Home › Udawalawe safari
Udawalawe National Park is known for its elephants. Herds are seen there on almost every visit. I collect you from your hotel, arrange the safari jeep with an experienced operator, wait while you are in the park, and drive you back when you are done.
Available 24 hours · +94 77 197 3898
How far it is
The park is north of Embilipitiya, between the south coast and the hill country. These are typical times by road to the park gate.
| Where you are staying | To the park gate |
|---|---|
| Tangalle | About 1.5 hours |
| Hambantota, Tissamaharama | About 1.5 hours |
| Dickwella, Hiriketiya | About 2 hours |
| Mirissa, Weligama | About 2.5 hours |
| Galle, Unawatuna | About 3 hours |
| Ella | About 2.5 hours |
Going between the beach and Ella? Udawalawe is on the way. We can stop for a safari and then continue, with your luggage staying in the vehicle.
How the day works
For a morning safari I collect you early, so you are at the gate when the park opens at six. For an afternoon safari we leave around midday.
Private cars are not allowed inside the park, so you change into a safari jeep with its own driver at the entrance. I can book the jeep for you with an insured, experienced operator.
A safari takes about three to four hours in the park. I am waiting when you come out, and I drive you back to your hotel, or on to Ella if you are moving on.
What you can see
Udawalawe is mostly open grassland around a large reservoir, so animals are easy to see. Elephants are the main reason people come. You can also see water buffalo, crocodiles, deer, peacocks, eagles and many other birds. Leopards live here too, but they are seen much less often than in Yala.
Nothing is guaranteed in a wild park, but elephants are seen on almost every safari.
The Elephant Transit Home is close to the park. It cares for young elephants that have lost their mothers, and visitors can watch them being fed at set times during the day. It has its own ticket. Tell me if you would like to stop there.
From a guest
“Trustworthy, professional and always on time. Highly recommend.”
J. H. · Google review5.0 from 10 reviews. Read them all on Google.
Get a price
Fill in what you know and tap the button. WhatsApp opens with your message ready to send, and I reply with a price for the whole vehicle and help with the jeep.
Questions
If elephants matter most to you, choose Udawalawe. If you hope to see a leopard, choose Yala. Udawalawe is usually less busy, and from Tangalle both take about the same time to reach.
Morning is cooler and the animals are more active. The afternoon also works well at Udawalawe, and it means you do not need a very early start.
No. My price covers the drive to the park and back, with fuel, parking and waiting time. The jeep and the park entrance tickets are paid separately. I can arrange the jeep for you and explain the costs before you decide.
No, my price is for the whole vehicle. A family of four in the car pays the same as a couple.
A hat, sunscreen, water, and binoculars if you have them. There is not much shade in the park, so the hat is important.
Also on the south coast