is better to watch elephants in their natural habitat in one of nature reserves and safari parks in Sri Lanka, than in nurseries and zoos.
On the way, you can meet lonely wandering elephants, leisurely strolling elephant families with cubs of different ages, you can often see huge herds near water bodies. The luckiest visitors can witness how mother elephant feed their babies or the courtship of the male for the “lady of the heart”.
Mammals and Predators
In Udawalawe National Park you will see water buffaloes and crocodiles, spotted Ceylon deer, grey-headed giant squirrels, macaques, mongooses, jackals. But leopards can be seen quiet rare in this safari park.
Birds
Udawalawe safari park is a perfect place for bird watching; you can see herons, storks, ibis, spotted pelicans. These birds usually gather near water. Large Indian peacocks like to walk among bushes (visitors are allowed to pick up their fallen feathers).
Crested serpent eagle, hawks, colorful kingfishers, black and yellow Malabar pied hornbills and many others can also be seen near reservoirs. Make sure to include this place in the list of Sri Lanka’s must-visit.
How to Get to Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park is located on the border of the provinces of Uva and Sabaragamuwa, 165 km from the capital – Colombo.
You can take bus number 98 that runs directly to nature reserve. Bus services between Sri Lanka cities and Udawalawe National Park is also well established. But tourists usually go there with group tour, there are different options you can choose from. The cost of the trip depends on the length of the journey.
Safari Tours and Entrance Fees
Ticket price to Udawalawe safari park is $ 25 (check actual exchange rate). To rent jeep for a group of 6 people will cost $25-45.
Safari tours usually take place early in the morning 05:30-06:30 and in the afternoon, around 14:30. It’s better to join morning safari tour, it is not so hot and chances to see more animals are higher.
All jeeps are open, so bring sunscreen with you. Before planning a trip, it is important to remember that Yala Park usually closes in September, for the whole month. At this time, Udawalawe becomes full of visitors. You can go to Udawalawe Park all year round, but the chances of seeing as many elephants as possible increase during the dry season when the animals gather near water.
