Wildlife
Udawalawe
The park of the great herds
Overview
AboutUdawalawe
Udawalawe is Sri Lanka's finest destination for wild elephants — open savanna and reservoir landscapes where herds of thirty or more move freely against the backdrop of the southern hills.
More visually open than Yala, Udawalawe is built around the Udawalawe Reservoir. Its plains support several hundred elephants year-round, along with buffalo, spotted deer, jackals, crocodiles and remarkable birdlife. The nearby Elephant Transit Home is one of the most ethically run rehabilitation programmes in Asia.
Established in 1972 to protect the catchment area of the Udawalawe Reservoir and provide sanctuary for elephants displaced by dam construction, the park is today a model of conservation success.
Why visit
Why travellers come to Udawalawe
- Sri Lanka's most reliable destination for wild elephant herds
- Open savanna landscapes rare elsewhere in the country
- The Elephant Transit Home is an ethical model for rehabilitation
- Easily paired with Yala for a two-park wildlife circuit
Top Attractions
What to see
- Wild elephant herds throughout the day
- Udawalawe Reservoir birdlife
- Elephant Transit Home feedings
- Open savanna landscapes
Things to do
Ways to experience Udawalawe
- Take a private morning or afternoon safari
- Visit the Elephant Transit Home at feeding time
- Pair Udawalawe with Yala for a two-park wildlife circuit
Best time to visit
Year-round for elephants. May–September is drier and easier for game viewing.
Nearby
Yala • Ella • Mirissa
Photography
Elephant families crossing open grassland • Malabar pied hornbills • Sunset over the reservoir
Local food & flavours
The villages around Udawalawe serve simple, satisfying rice and curry built on reservoir fish, dried sprats and seasonal vegetables from the surrounding paddy. Roadside stalls sell fresh king coconuts and deep-fried snacks such as vadai, a welcome break between safari drives.
Travel tips
- Half-day safaris here are highly productive — a full day is not required.
- Combine easily with the south coast or with a Sinharaja rainforest add-on.
Suggested Journeys
Private toursfeaturing Udawalawe
Questions
About visiting Udawalawe
Udawalawe or Yala?
Udawalawe is unbeatable for elephants and offers open, photogenic terrain. Yala offers more variety and the best chance of leopards. Many travelers do both.
Ready when you are
Include Udawalawe in your journey
Our team will design a private itinerary shaped around your travel style, dates and party.
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