As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read our disclaimer for more details.
One of the highlights of our amazing time in Sri Lanka was the opportunity to enjoy the epic Udawalawe safari in Udawalawe National Park.
Welcome to Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka's wildlife heartland. Imagine a landscape with lush grasslands stretching as far as the eye can see, dotted with herds of majestic wild elephants and surrounded by a backdrop of jagged mountains.
In this blog post, we will embark on a thrilling journey through this amazing reserve, exploring its diverse habitats, incredible wildlife, and unforgettable experiences.
Whether you plan your visit during the dry season from December to March for optimal wildlife viewing, or enjoy the park's lush beauty the rest of the year, Udawalawe always has something interesting to offer.
For optimal wildlife viewing, visit Udawalawe National Park during the dry season from December to March.
Udawalawe National Park Safari
We arrived at Udawalawe straight from Mirissa and had spent some time whale watching there, so the prospect of soon seeing Sri Lanka's majestic wild elephants in their natural habitat was exciting to us.
Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka is home to a variety of animals and birds. But the biggest attraction of this amazing safari is seeing the Sri Lankan elephants.
Sri Lanka has the world's highest density of wild Asian elephants, with more than 4,000 living in the wild. However, these numbers are declining and elephants are on the endangered species list.
Udawalawe National Park is said to be home to between 400 and 600 elephants (depending on which source you read). And considering the park's relatively small size, it's easy to see why Sri Lankan elephants are the main attraction for visitors.
Quick Link – Udawalawe Wild Safari Tours – Check Prices Here
Udawalawe Safari
The place we were staying was Adambari Safari Resort, which is a 20-minute drive from the entrance of the national park and has a large concentration of other accommodations. We were recommended this homestay by friends we met by chance in Mirissa.
The room we stayed in was clean and comfortable, and the balcony had a great view of the coconut palm trees. The hosts were very friendly and helpful and provided us with a delightfully delicious breakfast. All this at a very good price.
Our day started at 4:30 am. We met our driver in front of our homestay at 5:15am so we had time to take a quick shower and grab a coffee. We had promised to have breakfast on the way back, so we packed a few snacks to get us through.
The jeep traveled quickly to the entrance of the Udawalawe National Park home. So we ended up being about the 5th in line to get into the park, which wasn't even open yet. The driver lined up, paid our entrance fee (see details below), and after a short wait, it was time to enter the park.
I must admit that up to this point I hadn't paid too much attention to the safari jeeps piling up behind us. As the doors opened and all the jeeps started their engines, I realized there were a lot more jeeps in line than I thought. I immediately got images of dozens of jeeps jostling for a glimpse of the terrified wildlife and it turned into a disaster.
Of course there was no need to worry. As soon as we arrived at the park, just after sunrise, the driver made a few turns and the next thing we knew, we came across a large herd of female elephants, including two baby elephants. Our driver stopped the jeep, turned off the engine, and we sat there in awe as this majestic creature just walked away.
It was a breathtaking start to the safari.
Our driver later explained that the herd we saw was all female and that the female elephants roam together for protection while the male elephants are left alone. I didn't know this before, but it was nice to learn something useful before the coffee ran out.
We drove around the park for hours with our driver and were regularly able to spot different types of animals or birds. This meant we could stop and enjoy watching the animals in their natural habitat without having to rush.
The drive itself was comfortable, but we had all the seats to ourselves. Driving conditions were relatively smooth on larger dirt roads, and at times quite bumpy when we headed onto narrower off-road tracks.
However, we never felt unsafe and were lucky that our driver refused to jockey for position with other drivers who were harming the animals. He was always happy to move us to different spots where we could find different animals that we could observe from a suitable distance.
In addition to the many elephants, we saw other animals including sambar deer, buffalo, monkeys, wild boars, crocodiles, snakes, mongooses and a great variety of birds including peacocks and eagles.
There are also Sri Lankan jackals, sloth bears, and leopards in the park, although we didn't spot any on the day we visited. Our driver assured us that although he had seen leopards a few times in his 15 years of existence, it had been several years since the last sighting.
Disembarking from the jeep is not permitted except at one point on the shore of the lake. When we stopped, it was a great opportunity to twist our necks, relax, and stretch our legs. The full day safari was getting ready for lunch when we arrived.
After resting, we took the jeep again and observed some more wildlife before heading back to our homestay.
When we arrived back at the homestay, we paid the driver (and tipped him) and went inside to enjoy a wonderful breakfast, capping off a fantastic breakfast.
Shall we go on another Udawalawe Safari?
totally! We were very satisfied with the safari. Our driver could spot wildlife seemingly a mile away. Luckily we had a jeep for a comfortable drive. We saw lots of wildlife, including many close encounters with elephants, including quite a few baby elephants.
How much does Udawalawe Safari cost?
Safari ticket costs are divided into two categories:
For the latest prices as of 2023, please refer to the official link here.
Udawalawe National Park entrance fee – This fee, paid at the park entrance, is paid on a per-person sliding scale, so it goes down the more people in the vehicle.
For example, it was 4,400 rupees for one person, 7,000 rupees for two people, and 9,850 rupees for three people. Prices are discounted for children. Note: Updated pricing can be found at the link above.
Safari Jeep Fees – The price of hiring a jeep that seats 6-8 people and a driver starts from around 3,500 rupees (if rented at the park entrance) and goes up to 6,000 rupees if picked up and dropped off from your accommodation. We paid 5,000 rupees for a jeep with 6 seats and a driver.
Additional costs include hiring additional monitors. However, most drivers take on this responsibility and also have a tip they want to pay.
When to go on this amazing Sri Lanka safari?
Udawalawe National Park is open all year round and the high density of elephants makes it great for elephant watching at any time. However, I've read that during the dry season (October to April) animals head to the water's edge more often to drink, so you're more likely to see elephants in the water.
Is Udawalawe Safari better than Yala National Park Safari?
I have never been to Yala National Park so I cannot comment based on first-hand experience. However, most of the comparisons I read found that safaris in Yala National Park were more expensive, had a higher jeep-per-animal ratio, and were generally not as comfortable as Udawalawe. However, if this is your reason for going on safari, you are more likely to spot a leopard in Yala.
Hotels near Udawalawe National Park
There are many accommodation options near the national park where you can organize safaris and excursions.
I was recommended by friends to stay at the simple yet enjoyable Adambari Safari Resort. The rooms were neat and clean, it was very easy to plan our safari and future trips, and the breakfast provided by the family was excellent.
The Udawalawe Elephant Orphanage, also known as the House of Elephant Transportation, is a unique facility located within Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka. Established in 1995, it serves as a sanctuary for orphaned elephant calves, providing care and rehabilitation until they are old enough to be released back into the wild. Located near the Udawalawe reservoir, the orphanage provides ample space for the elephants to roam. The facility is supported by the Born Free Foundation and has helped raise dozens of elephants since its founding.