Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park lies at the borders of the Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces of Sri Lanka. The park was made to provide a sanctuary for animals after the construction of a major water reservoir, a massive and beautiful body of water which you will pass as you enter this park. Driving into Udawalawe along the majestic causeway which crosses the Udawalawe dam can be one of the most beautiful and memorable experiences of a visit to Sri Lanka.
The Udawalawe National Park covers about 120 square miles of dry and wet zone brush forest, plains dominate the landscape, along with a smattering of mountainous areas. The months from October to January and March to May see a lot of rainfall. Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka can be visited all throughout the year, but if you want to see its magnificent collection of migratory birds the ideal time to go would be between the months of November and March.
Udawalawe National Park is an important home for Sri Lankan elephants. This park offers the best opportunity to see Sri Lankan elephants in the wild, your safari jeep can often get within touching distance of them, and you can see them directly in front of you as they bask in the sun, take neverending mud baths, and take highly satisfying bites out of the surrounding flora. Udawalawe is a primary protected area that takes care of abandoned cubs and orphaned elephants from all over Sri Lanka. About 250 permanent resident elephants currently call it home.
Udawalawe National Park is also home to several other species of Sri Lankan fauna such as the fishing cat, the rusty-spotted cat and the famous Sri Lankan leopard. The Sri Lankan sambar and axis deer, wild boar species of monkey and water buffalo are also common sights, while you will be very lucky to spot the elusive Sri Lankan sloth bear skulking in the jungle.
This national park is also an excellent birdwatching site if you would like to enjoy this past time during your visit to Sri Lanka. Endemic species like the Sri Lankan spurfowl, red-faced malkoha, Sri Lankan grey hornbill populate the park while rare migrant birds such as the white wagtail and black capped kingfisher are prize spots.
Udawalawe is easily reached from Colombo via a 4-5 hour drive. It can also be accessed easily from the South coast, East coast, Kandy and other popular holiday destinations in Sri Lanka. There are plenty of luxurious places to stay near the park, many of these places also offer safari services which will take you directly from your hotel and into the jungle! We would recommend Wild Elephant, Athgira River Camping, Eliyanth Udawalawa Hotel and Centauria Wild.