The Sri Lankan National Park that is World Famous for Elephants

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. Udawalawe is probably the only place in the world where you are guaranteed to see a wild elephant on every game drive. This Elephant Safari Udawalawe is ideal for watching elephant behaviour, sometimes at very close quarters!

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 fish, reptiles and amphibians, and an incredible total of 183 bird species recorded as inhabiting the Park, while many others pass through on their migratory routes, making Udawalawe a great place for a memorable bird safari as well.

Udawalawe is the third most visited Park in Sri Lanka, in the southern dry-zone of the country, 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 gate opens at 6:00am. The morning safari starts from camp at 5:30am and we exit the Park at 9:30am. The afternoon safari starts from camp at 2:30pm and we exit the Park at 6:00pm.

The climate in the Park is characterised 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.