Park or nature areaOutline guide

Udawalawe National Park

National park in Sri Lanka

Photo: Kavishka Kulathilaka, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Udawalawe (also spelled Udawalawa) is a national park which lies on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces in Sri Lanka. It is famous for its large wild elephant population, making an excellent destination for safari-style tours.

Getting there and around

Getting there

Fees and permits
The entrance fee ranges around Rs.
Jeep and driver
A vehicle and driver/spotter can be arranged in Udawalawe town, online, or through your accommodation. There are plenty of operators, so read reviews and shop around.

Read in the guide

Getting around

Getting around the park can only be done by vehicle. You can either hire or bring in a permitted vehicle. The tours take several hours and you have a choice to take a guide along with you.

Read in the guide

Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

Mattala · Regional · HRI

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Read before you go to Udawalawe National Park

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Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

UnderstandUdawalawe National Park is a wildlife sanctuary which was constructed to safeguard the animals which had to move during the construction of the Udawalawe reservoir.

Get inThere are regular buses from various locations in Sri Lanka to Udawalawe:

Get aroundGetting around the park can only be done by vehicle. You can either hire or bring in a permitted vehicle. The tours take several hours and you have a choice to take a guide along with you.

SeeAs a national park, there are no specific places to see other than the Udawalawe reservoir.

DoBesides visiting the national park, there are no other attractions in the area.

BuyA small store is at the entrance. You can buy souvenirs and snacks.

EatIt is essential to bring along food for this trip. You may only bring food items wrapped in biodegradable material (such as paper, or degradable polythene) or in a reusable storage (lunch box, plastic container).

DrinkBring water. You can buy bottled water at the entrance if needed.

SleepIt's best to spend a night in Udawalawa town so that you can start your safari early next morning (usually leaving around 05:30). Don't arrive in Udawalawa too early though, as there are no other attractions in the area.

Stay safeYou will be viewing wild animals in their habitat. One obvious rule when going safari tours is that you stay in your vehicle at all times. If you get out of your vehicle, you will be exposed to risk.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Udawalawe National Park" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Udawalawe National Park", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Kavishka Kulathilaka, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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