If it is Sri Lankan elephants you are after, then there is no better alternative to the Udawalawe National Park. An elephant sighting is guaranteed.

Sri Lankan Elephants at every turn while of Safari at the Udawalawe National Park

The Udawalawe National Park is the only place in the world where an elephant sighting is guaranteed on every game drive. It is an excellent place to observe elephant behaviour and to get up close and personal with these amazing animals in herds of about 50 to 100 elephants being sighted regularly. There are also 183 species of birds and 45 species of mammals recorded at Udawalawe. Another fantastic feature of the Udawalawe National Park is the Elephant Transit Home - a project that has proven vital to the conservation of these magnificent creatures.  At the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, abandoned, injured or orphaned elephants are taken in, treated and then released back into the wild. It is possible to observe these elephants within the premises of the Transit Home, but from a safe enough distance in order to reduce human contact.

The Wildlife at Udawalawe- Read More Elephants at the Udawalawe National Park - Read More Big game and mammals encountered at the Udawalawe National Park - Read More Birds at the Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka - Read More Reptiles and Fish found at the Udawalawe National Park - Read More Flora at the Udawalawe National Park - Read More Udawalawe National Park- History and Geography - Read More Choosing the right accommodation for your Udawalawe National Park Safari - Read More Getting the most out of your Udawalawe National Park wildlife safari - Read More Climate at the Udawalawe National Park - Read More Best times to visit Udawalawe - Read More How to get to the Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka - Read More

The Wildlife at Udawalawe

The varied habitats in Udawalawe make it home to a diverse spectrum of animals. The main attraction at Udawalawe however are the elephants, with a herd of 600 to 700 elephants believed to be residents of the Park. The Udawalawe National Park is home to many more species of Sri Lankan wildlife which include the endemic Toque Macaque and the Sri Lankan leopard (seen very rarely). The Sri Lankan Sloth Bear has been recorded as well, but it is seldom seen. There are numerous species of birds, some of which are endemic along with fish, reptiles and amphibians. Udawalawe is the third most visited Park in Sri Lanka.

Elephants at the Udawalawe National Park

Famed for its resident population of Sri Lankan elephants (a recognized subspecies of its Asian counterpart), it is not unusual to see herds gather to feed and bathe at the waterholes while on even the shortest of safaris in the Udawalawe National Park. With approximately 600 to 700 Sri Lankan elephants residing within the confines of this wildlife park, it is an amazing and unforgettable experience to witness these elephants, both adults and young in their natural habitat. The August 2011 census of elephants in Sri Lanka stated that there are approximately 5,800 of these culturally important animals living on the island. The Sri Lankan Elephant is a threatened species.

Big game and mammals encountered at the Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe is home to Sri Lankan wildlife such as the Rusty-spotted Cat, Fishing Cat and the Sri Lankan Leopard. Other species include the Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Sri Lankan Axis Deer, Indian Muntjac, Sri Lankan Spotted Chevrotain, Wild Boar and Water Buffalo.  Presence of the Golden Jackal, Asian Palm Civet, Toque Macaque, Tufted Grey Langur and the Indian Hare has also been recorded. Large numbers of Golden Palm Civets are present here along with five species of mice, Indian Bush Rat and three species of Mongoose.

Birds at the Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka

An incredible total of 183 bird species have been recorded as inhabiting the Park and many others pass through on their migratory routes, making Udawalawe a great place for a memorable bird safari. The avifauna includes large numbers of Warblers, together with the usual low country birds in forested areas, and a variety of raptors. Water birds observed on the reservoir include rare visitors such as the Indian Cormorant and Osprey.  Notable endemic species are the Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Malabar pied hornbill and the Brown-capped Babbler.

Reptiles and Fish found at the Udawalawe National Park

This National Park is also home to Oriental Garden Lizards, Painted-lip Lizards, Mugger Crocodiles, Water Monitors, Bengal Monitors and 30 species of snake.  Oreochromis spp, Giant gourami, Catla and Rohu are important species of fish found in the reservoir.

Flora at the Udawalawe National Park

Originally densely forested, savanna grasslands and thorn-scrub now predominate the Park. Much of the forest was destroyed by chena - slash and burn - cultivation. Scattered trees, constituting 20-50 percent of existing cover, are mainly Satin, Ehala and Lunumidella. In the riverine forest, Kumbuk and the endemic Mandorang trees are dominant.

Udawalawe National Park - History and Geography

This National Park is in the southern dry-zone of Sri Lanka and spans approximately 31,000 hectares, providing for ample elephant safari opportunities as well as observing the Park’s other Sri Lankan wildlife. The Park straddles two Provinces in the South of Sri Lanka and includes the Udawalawe Reservoir. The Udawalawe National Park is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and is second in popularity only to the Yala National Park. The dry land area of the Udawalawe National Park is about 119 square miles excluding the reservoir, which is approximately 29,000 hectares.  The Udawalawe Reservoir is situated within the boundaries of the Park, and draws its water from the Horton Plains Reserve, the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and the Haputale area. The Reservoir has become an important area for breeding aquatic birds. The deep waters of the Walawe Reservoir are surrounded by picturesque open plains and foothills. The most prominent features are the Kalthota Escarpment and the spectacular Diyawinne Falls to the north. Ulgala, in the west is the most prominent peak and rises up to a height of nearly 380 metres, from the lowest point of the area which is at 100 metres above sea level.

Choosing the right accommodation for your Udawalawe National Park Safari

With so much ground to cover in just a few days, finding the right accommodation is a must for every memorable Udawalawe safari. Mahoora tented safari camps provide the ideal means for you to cut down on travel time by not having to travel in and out of the Park. For more information on our tented safari camping packages check out our accommodation page. However if you prefer hotel style accommodation we can provide that too.

Getting the most out of your Udawalawe National Park wildlife safari

One of the most important aspects of an Udawalawe National Park wildlife safari is having the right kind of guide. A 4WD open-top safari jeep is the best way to see all the wonders of nature that this protected Reserve has to offer. With an experienced and knowledgeable Mahoora Naturalist Guide on hand every step of the way, guests will experience senses and sights previously unknown.

Climate at the Udawalawe National Park

The climate in the Park is characterized by seasonal rainfall and uniformly high temperature conditions. The average annual rainfall is about 1,500 mm in the south end, and it gradually increases towards the north. The annual average temperature is 32°C with no serious fluctuations being recorded. Two rainfall peaks occur in a year, one between April and May and the other between October and November. A short dry spell is experienced between February and March, and a prolonged dry period is observed from mid-May until the end of September.

Best times to visit Udawalawe

Elephantsat Udawalawe can be seen all year round but migrant birds can only be seen from November to March. The best time to visit is during the dry season when elephants come out in large numbers to the waterholes.

How to get to the Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka

The Udawalawe National Park is situated approximately 160 km to the South East of Colombo and is about 31,000 hectares in extent. This Park lies within the Ratnapura and Moneragala Districts and can be reached from Colombo via Ratnapura, Pelmadulla and Colombage-ara junction along the Pelmadulla-Embilipitiya road. The total travel time is around three to four hours. Alternatively, the Park can be reached by air as well.  By chartering a helicopter either from the Bandaranaike Airport or from Ratmalana, you can land at the Udawalawe Police Grounds. From there you can reach the Park by road. The Air Taxi service is not available. For more information on air travel please visit

http://www.srilanka.travelhttp:- Uda Walawe National Park