Explore Udawalawe’s wildlife on guided jeep tours through nature.
Witness majestic elephants up close at the Udawalawe Elephant Orphanage.
Stay overnight in serene nature and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Relax in cozy, peaceful places surrounded by nature’s calming beauty.
Welcome to Udawalawe National Park, a sanctuary where nature thrives in its purest form. Udawalawe park is considered to be one of the most outstanding wildlife spots in the island, in the edge of the wet and dry areas of Sri Lanka, it is a place where the elephants graze freely, birds fly, and the beats of the wild are felt more than any other place.
This national park occupies an area of 308.2 square kilometres and is glorified by the incredible biodiversity and beautiful open landscapes. Udawalawa is an experience of a lifetime that all wildlife and nature photographers, as well as a plain nature lover will never forget, it is an experience that embodies the whole essence of the natural beauty of Sri Lanka.
Recognized for excellence year after year, Udawalawe National Park has been honored with the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award from 2020 through 2025 — celebrating the unforgettable wildlife experiences and natural beauty that inspire visitors from around the world.
Elephant population in the park is, by far, the most attractive attraction at the park. Udawalawe park offers one of the best chances to see these gentle giants in the wild in Asia with over 500 of these animals residing in the park. The open grasslands and the dispersed woodlands make it the only park where visitors are able to see herds at a very close- by grazing, bathing and socializing in their natural surrounding.
Every time one comes to a place it feels like a new story is being told – the herds of mothers, taking their calves through the plains, lone bulls wandering in the golden sun, and the groups of animals approaching the Udawalawe Reservoir as it gets dark. This is what makes the park be what it is, and it is one of the most desired wildlife parks in Sri Lanka.
Udawalawe National Park has a remarkable diversity of wildlife other than elephants. The park boasts of water buffalo, sambar deer, mongoose, jackals and crocodiles among others. It is also a haven of birdwatchers and has over 200 types of birds including the Sri Lankan junglefowl, crested hawk eagle, painted stork, and colourful bee-eaters.
The wetlands that surround the reservoir are active with flocks of waterbirds during the migratory season hence giving a spectacular scene to the photographers as well as those who like nature. All the sounds, colors, and actions narrate about the perfectly balanced ecosystem, which is insured and conserved to be implemented in the generations to come.
Travelers from around the world have shared their unforgettable moments at Udawalawe National Park on Google Reviews. From the sight of wild elephants to the serenity of the landscapes, their stories capture the park’s true beauty.
EXCELLENT Based on 6907 reviews Posted on John WayneTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Just insane! Highly recommend the place!Posted on EvaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Safari en après-midi (14h-18h), organisé par notre super hôtel (wild safari nest). Nous avons pu voir une multitudes d'oiseaux (guêpiers nains, aigles, kingfisher, calao, ..., deux sortes de singes, une mangouste, un crocodile, un bébé crocodile, des buffles, des certs et de très nombreux éléphants (dont un bébé qui devait avoir 2-3 semaines selon notre guide). Il a plu la moitié du temps, mais nous avons malgré tout pu observer une tres belle faune. Excepté à un moment où il y avait une dizaine de jeep, nous étions seuls le reste du temps (ou max 2 jeep au même spot). Les enfants ont adoré !Posted on Subhasha Summer HouseTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our visit to Udawalawe National Park today was truly an unforgettable experience. The vast natural landscapes and the abundance of wildlife made the safari exceptionally rewarding. We were fortunate to see large herds of elephants, as well as deer, buffalo, crocodiles, and a wide variety of bird species in their natural habitat. The safari jeep service was very professional, and the driver/guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and respectful of the park and its wildlife. The tour was well-organized, safe, and well-timed, which greatly enhanced the overall experience. Udawalawe National Park is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves nature and wildlife. It is one of the best places in Sri Lanka for an authentic safari experience, and I highly recommend it to all visitors.Posted on Chiara Gayk (deartraveldiary by C)Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Viel mehr als die Safari gibt es in Udawalawe National Park ehrlich gesagt nicht – doch genau deshalb fährst du ja auch hin: für die Tiere. Der Parkeintritt lag bei etwa 30 EUR pro Person, die Safari selbst kostete je nach Tourart unterschiedlich. Ich meine, wir haben ungefähr 40 EUR p.P. für die halbtägige private Jeep-Tour gezahlt. Die Tour haben wir einfach über unsere Unterkunft gebucht. Wir entschieden uns für eine halbtägige Tour am frühen Morgen. Zum Sonnenaufgang ging es los, gegen frühen Mittag waren wir wieder zurück in der Unterkunft. Insgesamt waren wir rund sechs Stunden unterwegs. Unsere Unterkunft hatte uns Frühstück eingepackt, das wir bei einem kurzen Stopp im Park gegessen haben. Pünktlich zum Mittagessen waren wir zurück und konnten danach noch entspannt am Pool liegen. Perfekte Mischung aus Safari und Entspannung eigentlich. Was die Tiere angeht: Natürlich sind die Elefanten das absolute Highlight. Andere Tiere siehst du aber auch – wir haben mehrere Pfauen, viele weitere Vogelarten, Wasserbüffel und eine Art sri-lankische Hirsche gesehen. Aber seien wir ehrlich: Die Tour haben wir wegen der Elefanten gemacht. Und hier hatten wir wirklich unglaubliches Glück. Unser Guide meinte, oft sehe man nur ein oder zwei Elefanten während einer Tour. Wir hingegen haben locker 50 gesehen – ganze Herden. Und nicht nur einzelne Tiere, sondern große Gruppen mit Jungtieren und Babys. Ein Moment bleibt besonders hängen: Zwei kleine Elefanten standen plötzlich direkt an unserem Jeep, die Mutter war nirgendwo zu sehen Sie liefen neugierig um das Auto herum, umschlossen es mit ihrem Rüssel und waren ganz nah. Das war unfassbar aufregend. Wichtig zu wissen: Wenn die Mutter in der Nähe ist, solltest du bei Jungtieren lieber vorsichtig seien und sie nicht anfassen. Die Mutter verteidigt möglicherweise ihr Junges und das endet im Zweifel nicht gut für Menschen oder Jeep. Zur Dauer der Safari: Ganz ehrlich, sechs Stunden waren für uns ein kleines bisschen lang, weil sich die Sichtungen zwischendurch ziehen. Die kürzere Tour (3 Stunden) wäre aber möglicherweise zu kurz gewesen, gerade weil wir die großen Herden eher tiefer im Park gesehen haben. Vielleicht wären etwas dazwischen ideal gewesen. Unterm Strich hat sich die Safari dennoch absolut gelohnt. Allein für diesen Moment mit den Herden war der Abstecher nach Udawalawe jede Minute wert.Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Even though Udawalawa is less commercial than other parks like Yala national park, it offers one of the most authentic wildlife experiences in the country. The flat terrain and open spaces of the park also make the park the right place to view the animals in their natural behavior, with no barriers and distractions.
Visitors can enter through the main gate located about 12 kilometers from Udawalawe city. Park is open between 6: 00 am to 6:00 pm and the cool mornings are ideal to watch wildlife. An average tour across the park is 3-8 hours and gets through different ecosystems such as grasslands, wetlands and forested regions.
Udawalawe is a paradise of photography lovers – morning light, the earth and the magnificent animals produce images that are forever imprinted in the memory after the visit.
If you have questions, suggestions, or need more information about Udawalawe National Park, feel free to reach out to us. We’re happy to provide accurate and helpful details to improve your travel experience.
CVQQ+9FH, 7th Mile Post, Udawalawe
contact@udawalawanationalpark.com
+0 (555) 123 45 67