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    Udawalawe National Park

    Sri Lanka

    Udawalawe National Park

    Point of Interest

    Udawalawe National Park is situated on the border of Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces, approximately 165 kilometers from Colombo and north of the South Coast.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Sri Lanka
    7. South Coast
    9. Udawalawe National Park
    Udawalawe National Park is situated on the border of Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces, approximately 165 kilometers from Colombo and north of the South Coast. It is renowned for excellent year-round elephant sightings and makes for a perfect day trip from the coast.The park was established on June 30, 1972, partly to protect animals that lost their habitat due to the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River. It covers approximately 308 square kilometers; a herd of an estimated 250 elephants lives here permanently, though tour guides often cite significantly higher total numbers.With 184 documented bird species, including 33 migratory birds, the park is also appealing to birdwatchers. Located at its edge is the Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned elephant calves are raised. The nearest town is Embilipitiya.

    Sights in Udawalawe National Park

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Elephant Transit Home
    Attraction

    1Elephant Transit Home

    Founded in 1995, the state-run facility raises orphaned and injured elephant calves and releases them into the wild at around five to six years old, many of them in the national park. Visitors watch the feeding from a platform.
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    Safari in Udawalawe National Park
    National Park

    2Safari in Udawalawe National Park

    Founded in 1972, the park covers approximately 308 square kilometers around the Udawalawe Reservoir. An estimated 250 elephants live permanently here, along with 184 bird species.
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    Udawalawe Reservoir
    Natural Feature

    3Udawalawe Reservoir

    The dammed lake on the Walawe River is the park's center; its construction was the reason for the protected area's founding.
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    Restaurants in Udawalawe National Park

    1

    Bath Gedara Restaurant

    Restaurant in Udawalawa with a homemade Rice-and-Curry buffet and a wide selection of curries. Guests praise the fair pricing.
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    2

    Hungry Monkey

    Restaurant on C. P. De Silva Road in Udawalawa, near the Elephant Transit Home, serving curries, pizza, and sizzlers. The service is often praised; no beer is available.
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    3

    vibeX

    Restaurant with a pub on Thanamalvila Road in Udawalawa, featuring a buffet and Chicken Kottu. Guests highlight the friendly service and generous portions.
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    Visit and Tickets

    AdmissionInformation on admission fees for foreign adults varies; the most recent figure mentioned was approximately 15 US dollars, plus taxes and fees (as of October 2026, verify with the Wildlife Authority beforehand). The national parks are open daily from 6 AM to 6 PM.Elephant Transit HomeThe calves can only be seen from a platform during feeding times. These times differ depending on the source; check with the operator in advance. On weekends and holidays, it is often crowded.

    Arrival and Safari

    Getting ThereAround 165 kilometers from Colombo. The nearest town is Embilipitiya; the park can be reached as a day trip from the South Coast.In the ParkSafaris take place by jeep.

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    Nearby

    Haputale

    Haputale

    Haputale is a mountain town on the southern edge of the Highlands, west of Ella, situated on a narrow ridge above tea slopes. You come for Lipton's Seat, the Dambatenne tea factory, and Adisham Monastery, all reachable on day trips.The small town center, with its train station, bus stand, and simple eateries, stretches along the ridge. To the east, the road leads through the Dambatenne plantations up to Lipton's Seat; to the west, Adisham Monastery lies in the forests.Haputale is located on the Highland Line, where trains have been running again between Nanu Oya and Badulla since June 2026.
    Horton Plains National Park

    Horton Plains National Park

    Horton Plains National Park is a high plateau at around 2,000 meters, approximately 20 kilometers south of Nuwara Eliya and 20 kilometers west of Haputale. It is known for its circular trail to World's End cliff and Baker's Falls, the only national park trail in Sri Lanka you are allowed to hike without a guide.The 3,160-hectare park lies between Kirigalpotta and Totapola, the island's second and third highest peaks. Highland forest and wet grassland characterize the landscape, with an average temperature of about 16 degrees. Sambar deer are most frequently encountered, but wild boars and leopards also live here.It’s worth setting off early: From late morning onwards, clouds often roll in and obscure the view from World’s End.
    Sinharaja Forest Reserve

    Sinharaja Forest Reserve

    Sinharaja is Sri Lanka's most famous lowland rainforest, located in the hinterland of the south coast, approximately 120 kilometers southeast of Colombo. Since 1988, the area has been protected as a UNESCO Natural Heritage site and is a destination for birdwatchers and nature hikes.Over 60 percent of the trees are endemic, and 19 of Sri Lanka's 20 endemic bird species are found here. The wildlife also includes leopards and the endemic White-bearded langur. The protected area extends across the districts of Ratnapura, Galle, and Kalutara and is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.Visitors enter the forest through several access points. The most frequently used is the North Entrance near Kudawa, with the Kudawa Conservation Centre; from the south coast, the Southeast Entrance near Deniyaya and Mederipitiya is closer.
    Tangalle

    Tangalle

    Tangalle is a port town in the Hambantota District, approximately 195 kilometers south of Colombo and 35 kilometers east of Matara. Located on one of Sri Lanka's largest bays, with its tranquil beaches, the Mulkirigala rock temple, and the Rekawa turtle nesting sites, it's a destination for travelers who prefer a less bustling atmosphere.The name means "projecting rock" in Sinhalese. In the town center stands an old Dutch fort, which today serves as a prison. The Dutch and British utilized the bay as an anchorage.The beaches are divided into several sections: Medaketiya is the liveliest with cafés and guesthouses, Goyambokka is situated in a sheltered bay west of town, and Silent Beach is a small, palm-fringed cove away from the hustle and bustle.
    Ella

    Ella

    Ella is a small town on the southeastern edge of the highlands and the region's most popular hiking base. From here, you can reach the Nine Arches Bridge, Little Adam's Peak, and Ella Rock on foot; the railway line from Nanu Oya ends here for many travelers.Life revolves around the main street between the train station and bus stop, where cafés, restaurants, and bars line up. East of the town lies the area around the Nine Arches Bridge near Demodara, while to the south, the road leads down to the Ravana Falls towards Wellawaya.Since June 20, 2026, trains have been stopping in Ella again, after the Nanu Oya to Badulla section was closed for about seven months due to cyclone damage.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI