Menu
Sri Lanka Udawalawe elephants
Sri Lanka Udawalawe Lilac breasted roller
Sri Lanka Udawalawe elephants2

Sri Lanka’s finest national park is home to herds of elephants, wild buffalo, crocodiles and leopards.

The park’s light vegetation makes it easier to spot the animals, with the 200 Asian elephants that call the Udawalawe home the main attraction.

Hidden gems in Udawalawe

Udawalawe

Wild elephant spotting in Udawalawe National Park

Vidya Balachander
Vidya Balachander
Experience

With Sri Lanka’s largest wild elephant population, Udawalawe National Park is a quieter alternative to the frequently overcrowded Yala National Park. (It is also the only national park in the country where an elephant sighting is virtually assured). Just south of the Central Highlands, the park is a four-hour drive from Colombo. Eco-conscious travellers with an appetite for adventure will enjoy staying at Banyan Camp. Just outside Udawalawe’s perimeter, the lodge is built of natural materials, uses recycled furniture and eschews air-conditioning. This isn’t your average resort, so it would be prudent to expect a few surprises. The best time to visit Udawalawe is in the dry season between May and September.

Read more

Udawalawe tours

Complete Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

Complete Sri Lanka

Ancient temples and endless beaches
16 days £2,950£4,200 pp
Big Mammals of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

Big Mammals of Sri Lanka

Leopards, Elephants & Whales
17 days £4,000£8,000 pp
Classic Family Holiday
Sri Lanka

Classic Family Holiday

Visit the ancient cities
17 days £4,000£8,000 pp
Adventure Escape
Sri Lanka

Adventure Escape

10 days From $1,810 pp
Sri Lanka tailor made tours
Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka tailor made tours

Custom itineraries & private trips
13 days From £3,950 pp

Udawalawe travel companies

South Asia, Southeast Asia

Yonder Travel

Tailor-made journeys to Asia
Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia

Experience Travel Group

Immersive Holidays That Give Back

Why Horizon Guides?

Impartial guidebooks

Impartial travel guides

Our guides are written by the leading experts in their destinations. We never take payment for positive coverage so you can count on us for impartial travel advice.

Expert itineraries

Expert itineraries

Suggested itineraries and routes to help you scratch beneath the surface, avoid the tourist traps, and plan an authentic, responsible and enjoyable journey.

Specialist advice

Specialist advice

Get friendly, expert travel advice and custom itineraries from some of the world's best tour operators, with no spam, pressure or commitment to book.