Udawalawe National Park Safari | Wildlife Adventure in Sri Lanka 2025

The Udawalawe National Park is a gem of Sri Lanka, welcoming wildlife enthusiasts for a memorable adventure in Sri Lanka’s wilderness. With its diverse ecosystems and rich wildlife, the national park offers a wide range of activities that will leave you with amazing memories in your Sri Lanka trip. Whether you are interested in bird watching, seeking a serene environment, or you are a great photographer, the Udawalawe National Park is a perfect choice to explore. You can spot various animals in their natural habitat, right from elephants, crocodiles, deer, to birds, while making every safari a unique experience.
Planning a Sri Lanka Tour, a visit to Udawalawe National Park is a must. The open landscape at this national park is not just a thrilling adventure, but it also represents the beauty and fragility of the natural world. During the safari tours, you will get deep into the heart of the wildlife and get an opportunity to witness the majestic creatures. Besides enjoying the jeep safaris, the Udawalawe National Park impresses people with blissful lakes and rolling hills that offer breathtaking views at every corner. With Hotel Dekho Sri Lanka Tour Packages, Udawalawe National Park Safaris are included to offer you an extraordinary adventure and discover the wonders of Sri Lanka’s wildlife.
Why is Udawalawe National Park famous?
Udawalawe National Park is famous for around 250 elephants, leopards, and different species of birds. Unlike other national parks, Udawalawe offers guaranteed sightings of elephants, which are often observed as bathing, interacting with each other, and feeding. Besides the Asian elephants, the Udawalawe National Park is popular for its diverse landscape, including forests, grasslands, and the reservoir. The well-maintained safari routes and easy accessibility to reach the national park have made it more famous across Sri Lanka. You can choose either a half-day or a full-day tour, included in the Sri Lanka Tour Packages, and have a smooth experience on your trip.
Planning Your Udawalawe Safari
Planning a thrilling safari in Udawalawe National Park, you can choose different kinds of safaris, like the early morning and afternoon safari, or a half-day and full-day tour, and also a group or private safari tour. Before you start planning a safari, you must book in advance, and one of the best places from which you can book is the Sri Lanka tour packages offered by Hotel Dekho. It promises a hassle-free journey with an efficient tourist guide helping you spot all the animals.
Whether you choose to go on a morning safari or an afternoon safari, it is suggested to wear neutral colored clothes, bring binoculars, and a good camera with you to capture the beautiful wildlife and scenery. If you are interested in combining the Udawalawe safari with exploring the nearby attractions, our Sri Lanka tour packages include a safari at the Elephant Transit Home, where you can see the baby elephants.
Udawalawe National Park Tickets And Entry Information
- For Foreign Nationals, the Udawalawe National Park tickets for adults are around $40-45 USD. For children aged 6-12 years, the ticket price is $30-35 USD.
- For Sri Lankan Nationals, visiting the Udawalawe National Park, the fee is 1000-1500 LKR, while the children’s fee is 500-750 LKR.
The Udawalawe National Park is open all year round, and the timings are 6:00 AM- 6:00 PM. If you are planning to stay longer in the national park or want to go for multiple safaris, additional prices will be included.
Best Time To Visit Udawalawe National Park
The best time to visit the Udawalawe National Park is between May to September. During these months, the weather is effective for safaris and wildlife sightseeing as the animals gather around water sources. Exploring the national park during the dry season, there is a low chance of rainfall, which makes it easier for visitors to spot the wildlife and enhances visibility for safari goers. Travelling in the wet season, from October to April, you will get to see lush greenery, and there are fewer crowds. During this time, you can enjoy the park, especially for bird watching and the vibrant landscape.
How to reach Udawalawe National Park
- By Car
If you are travelling by car to reach the Udawalawe National Park, you must head towards the Saiban Road, and it takes approximately 10 minutes to visit the national park. Staying in Ella, a town in Sri Lanka, you can drive by car to Udawalawe National Park, and this will take around 2 hours and 14 minutes to reach.
- By Bus
Take a local bus from the Udawalawe bus station as it moves towards Embilipitiya and stops at Saiban Road. From here, there is a walking distance of around 5 minutes to Udawalawe National Park. Staying in Colombo, take a bus from the Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus terminal to Madampe, and it will take approximately 2 hours and 54 minutes to reach. From Madampe, hire a taxi to reach Udawalawe National Park and you will reach in 1 hour and 40 minutes.
- By Taxi
You can travel by taxi from Colombo to Udawalawe National Park, and the taxi will take around 3 hours and 41 minutes to reach the destination.
Conclusion
The Udawalawe National Park is a treasure of natural wonders and rich wildlife. Right from amazing safaris and bird watching activities to visiting the famous nearby attractions and relaxing at hotels, there are numerous things to do in Udawalawe National Park. With convenient accessibility, affordable ticket prices, and well-managed tours, this destination is ideal to include in the Sri Lanka tour packages. So, plan your visit to the Udawalawe National Park at the best time to enjoy the wildlife activities.