Do you like to get up close with majestic wild elephants in Sri Lanka? Without a doubt, the best place to see them in their natural habitat is Udawalawe National Park. While Yala is famous as the best place for watching leopards, Udawalawe is considered the best place for watching herds of elephants. The reason is that Udawalawe is one of Sri Lanka’s smallest national parks at only 308.2 km² area. But over 600 – 700 elephants are living in this space. Thus, the elephant density in Udawalawe is quite high, and spotting them during your safari trip is 100% guaranteed.
Udawalawe National Park is the 3rd most visited park in Sri Lanka, staying behind only Yala and Wilpattu. It has attracted thousands of visitors, including both locals and foreign tourists since it was declared as a National Park in 1972. Although the Sri Lankan elephants are a major attraction, there are a lot more exotic creatures living in the park. Udawalawe is amazingly rich in biological diversity where you can witness a multitude of different species of mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish species.
In this post, we are going to give you a complete guide to Udawalawe National Park. We will show you all the details including the road map, its amazing wildlife as well as the jaw-dropping natural sceneries.
History of Udawalawe
Udawalawe Dam was built in the 1960s across the Walawe River, creating the Udawalawe reservoir. This reservoir encompasses a total surface area of 35 km² and it is the largest waterbody in the vicinity. After the construction of the Udawalawe reservoir, the surrounding area was designated and established as a National Park of Sri Lanka in 1972. The park provided a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir, as well as helped to protect the catchment of the reservoir.
When you visit the park, you’ll go through this 100 m tall and 665 m long Udawalawe Dam. This dam is a striking structure that offers beautiful scenery. Visitors may stroll around the dam and take in expansive views of the surrounding landscape. In addition, the Dam is charming around sunset, when the sky becomes orange and pink, making for an incredible backdrop for photographs.
How to reach Udawalawe
Udawalawe locates between Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces. There are 2 routes to reach Udawalawe via the southern expressway or via Ratnapura. The distance from the capital of Colombo along the southern expressway is 250 km. If you use Mattala Airport, it is quite easy to reach Udawalawe National Park via Thanamalvila Rd.
If you are going to travel by bus, catch a bus bound for Embilipitiya via Ratnapura from Colombo central bus station. This is a long journey that takes around 5.5 hours. If you take a bus run in the southern expressway, it will take fewer hours than this normal route.
If you intend to travel by train, the southern coastal railway runs only up to Beliatta. You may take a train from Colombo to Beliatta and use another means of transport to reach Udawalawe.
Using a taxi is the best option to travel comfortably where you can easily reach Udawalawa National Park within 4 hours from Colombo via Ratnapura – Pelmadulla Road. You can check taxi fares on the 12GoAsia website and reserve a taxi for your journey to Udawalawe.
Entrance of Udawalawe
The park entrance is located about 10 km from Udawalawe town. It has only one entrance gate, unlike other large parks with several entrances. There are safari jeeps near the entrance to take you for an amazing safari through the jungle.
Unique features of Udawalawe
Out of 26 National Parks in Sri Lanka, Udawalawe occupies a special place where it is reminiscent of the African savannah. Here large expanses of dry grassland and scrubland are available due to the deforestation for chena cultivation.
These extensive regions of grass and scrubs with less forest cover make it easier to spot wildlife in the unobstructed plains. Even though plains are predominantly witnessed in the park, mountainous and rocky areas are visible in the background of the Udawalawe reservoir.
Another unique feature of Udawalawe National Park is the dead trees standing in the reservoir. They create a wonderful photogenic scenery with the background of the blue water of the lake. These dead trees give a visual reminder of the extent of forest cover before the construction of the Udawalawe Dam.
Biological diversity of Udawalawe
Udawalawe National Park shows an extremely rich biological diversity due to the presence of different habitats. The surrounding of the reservoir includes marshes, swamps, and wetlands. There are several tributaries of the Walawe River that run along the forests and grasslands giving a home to a wide spectrum of flora and fauna.
Species recorded from the park include 94 species of plants, 21 species of fish, 12 amphibians, 33 reptiles, 184 species of birds (33 of which are migratory), and 43 species of mammals. Additionally, 135 species of butterflies are found in Udawalawe.
Elephants in Udawalawe
Elephants have a special place in Sri Lankan jungles as they easily get the spotlight as the biggest mammals in the country. They live as herds in the jungles and thrive majestically in many national parks. Among all the parks, Udawalawe is the best place to get close to several meters of wild elephants. Especially, Udawalawe is famous for watching elephants in open habitats in the park.
The Sri Lankan elephants are much calmer and more tamed than their African counterparts. They are habituated to the safari jeeps and catching a glimpse of them during the jeep safari is easy. Certainly, you’ll be mesmerized and captivated by the sight of the thriving elephant population of Udawalawe.
Elephants are attracted to the park because of the Udawalawe reservoir. The park has an abundant supply of water and it is capable of sustaining a big herd of elephants. Permanently residing elephant families with cute baby elephants are a common sight in the park.
Birds in Udawalawe
Udawalawe is a wonderful birdwatching site with an estimated 184 species of birds living in the park. Endemics such as Sri Lanka spurfowl, Red-faced malkoha, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, Brown-capped babbler, and Sri Lanka junglefowl are among the resident breeders. Also, you’ll see that several species of bee eaters are abundant in the park.
