Private Udawalawe National Park Elephant Jeep Safari

Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park lies on the border of Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces in southern Sri Lanka. Created in 1972 to protect the catchment of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, it covers about 308 square kilometres of grassland, scrub and dry forest, with the blue line of the central hills on the horizon.

Its open landscape makes animals easy to see, which is why an Udawalawe safari is so rewarding even for first-timers. The park opens from early morning to late afternoon, and the gate where jeeps enter is close to Udawalawe town. The park entrance fee is not included in the safari and is paid at the gate, where your guide helps you with the tickets.

The wild elephants of Udawalawe

Udawalawe is famous for one of the largest and most visible populations of wild Asian elephants in Sri Lanka. Family herds led by older females wander the grasslands all year, feeding on tall grass, dusting themselves with red earth and gathering at the water's edge to drink and bathe, often with tiny calves at their side.

On a private Udawalawe elephant safari your driver-guide positions the jeep quietly and at a respectful distance, so you can watch behaviour rather than just tick a sighting. Is Udawalawe better than Yala for elephants? Many guides say yes: Yala is known for leopards, while Udawalawe offers the most reliable elephant encounters on the island.

The Udawalawe Reservoir and its shores

The large reservoir at the heart of the park is a magnet for wildlife. Its shallow edges and the dead trees standing in the water are favourite perches for cormorants, painted storks, herons and kingfishers, while mugger crocodiles bask on the mud and water buffalo cool off in the shallows.

On the longer 7-hour and 10-hour safaris you have time to explore more of these shorelines and the quieter tracks beyond them, with breaks to watch the light change across the water. The reservoir itself was built in the 1960s to irrigate farmland in the south. The long options are priced per group and suit photographers and keen birdwatchers who want to stay in the park through the best hours.

Other wildlife and birds

Besides elephants, Udawalawe shelters spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, golden jackals, mongooses, monitor lizards and grey langur monkeys. Leopards live in the park but are rarely seen. The birdlife is outstanding, with peacocks displaying on the tracks, crested serpent eagles, bee-eaters and endemic species such as the Sri Lankan junglefowl and spurfowl.

The best time for wildlife is the first hours after sunrise and the late afternoon, when animals are most active and the light is soft for photos. Udawalawe can be visited all year, and the dry months often bring animals closer to the water. Your driver-guide knows the calls and habits of these species and points out birds and smaller animals that are easy to miss.