Wildlife, Hills & Coast Explorer
Eleven days built around three safaris, the Kandy hills and Ella, with a Galle Fort and south-coast drive and two relaxed nights on Bentota beach to finish.
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Udawalawe, Sri Lanka
An open grassland national park built around the Udawalawe Reservoir, known for consistently easy elephant sightings — herds numbering in the dozens are common, thanks to the park's open terrain. It's also home to the Elephant Transit Home, which rehabilitates orphaned elephant calves before release back into the wild.
What to expect
- Large, easy-to-spot elephant herds, thanks to the park’s open grassland
- The Elephant Transit Home, with viewing platforms at calf feeding times
- A flatter, more open landscape than Yala — generally easier wildlife viewing, if fewer leopards
Tours that include Udawalawe
Every tour is private and can be adjusted to spend more or less time here.
14 Days Sri Lanka Tour: Anuradhapura, Kandy, Ella & Bentota
Sacred Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa by bicycle, Kandy, the hill train to Ella and an elephant safari at Udawalawe, then four nights at Bentota.
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A safari drive ofabout 3 hours
Udawalawe safari: the easiest place to see elephants
A Udawalawe safari is one of the most reliable ways to see wild elephants in Sri Lanka. The national park has open grassland around a large reservoir, so herds are easy to spot and photograph from the jeep. You may also see water buffalo, crocodiles, deer and a good number of birds, including raptors. A morning or an afternoon drive of about three hours is usually enough, and the cooler hours give the best light.
Open grassland
Herds are easy to spot and photograph from the jeep.
Elephant Transit Home
It cares for orphaned calves before they return to the wild.
Between hills and coast
A natural stop on the way from Ella to Yala, Galle or Mirissa.
Udawalawe on the route between hills and coast
The park sits between the hill country and the south coast, so it is a natural stop on the way from Ella to Yala, Galle or Mirissa. Close to the entrance, the Elephant Transit Home cares for orphaned calves before they return to the wild, and the feeding times draw visitors. Bring a hat, sunscreen and a camera with a zoom lens. If you can only fit one safari into your trip, ask us whether Udawalawe or Yala suits you better.
Because the park is flat and open, even a short visit often shows several herds. Children enjoy it, and the jeeps have open sides and a roof, so it is comfortable for older travellers as well.
Nearby and easy to combine
Planning a visit to Udawalawe?
Tell us your dates and interests and we'll build a private itinerary around it.