Visit Sri Lanka's largest wildlife park, Udawalawe National Park, and embark on a safari through its majestic natural beauty.
Explore the wild and majestic beauty of Sri Lanka’s largest wildlife park, Udawalawe National Park. Take a safari through the lush jungles of this stunning natural environment and observe a variety of animals in their natural habitat. Learn more about what Udawalawe has to offer.
Highlights of Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park is a beautiful destination for wildlife lovers and adventurers alike. Home to elephants, sloth bears, wild boar, leopards, and more, the park offers you thrilling wildlife sightings along with breathtaking views of the surrounding greenery. Enjoy watching herds of elephants roam around freely in their natural environment before embarking on a safari jeep ride and experiencing even more of this magical park.
One of the highlights of Udawalawe National Park is the elephants. It’s no surprise that this park is popular with animal enthusiasts; it is home to over 500 wild elephants who you are likely to encounter on your visit. A trip around the park is a special experience as you get up close and personal with these gentle giants, which can be done safely from the back of a jeep or on foot. You can also make use of bird hides, allowing for excellent photo opportunities. Other animals such as sloth bears, wild boar and water buffalo can be seen during your trip, along with a vast array of birdlife. It’s easy to while away an entire day in this stunning part of Sri Lanka.
How to get to Udawalawe National Park
Located in Sri Lanka’s Uva Province, visitors can reach Udawalawe National Park by car or bus. We recommend one of our private drivers and experienced nature guides to take you on this journey as their expertise is likely to come in handy. However, a scenic bus ride from Colombo to Embilipitiya or Ratnapura will take you to the park entrance, where you can rent a jeep for the safari trip.
Even if you’re without your own transportation, don’t worry as there are several organized tours that depart from cities like Colombo, Kalutara, and Embilipitiya. Most trips include transportation to the entrance of Udawalawe National Park where you will hop on your jeep for a 4-6 hour safari trip. In any case, it is highly recommended to take a local guide that knows the area in order to spot animals more easily and make sure your tour runs smoothly and according to plan.
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The wildlife of Udawalawe National Park
The Udawalawe National Park is known for its rich wildlife, with over 500 wild elephants that can be spotted on a safari throughout the park. It is also home to herds of buffalo, deer, wild boar, monkeys, birds and many species of reptiles. There are also around 100 species of birds that inhabit the park including vultures and eagles. The safaris are best done in the early morning as most of the animals come out during this period and tend to hide away in the day.
Aside from the wildlife, visitors can also enjoy the scenery and landscapes of the Udawalawe National Park. Featuring beautiful grassland flora, ancient mountains and large bodies of water, these water sources provide a great refuge for many species in the park. The Udawalawe reservoir is a major tourist attraction with its calm and serene atmosphere that makes it ideal for bird watching and photography. With every season offering unique experiences, this national park is definitely an amazing place to explore and discover nature’s wonders.
Best time to visit Udawalawe National Park
The best time to visit Udawalawe National Park is between the months of October and April, when the animals are most likely to be out in the wild due to the cooler temperatures. This also makes it a great safari destination during the monsoon season as during these months, there are fewer visitors than in peak season, which allows you to enjoy the park in peace and quiet. It’s ideal for bird watching or capturing wildlife photography.
The Savannah-like environment of Udawalawe National Park is also a great place for relaxing and taking in the scenery. The reservoir within the park attracts many different species of birds, including pelicans and greater flamingos. It is also a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts. In the evenings, you can watch herds of elephants bathe in the river or catch a glimpse of wild boar roaming around. A visit here can be very rewarding as it offers an opportunity to witness animals in their natural habitat and appreciate the beauty of Sri Lanka’s diverse wildlife.
Is Udawalawe better than Yala National Park?
When planning a wildlife safari in Sri Lanka, travelers are often stuck with the dilemma of choosing between Udawalawe National Park and Yala National Park. Both parks offer wonderful opportunities for spotting wild animals, but with different features. Udawalawe is well-known for its herds of elephants, as well as water buffalos, sambar deer, crocodiles and a diversity of bird species. It’s also an ideal place to observe Asian elephants in their natural habitat.
On the other hand, Yala offers high concentrations of leopards and a variety of wild creatures such as elephants and sloth bears. Aside from this incredible range of wildlife, Yala also provides stunning landscapes from lagoons to sandy beaches. When it comes to selecting between Udawalawe National Park or Yala National Park, it really depends on your personal preferences. For those wanting to watch leopards then Yala would be better suited whereas Udawalawe should be considered by those fascinated by elephants or other wildlife. Either way, both parks provide distinct experiences sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.