The open land attracts large birds such as eagles. You can see more than 5 species of eagles in the park. Among them, white-bellied sea eagles, crested serpent eagles, grey-headed fish eagles, booted eagles, and crested hawk eagles are the most abundant species.
Land birds are in abundance in the park including Indian peafowl. The male peacock loves to perform and you may witness his lovely dance during the safari trip. Moreover, Udawalawe acts as a bird sanctuary that gives home to many species of aquatic birds such as storks and herons. These aquatic birds are a common sight in Udawalawe National Park.
Malabar pied hornbill is one of the most beautiful bird species you’ll find in Udawalawe National Park. These birds have a large cream-colored bill with a black casque and make a beautiful sight to witness.
Reptiles in Udawalawe
33 species of reptiles have been recorded in Udawalawe National Park including lizards, monitors, crocodiles, and snakes. Among them, the giant mugger crocodiles are a wonderful sight to witness. The Mugger Crocodile is the most enormous reptile in the park, which may reach lengths of 4 m. With their broader snout, they give an alligator-like, frightening appearance.
Mammals in Udawalawe
Udawalawe gives home to 43 species of mammals. Among them, water buffaloes are the most abundant species. They have two prominent curved shaped horns and the skin is typically black in color. You’ll find them in the muddy places in the park. They spend most of their time in water and feed on aquatic plants, marsh grasses, and giant reeds.
The spotted deer is one of the most abundant mammals in Udawalawe. They have white spots on their light brown body. You can see they live in big herds of as many as 50 or more individuals. Certainly, the beautiful spotted deer is among the most adorable wild animals in the park.
Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home
Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe has been created in 1995 to protect the elephant calves become orphaned as a result of human-elephant conflict. When an elephant mom dies, the calf becomes quite vulnerable without milk. These orphaned calves bring to this transit home and feed until they become strong enough to survive in their natural habitats.
The orphaned elephant calves are kept at part of the Udawalawe National Park to maintain familiarity with their original habitat. They are being looked after well in this facility. The calves are fed milk every 3 hours, starting from 9 am to 6 pm. Visitors can watch these cute elephant babies during the feeding sessions and also donate money for their milk expenses.
Since 1995, more than 200 elephants have been cared for and reintroduced into the wild at the age of five when they can take care of themselves. Most of the visitors to Udawalawe enthusiastically support this great effort.
Safari tours in Udawalawe
There are three kinds of safari tours available in Udawalawe National Park. They are morning, afternoon, or full-day safaris. You can select a safari trip from many tour operators in the area or through online booking.
Camping in Udawalawe
There are overnight options to stay in wildlife circuit bungalows inside the National Park. The amenities in these government-run bungalows are quite basic and not super comfortable. But it will give you an amazing experience. First of all, you need to book your bungalow through the Department of Wildlife Conservation eService. There are 5 bungalows in the park including Gonawiddagala, Thimbiriyamankada, Senuggala, Weheragolla, and Pokunuthanna.
Gonawiddagala Bungalow
Among all the wildlife circuit bungalows, the Gonawiddagala Bungalow has a superior scenic beauty as its sides directly face the reservoir. Visitors can enjoy a splendid and memorable time at this bungalow. There is a specially built viewing deck to observe elephants, deer, wild buffalos, and birds who arrive at the reservoir for water.
Gonawiddagala Bungalow is the most luxurious tourist bungalow of the Udawalawe National Park. Located at a distance of 11 km from the entrance gate, it is the nearest bungalow from the entrance of the park. The bungalow is powered by solar energy and furnished with modern bathrooms. Up to twelve visitors can be accommodated at the bungalow.
Thimbiriyamankada Bungalow
Thimbiriyamankada bungalow is one of 5 circuit bungalows available within the Udawalawe National Park. It is a wooden structure with a large viewing deck with an almost 300 degree view of the edge of the reservoir. It is by far one of the best bungalows in the park to stay and see wildlife.
This bungalow is a perfect spot to observe a multitude of species of birds, including eagles, storks, and pelicans. The upper establishment has been set up at a high elevation above the bungalow to witness picturesque and captivating sceneries.
Glamping in Udawalawe
Glamping in one of the luxury campsites around Udawalawe National Park will give you an incredible experience. The glamping tents are really comfortable with all the modern facilities. These glamping spots are located in the buffer zone of the park and you can enjoy the wildlife in these jungles. Among the top glamping spots in Udawalawe, Mahoora, Big Game, Gaga Bees, and Makulu Safari are the most popular ones among visitors.
Best Time to visit Udawalawe
Udawalawe lies on the boundary of Sri Lanka’s wet and dry zones. The average annual temperature is about 27–28 °C. The park has an annual rainfall of 1,500 mm, most of which falls during the months from October to January. The dry season from May to September is the best time to see the wildlife.
On the other hand, February to April is the perfect time to stay away from crowds while still having a good opportunity to see animals. No matter what time of year you travel, Udawalawe National Park is abundant with amazing wildlife and gives you a glimpse of Sri Lanka’s breathtaking natural splendor.
To sum up, Udawalawe National Park is one of the best places to go on a safari trip in Sri Lanka. Definitely, you’ll get an unforgettable experience of watching majestic wild elephants in their natural habitat. As well, you are guaranteed to see lots of amazing wildlife that will remain as an eternal memory in your mind. Welcome guys, Come and witness nature in all its glory at the Udawalawe National Park!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Pixabay, Facebook, and Twitter. All the copyrights are reserved by the original authors.
