Udawalawe National Park As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka,
you’re probably thinking about visiting Udawalawe National Park.
Framed by soaring highlands on its northern boundary, the Uda Walawe National Park is
one of the world’s best places to see wild elephants. Largely comprised of grasslands and
bush forest, it’s also one of the best national parks in Sri Lanka for game spotting.
Seeing elephants is one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka

Getting to Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is accessed right from the town of Udawalawa in central Sri
Lanka.
Udawalawe National Park is about a 2 hours drive from Mirissa, 1.5 hours from Ella, or 4
hours from Colombo.
If you plan on spending a night or two in Udawalalwe There are plenty of hotels and
guesthouses around so this is a good option for those with time.
Alternatively, you can easily go on a day tour from places like Colombo, Galle, Ella,
or Hikkaduwa to Udawalawe National Park. In fact, many tour offices will try to sell you
this option.

6 Things to Expect from a Safari in Udawalwe National Park

1. You WILL See Elephants in Udawalawe National Park

If you came to see elephants, then you’re in the right place!
On a safari in Udawalawe National Park, you will undoubtedly see elephants. In fact,
chances are that you will see many of them – babies, too!
The reason for this?
Udawalawe National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s smaller national parks at only 308.2 km². It
is estimated that within this space over 500 elephants live. It’s simple really, a smaller
space with a higher density of elephants increases your chances of seeing them!
tons of elephants! Within minutes of entering the park, group of about 7 elephants. Then,
throughout the safari, many more including a mother with two babies (one was very small)
as well as large male elephants crossing the road only meters from jeep!
Any time of year it is pretty much guaranteed that you will see elephants on an Udawalawe
safari – this is a great reason to visit!

2. Udawalawe National Park attracts lots of tourists

The downside to the “elephant guarantee” in Udawalawe National Park is that there will be
lots of other people there too. Tourists come from all over the world to Udawalawe to jump
in a jeep and see wild elephants for themselves!
As you drive into the park there are tons of jeeps everywhere you look. If your guide spots
an elephant or any animal for that matter, chances are the other guides will too. This
creates a traffic jam around the elephants.
Basically, don’t expect a peaceful jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park with just your
group and driver. There will likely almost always be another jeep (or 10) nearby fighting
for the prime spot to watch the animals. That’s not to say you won’t get to see them alone,
it’s just rare.

3. The safari jeep drivers are competitive

The jeep drivers/guides all want you to tip them, so they work hard to find you as many
animals as possible.
The drivers all race each other around the park trying to find the animals first to get their
group the closest spot. They are all speeding around and getting as close to the animals as
possible to box other drivers out. It is all very intense, to be honest, and feels hectic.
This race to get to the animals first is one aspect of the safari in Udawalawe National Park.

4. The Elephants are very tame

The other thing you should be aware of is that while these elephants are free in the wild,
they are almost tame. The elephants in Udawalawe National Park have become so
accustomed to hundreds of jeeps and people around them every day that they don’t react
the same as how a regular “wild” elephant would.
The elephants in Udawalawe just go about their business no matter how close the jeeps get
or how many of them there are. Eventually, if they get sick of being bothered, they will walk
off, but for the most part, they seemed unbothered.
While this was good for observing elephants, I couldn’t help but think about how “normal”
this way of life has become for the elephants who call Udawalawe National Park home. A
real wild elephant would likely walk away immediately from people or cars, or even get
aggressive/curious and approach the people (thus becoming potentially dangerous.) So,
don’t think you’ll be observing elephants in the wild how they would normally act on this
safari, these guys are just too used to seeing people and safari jeeps!

5. Seeing elephants in Udawalawe National Park is AMAZING!

Despite all the chaos and touristic-ness of it all, you can’t deny how amazing elephants are.
When I was on the safari in Udawalawe, I was in awe the entire time at these incredible
animals. Observing them from afar or getting right close up, they are incredible!
Seeing elephants on a safari like in Udawalawe National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime
experience, and one I’ll always remember.

6. You’ll see lots of other animals in Udawalawe National Park

the safari in Udawalawe National Park also got to see water buffalo, monkeys, crocodiles,
lizards, a variety of birds, and insects.
No leopard though. In fact, you won’t see leopards in Udawalawe National Park. You’ll need
to go to Yala National Park or Wilpattu National Park for that.
This is one sacrifice you need to make if you choose to do a safari in Udawalawe National
Park. No chance of seeing leopards, but a 100% chance of seeing elephants!