Sri Lanka has more than 15 national parks where you can spot wild elephants, and Udawalawe National Park is one of them. It is our favourite place and you will undoubtedly encounter several elephants during a safari there. Not surprisingly, the park is popular, even though it is less well known than the famous Yala National Park. Udawalawe's landscape may look a bit monotonous, but this is precisely why you have the greatest chance of admiring elephants up close. During a safari, you will see countless elephants, curious monkeys and many other animals. In this blog, we tell you everything you need to know for a safari in Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka!
General information about Sri Lanka
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Why Udawalawe National Park is a must-see
Udawalawe is Sri Lanka's premier elephant park and definitely worth a stop on your tour. Hundreds of elephants live here in the wild and the chances of seeing several during your safari are almost guaranteed. The landscape of Udawalawe is somewhat flatter and less varied than, for example, Yala or Wilpattu National Park, but that actually makes it easier to spot animals.
A safari in Udawalawe National Park is all about the elephants, of course, but you will see many more animals. Think water buffalo, deer, crocodiles, monkeys and an impressive variety of bird species. With a bit of luck, even a leopard will show up, although the chances are very small. What you are guaranteed to see are special moments such as elephants unexpectedly crossing the road right in front of your jeep, or quietly grazing among the bushes. We saw at least 15 elephants, including several babies.
Unlike the busier Yala National Park, Udawalawe feels much quieter. Here, you don't drive in a long procession of jeeps one after the other, but often have parts of the park all to yourself. This is exactly what gives you the real safari experience: untouched nature, silence and the magic of wild animals in their own habitat.
Tip: Not sure if Udawalawe National Park fits into your Sri Lanka itinerary? Check our complete itinerary for inspiration. Would you rather hand everything over? Then a fully organised tour of Sri Lanka via AsiaDirect a good option.
Cost of a safari in Udawalawe National Park
Finding out the prices of a safari through Udawalawe National Park can be tricky. In fact, everywhere else offers this safari tour with slightly different prices, although the prices are close together. Besides, the total cost of a safari in Udawalawe consists of two components: the jeep with guide and the entrance to the national park. The jeep price is usually charged per vehicle, not per person. If you travel with several people or share the jeep with other travellers, a safari quickly becomes a lot cheaper. To give you a bit of an idea, we share an overview below:
- Jeep + guide: A half-day safari usually costs between LKR 4,500 and 5,500 (€12.80 - €15.60, depending on the exchange rate) per jeep. If you share the jeep with others, the cost per person will therefore be lower.
- Entrance fee: For your ticket, you will pay converted 7500 LRK (about 25 USD per person or €21.60 depending on the exchange rate)
In total, roughly count on a few tens of euros per person for a half-day safari, depending on how many people are in your jeep and which provider you choose.
Tip: Always bring some extra cash for a tip. Guides greatly appreciate this, especially if they help you spot the most beautiful animals.
As prices can change, it is smart to always check the official website of Udawalawe National Park check. This way, you can be sure you have the most up-to-date parking rates and avoid surprises.
Tip: Besides single tickets, you can also book complete packages. During our first tour of Sri Lanka, for example, we opted for a safari through our hostel in Ella. We paid around €45 per person at the time, which included the transfer and we took a taxi directly to our hotel in Mirissa were brought. So be sure to ask about the options with your accommodation!
Booking safari in Udawalawe: here's how to arrange it
Now that you have an idea of prices, it is useful to know where to arrange a safari. Often you can book this very easily through your accommodation. You will then be picked up early in the morning or later in the afternoon and brought back afterwards, which is incredibly practical. That's how we did it ourselves. Would you rather plan ahead or have a tight schedule? Then you can also easily book your Udawalawe jeep safari online, booking the jeep and guide in advance.
Note: book online? Then the entrance fee is often not included. You have to pay this one on arrival at the park.
In addition, there are numerous organised day trips to Udawalawe National Park. Ideal if you are not planning an overnight stay nearby, but still want to experience a safari. Among other things, you can opt for a day trip from Colombo, a day trip from Ella or a day trip from Tangalle. These trips usually include all transport, leaving you with nothing to worry about.
→ Easily book your safari in Udawalawe National Park here
Another option is to go straight to the park entrance and hire a jeep with driver and guide. This is certainly possible, but less often done.
What time of day is best for a safari in Udawalawe?
A safari can be done either in the early morning (from around 05:30) or in the late afternoon (from 14:30). Our tip: go in the morning! That's when the elephants are most active, still cool and quietly eating their breakfast. In the afternoon, you often see the animals taking shelter in the shade, making them less visible. Moreover, the afternoon is often busier with tourists who don't want to get up so early or still had to travel a bit.
