Visit The Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka

One of Sri Lanka’s best wildlife parks is Udawalawe National Park. People who love animals and nature should go there. People love this park in the southeast of the country because it has so many elephants, beautiful scenery, and many other animals. If you like to take pictures, watch birds, or just go on exciting safaris once in a lifetime, Udawalawe is a great way to see Sri Lanka’s natural beauty.

A Quick Look at History

Because the Udawalawe Reservoir was being built, animals had to move. That’s why Udawalawe National Park was made in 1972. The park covers an area of 308 square kilometres and has grasslands, forests, and wetlands where many animals live. Udawalawe is different from many of Sri Lanka’s other national parks because it is more open, which makes it easier and more common to see wildlife.

How to Get There

From Colombo, which is 165 km away, it takes about 4 to 5 hours to drive to Udawalawe National Park. The best way to get there is by private car or paid driver, but from big cities like Colombo, Galle, and Kandy, you can also take the bus or train. A lot of people go to Udawalawe along with Ella or Yala National Park and other interesting places in the southern and central parts of Sri Lanka.

When you should go the most

There is no bad time to visit the park, but May through September, when it is dry, is the best time. This is a good time to see wildlife because animals are more likely to gather near water. The best times for safaris are early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when animals are most active.

An Adventure in Safari

A trek in Udawalawe is an exciting trip. A 4×4 jeep tour with an expert guide is the best way to see the park. The guide can point out animals and talk about the ecosystem. The best times to see animals are during drives early in the morning and late at night. Safaris last about three to four hours.

Wildlife in Udawalawe

People come to Udawalawe to see the elephants, and there are over 500 of them living there happily. People almost always see elephants there, and they’re usually in groups. It’s one of the best places in Asia to see elephants.

  • The park is home to many different types of animals, besides elephants.
  • Leopards: People who are very lucky might see one of these rare big cats.
  • Another interesting animal to see is the sloth bear, which has thick fur and is sometimes seen.
  • Water cows are often seen taking a break in fields or swimming in water holes.
  • Crocodiles live in the marts and rivers in the park.
  • The Sambar deer and the Spotted deer are both popular herbivores that help keep the plants in the area healthy.
  • Smaller animals like jackals, mongooses, and wild boars make safaris more interesting.

Heaven for Birdwatching

People who love to watch birds will love Udawalawe. They have seen more than 200 different kinds of birds there. Here are some of the most important parts:

  1. Eagles with tails that rise up and a variable hawk-eagle
  2. The Sri Lankan Grey Hornbill and the Malabar Pied Hornbill
  3. You can see the peacock, the stork, and the pelican.
  4. There are different kinds of kingfishers, bee-eaters, and woodpeckers.

Bird photographers will love Udawalawe. The best times to go are from November to April, when birds are moving.

Elephant Safe Haven in Udawalawe

The Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home is a must-see place close to the park. Elephant babies that have been left alone can get better there. Young elephants are cared for at the Centre before they are sent back into the wild. The Dept. of Wildlife Conservation is in charge of it. There are four feedings a day, and people can watch them. They are very moving.

Options for where to stay

Near Udawalawe, there are many places to stay, ranging from fancy game camps to cheap guesthouses. Some places that come to mind are:

  • The Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort and Kalu’s Hideaway are high-end.
  • Elephant Trail and Eliyanth Udawalawe are both moderately priced.
  • Make plans for your trip: The Athgira River Camping Ground and the Udawalawe Safari Resort
  • To get a more authentic feel, some hotels offer organised night safaris where you can camp in tents.

What to Pack

  • Bring these things with you on your trip if you want to get the most out of it:
  • Clothes that are light and dull
  • A nice pair of glasses to watch birds.
  • For animal shots, a camera with a zoom lens is best.
  • Put on sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
  • To stay healthy, drink a lot of water.
  • It keeps bugs away, like mosquitoes.
  • Smart travel and taking care of the world
  • People who go to Udawalawe to see wildlife are asked to be careful because it is a protected area. These rules are very important:
  • Do not feed or bother the animals.
  • Keep the noise level down so animals don’t get scared.
  • Follow the park’s rules and be nice to the animals.
  • Get your vacation from a company that cares about animals and the environment.

Thoughts for now

The Udawalawe National Park is a lovely spot where you can have an unforgettable wildlife journey. If you’re going to Sri Lanka, Udawalawe is the place you should see. It doesn’t matter if you want to see elephant groups, rare birds, or just the beauty of the country’s wildness. Udawalawe is still a great place for nature fans and people who want to try new things because it is easy to get to and has lots of different plants and animals.