The Ultimate Udawalawe Travel Guide: Wildlife, Attractions & Tips

 

The Ultimate Udawalawe Travel Guide: Wildlife, Attractions & Tips

If you want an up-close encounters with wild elephants in Sri Lanka, Udawalawe National Park is unmatched. Spanning the boundary between the Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces—roughly 160 km from Colombo—this stunning sanctuary is a top destination for both local travelers and international tourists. 

Home to hundreds of Sri Lankan elephants, Udawalawe practically guarantees sightings of large herds on almost every safari drive. Beyond the elephants, the park thrives with diverse wildlife, including spotted deer, jackals, mugger crocodiles, elusive leopards, wild boars, and a rich variety of bird species. 

Established in 1972 around the Walawe Reservoir to protect the local ecosystem, Udawalawe remains one of the premier conservation reserves in the country. 

What Makes Udawalawe Unique?

Guaranteed Elephant Sightings: With a thriving population of 500 to 600 elephants, you are almost certain to witness mother elephants roaming alongside their baby calves. 

Open Savanna Landscape: The terrain features open grasslands reminiscent of African savannas. Because the landscape is less dense than other parks, spotting wildlife in their natural habitat is significantly easier. 

How to Get There

Depending on your starting point, there are two primary routes from Colombo: 

Via the Southern Expressway (Faster Route):

Take the Southern Expressway and exit at the Barawakumbura Interchange. 

Drive through Agunukolapelessa to reach the Nonagama–Ratnapura road. 

Pass through Embilipitiya town to reach Udawalawe. 

Total distance: Approx. 233 km. 

Via the Regular Highway (Scenic Route):

Head out from Colombo towards High-Level Road passing Ratnapura and Pelmadulla. 

Turn left at the Pelmadulla junction toward Pallebedda to reach Udawalawe. 

Travel time: Approx. 4 hours. 

Best Time to Visit & Safari Hours

While Udawalawe is a fantastic year-round destination, visiting during the dry season from May to September offers an exceptional advantage. As inland water holes dry up, animals gather in large numbers around the main Udawalawe Reservoir. 

Morning Safari: 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM 

Evening Safari: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM 

Pro Tip: The late afternoon slot (after 3:00 PM) typically offers the highest concentration of elephant sightings as they come out to bathe and drink. 

Top Attractions in and Around Udawalawe

1. Elephant Transit Home (ETH)

Established in 1995 by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Elephant Transit Home rehabilitates orphaned or injured elephant calves with the ultimate goal of releasing them back into the wild. 

Feeding Times: Visitors can watch the adorable calves being milk-fed during specific public viewing hours (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM). 

Conservation Focus: Once the young elephants reach around 5 years of age, they are fitted with radio collars to monitor their integration back into the wild reserve safely. 

2. Udawalawe Reservoir & Dam

Formed by damming the Walawe River to irrigate surrounding farmland, this expansive body of water offers breathtaking evening views. 

Birdwatching Haven: Between November and April, migratory birds flock here from around the globe. It’s also home to endemic Sri Lankan species such as the Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Grey Hornbill, Layard’s Parakeet, and various kingfishers. 

3. Sankhapala Raja Maha Viharaya

Located about 30 minutes from Udawalawe on the Embilipitiya–Ratnapura main road, this historical cave temple offers a touch of culture. Folklore connects the temple to Pussadeva, one of King Dutugemunu’s famous ten giant warriors, who is said to have built the temple and concealed his victorious conch shell here.

4. Maduwanwela / Madunagala Hot Springs

Located en route toward Niyandagala, these natural thermal springs are a great quick stop to experience warm geothermic groundwater. 

Accommodation Options in Udawalawe

Whether you're looking for luxury or eco-friendly lodges, Udawalawe offers several great places to stay: 

Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort (The premier 5-star resort in the region) 

Nildiya Mankada Safari Lodge

Serene Retreat Udawalawe

Waraka Udawalawe - The Countryside