Best travel time for Udawalawe National Park
You can visit Udawalawe National Park all year round, and the chances of spotting elephants or other animals are always high. However, there is one period that is just a little more favourable: between June and October. This is the dry season, so animals often gather at waterholes. The result? More chances of seeing large groups of elephants, buffalo and other wildlife.
Instead, if you go during the rainy season, the nature is extra green and beautiful, but the animals are scattered and therefore a bit harder to spot. The advantage of Udawalawe over, say, Yala National Park is that the park does not close during the rainy season, so it is always an option!
Read also: What to do in Kandy, Sri Lanka? Discover 6x the best tips!
Read also: A 3-week tour of Sri Lanka
How do you travel to Udawalawe National Park?
Udawalawe lies roughly between the mountainous interior and the south coast. As a result, the park fits perfectly as a stopover between, say, Ella and the beaches of Mirissa or Tangalle.
- From Ella: about 3 hours' drive.
- From Mirissa or Weligama: about 4 hours.
- From Colombo or Negombo: 5 to 6 hours.
Whichever route you choose, allow for 3 to 6 hours of travel time, so don't plan your safari immediately after arrival, but rather the morning after. You can opt for a, taxi, bus or private transfer. You can often arrange this through your accommodation. Want more convenience? Then book a organized tour where both transport and safari are arranged.
Tip: Like us, do you want to travel like a local? Then hire a tuktuk via tuktukrental.com! This is highly recommended and an experience you won't soon forget. And extra fun because we were able to arrange a discount for you! Click on the link above and our discount code ‘THOUSANDTRAVELMILES‘ is applied automatically. Handy isn't it?
Where to stay at Udawalawe National Park?
We recommend staying overnight near Udawalawe. The village itself is small and there isn't much to do in terms of restaurants or bars, so don't expect a bustling centre here. Still, it's handy to stay here for a night so you can go on safari early in the morning. That way, you won't have to travel far and you can easily move on to your next destination after the safari. Luckily, several fine lodges can be found in and around the village. We often book our accommodation last minute and therefore always put some favourite options ready in our Booking.com lists. These were our personal favourites for Udawalawe:
- Kottawatta River Bank Resort: An oasis of calm with a lovely outdoor pool, comfortable rooms and friendly staff. Perfect for travellers who want to relax and enjoy the view over the water after a morning on safari.
- Private Organic House: A charming and small-scale accommodation for those who like an authentic experience. The rooms are simple but cosy, and the hospitality makes your stay extra pleasant.
- Nature House: Accommodation with outdoor pool, simple but spacious rooms and in the middle of nature. If the reviews are to be believed, the staff is friendly and the food delicious!
- Mango Tree House Udawalawe: A cosy and snug guesthouse, close to the park. Perfect as a base for an early safari.
Our experience of Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe is one of our favourite safari parks! Seeing a herd of elephants in their natural habitat really makes a deep impression. So in other words: A visit to Udawalawe National Park should definitely not be missed in your itinerary through Sri Lanka. We hope these tips help you plan your trip. Still have questions? Then feel free to send us a message at Instagram.
Frequently asked questions about Udawalawe National Park
1. Which is better: Udawalawe or Yala National Park?
Udawalawe is quieter and known as Sri Lanka's premier elephant park, with a high chance of seeing herds up close. Yala has more variety in landscape and a greater chance of seeing leopards, but is often busier with jeeps and feels more touristy.
2. How many elephants live in Udawalawe National Park?
An estimated hundreds of wild elephants live in and around Udawalawe. The chances of seeing several animals during a safari, often even in groups, are therefore very high, especially in the dry season when they gather around water sources.
3. How long does a safari in Udawalawe National Park take?
Most safaris last half a day, about 3 to 4 hours. You can opt for a morning safari or an afternoon safari. Some providers also offer longer tours, but half a day is usually more than enough to see many animals.
4. What does a safari in Udawalawe cost on average?
Roughly count on a combination of a jeep with guide and entrance tickets. A half-day jeep often costs around LKR 4,500-5,500 per vehicle, plus entrance fees of around LKR 7,500 per person. If you share the jeep, the cost per person goes down.
5. Is Udawalawe National Park suitable with children?
Yes, Udawalawe is doable with children. During our safari, we saw several parents with their children. The distances in the park are not extremely long and the chances of spotting elephants and other wildlife are high. Do bring plenty of water, snacks, a cap and sunscreen, because in the jeep you are in the sun most of the time.
6. Do I need a private jeep, or can I share a safari?
A shared jeep is fine if you want to cut costs. If you want more flexibility in stops, photography and pace, a private jeep is best. Especially if you are travelling with your own travelling party or family, a private jeep is often worth the small price difference.
7. Do I need to book my safari in Udawalawe in advance?
In high season and if you have a tight itinerary, booking in advance is handy. If you travel outside the busiest season and have some leeway, you can often arrange a last-minute safari through your accommodation.
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