WildlifeHalf a day

Udawalawe National Park

Sri Lanka's wild elephant country

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Udawalawe National Park is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to experience wildlife in its natural habitat. Famous for its large population of wild elephants, the park is a vast landscape of open grasslands, wetlands, forests, and reservoirs where elephants, water buffalo, crocodiles, deer, and colourful birdlife can often be spotted. Its open terrain makes wildlife viewing especially rewarding, with sightings possible throughout the year. A safari through Udawalawe is an unforgettable way to experience Sri Lanka’s wild side. Set out early in the morning or later in the afternoon when animals are most active, and keep your camera ready as you explore the park's rugged tracks. Whether you're hoping to see a herd of elephants up close or simply want to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the wilderness, Udawalawe offers an authentic safari experience without needing to travel deep into the island's remote interior.

Get quotes for Udawalawe National Park View on map

Free to request. Local agents send you binding quotes — you choose, and pay the agent directly.

Things to do in Udawalawe National Park

Go on an early-morning jeep safari

Take an afternoon wildlife safari

Spot wild elephants

Look for water buffalo and spotted deer

Watch crocodiles around the wetlands

Photograph colourful birds

Explore the park's grasslands and forests

Visit the Udawalawe Reservoir

Look for monkeys and other wildlife

Enjoy a sunset safari experience

Planning a trip to Udawalawe National Park

How long should you stay?

Most travellers give Udawalawe National Park half a day. Our trip planner budgets one night for it when it builds an itinerary around it, and you can move nights between stops yourself.

How do you get there?

About 57 km by road from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRI), the nearest airport we list for Sri Lanka. Agents arrange a private car or van with a driver as part of the trip.

Who is it for?

Travellers planning a trip around:

Wildlife & Safari

Distances are measured between the coordinates we hold for each place and allow for real roads — planning figures, not exact drive times.

What’s near Udawalawe National Park

Baker's Falls~51 km

A Misty Waterfall in the Wilderness

Horton Plains National Park~54 km

Walk through misty highlands, cloud forests and dramatic cliffs at Sri Lanka’s iconic Horton Plains.

Diyaluma Falls~56 km

Sri Lanka's Majestic Cascade of Natural Pools

Hiriketiya Beach~70 km

A laid-back tropical bay where surf, sunshine, and beach life come together.

Bundala National Park~74 km

A birdwatcher’s paradise of lagoons, wetlands, wildlife, and golden sunsets.

Nuwara Eliya~74 km

Little England in the Heart of Sri Lanka

Build a trip that combines Udawalawe National Park with these ·See Sri Lanka itineraries

Common questions about Udawalawe National Park

How many days should you spend in Udawalawe National Park?

Most travellers give Udawalawe National Park half a day. Our trip planner budgets one night for it when it builds an itinerary around it, and you can move nights between stops yourself.

How do you get to Udawalawe National Park?

Udawalawe National Park is about 57 km by road from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRI), the nearest airport we list for Sri Lanka. Most travellers cover it by private car or van with a driver, which the local agent you choose arranges as part of your trip.

What is there to do in Udawalawe National Park?

The main draws are Go on an early-morning jeep safari, Take an afternoon wildlife safari, Spot wild elephants, Look for water buffalo and spotted deer and Watch crocodiles around the wetlands. Local agents build these into a day plan around the time you have there.

What is near Udawalawe National Park?

The closest places we cover are Baker's Falls (about 51 km by road), Horton Plains National Park (about 54 km by road) and Diyaluma Falls (about 56 km by road). Distances are measured between the coordinates we hold for each place, so they are planning figures rather than exact drive times.

Who is Udawalawe National Park best suited to?

Udawalawe National Park is filed under wildlife & safari on MyGetawayBuddy, so it suits travellers planning that kind of trip. Tell us what you are after and agents who cover Sri Lanka will say whether it fits.

How much does a trip to Udawalawe National Park cost?

There is no single figure, and we do not publish one. You describe the trip once, local agents who cover Sri Lanka send you binding quotes, and you compare them side by side. Requesting quotes is free, MyGetawayBuddy charges no booking fee, and you pay the agent you choose directly.