Safari in Sri Lanka: Udawalawe National Park

Elephants have always been my favorite animals, and although I’ve had the chance to see them up close many times before, I wanted my son to experience the same wonder. In planning our trip to Sri Lanka, I aimed to include an encounter with elephants that was ethical and respectful to their natural habitat. My research led me to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, which, despite its popularity in photos, didn’t align with my ethical standards due to reports of elephants being chained and used for commercial purposes. Instead, we chose to explore Udawalawe National Park, renowned for its elephant safari and opportunities to observe these magnificent creatures in the wild. Our adventure in Udawalawe, alongside my 3-year-old son, was an unforgettable experience that I’m eager to share.

The Ultimate Budget Travel Guide to Maldives

Udawalawe National Park

Established in 1972, Udawalawe National Park is located in the south of Sri Lanka and is a very popular destination for those who want to see elephants in their natural habitat. Since there are hundreds of elephants in the park, it is one of the most ideal places in Sri Lanka where you can see elephants throughout the year. Sri Lanka has the highest population of wild Asian elephants in the world, according to the World Organization for the Protection of Animals’ research report in Asia. While there are an estimated 5-6 thousand elephants in the wild, there are 100-200 elephants in captivity. As a result, Sri Lanka is the best country in Asia for protecting wildlife and at the same time making it accessible to tourists. Other national parks where you can do safari in Sri Lanka are located in Yala, Udawalawe, Kaudulla and Minneriya.

When to go on safari in Sri Lanka? Best time to go to Udawalawe

You can go on safari all year round in Sri Lanka. Of course, you may have more chances to see animals in different national parks on different dates. Speaking for Udawalawe, it is said that the best time to see migratory birds and elephants is between October and April. We were there in November and we saw a lot of elephants. The best times to go on safari in Udawalawe are very early in the morning and late in the afternoon, between 6-10 in the morning and 2-6 in the afternoon.

How to get to Udawalawe? Udawalawe transportation

We went to Udawalawe from Ella and hired a car with a driver from the hotel where we stayed, it takes about 2 hours, I paid 7000 Sri Lankan Rupees. Since I was on my own with the child and I had a lot of stuff in my hands, it was more comfortable for me. There are of course more affordable options such as renting a shared car, tuk tuk or public transportation. Let me talk a little bit about public transportation since I researched it earlier. If you are going to pass through Ella like me, you first take the Ella – Wellawaya bus, a 40-minute journey awaits you. From there you take the Colombo bus number 98 and get off at Udawalawe, the journey takes around 1 hour. Obviously, if you are coming from Colombo, you can reach Udawalawe by direct buses.

Udawalawe Safari Experience and Udawalawe Safari Fees

Let me write a little bit about our own safari adventure. I’ll start with Udawalawe safari prices. We arranged the safari from the hotel where we were staying, we did safari with a private vehicle for two of us. We paid 50$ in total for this, including the rent of a private vehicle that picks you up and drops you off at your hotel and takes you around the park and the adult entrance fee. If you take a vehicle for 4 people, that is, if you share the vehicle with another 2 people, the price is 35$. These prices are so low compared to the safari prices in Africa so I think you will be sorry if you go to Sri Lanka and skip the safari experience.

Although I was a little hesitant with the child, I preferred the morning safari. We were ready to be in the vehicle at 5.5 in the morning and we set off at 5:45. During dinner, they gave us provisions in small baskets for those who were going on safari in the morning. After the safari was over, we had a real Sri Lankan breakfast this time when we returned to the hotel around 10 am.

What animals can you see in Udawalawe?

The safari was very productive for us, we saw a lot of elephants. The elephants literally walk right by you, they even stand right next to you. It was a fascinating experience even for me, who knows how my son felt. Since he is a little cool in nature, he did not react excessively, but of course he liked it very much. If you are afraid of safari because you have children, don’t worry, definitely go. Apart from elephants, we saw lots of peacocks, different birds, monkeys, buffaloes, deer, iguanas and a crocodile. There are a few leopards in the park, but we didn’t see any, I had read about them before, maybe you will see them.

Where to stay in Udawalawe? Udawalawe accommodation

You don’t need to stay for safari in Udawalawe, you can come from the beach side or Ella side and join the afternoon safari and continue on your way or you can leave at 3-4 in the morning and catch the morning safari. I preferred the more comfortable option and stayed at The Countryside Udawalawe for 1 night, you can find the booking link here and I recommend it to anyone who wants to go. You stay in very comfortable cottages with their own verandas, including breakfast was 40$ per night when I stayed. We had dinner at the hotel again, it was a mini buffet of Sri Lankan food, it was 4$ per person and it was very delicious. There are of course much more affordable accommodation options.

You can check here for other affordable accommodation alternatives in Udawalawe.

Tips for safari in Udawalawe

When going on safari in Udawalawe, wear short sleeves but take a thin coat or sweatshirt with you, it is cool in the early morning and hot afterwards. I recommend wearing thin pants or leggings underneath.

Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, jeeps are open and mud etc. can splash when passing through places.

There are only bananas and biscuits in the rations provided, and the hotel gave it to us. There may be nothing to eat and drink on safari, you may want to buy water and snacks.

Don’t forget to charge the batteries of your camera and phone in the evening.

Before you set off, take care of your toilet needs first because you may not have the opportunity for this in the park.

There were a lot of mosquitoes where we stayed, probably in other hotels as well, so you should take mosquito repellent with you. You will be more comfortable if you take something with thin long sleeves.

When going on safari in Udawalawe, wear short sleeves but take a thin coat or sweatshirt with you, it is cool in the early morning and hot afterwards. I recommend wearing thin pants or leggings underneath.

Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, jeeps are open and mud etc. can splash when passing through places.

There are only bananas and biscuits in the rations provided, and the hotel gave it to us. There may be nothing to eat and drink on safari, you may want to buy water and snacks.

Don’t forget to charge the batteries of your camera and phone in the evening.

Before you set off, take care of your toilet needs first because you may not have the opportunity for this in the park.

There were a lot of mosquitoes where we stayed, probably in other hotels as well, so you should take mosquito repellent with you. You will be more comfortable if you take something with thin long sleeves.

Udawalawe is one of the best choices for those who want to see elephants in their natural environment in Sri Lanka. I hope this article provides useful information when planning a trip to Sri Lanka. If you have any questions other than what is written here, please leave a comment, if I know the answer, I will respond and others will also benefit.

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