Overview

Udawalawe National Park covers over 308 square kilometres of grasslands, scrublands, and reservoirs, creating the perfect habitat for large herds of wild elephants. Unlike other parks where sightings can be elusive, Udawalawe almost guarantees elephant encounters — herds of 50 or more are common. The Elephant Transit Home nearby rehabilitates orphaned baby elephants before releasing them back into the wild.

Best Time to Visit

Year-round

Suggested Duration

1 Day

Difficulty Level

Easy

Location

Sabaragamuwa Province

Highlights

Discover the must-see attractions and experiences that make this destination truly unforgettable.

  • 01Guaranteed elephant sightings
  • 02Elephant Transit Home visits
  • 03Over 250 resident elephants
  • 04Udawalawe Reservoir birdlife
  • 05Diverse wildlife beyond elephants

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Gallery

Discover the beauty of this destination through our curated collection of photographs.

Wild elephants in their natural habitat in Sri Lanka
Elephants bathing in the river at Pinnawala
Group of Asian elephants at a tropical river
Sri Lankan leopard resting on a tree branch in Yala
Sunset on a beach with coconut palms in Sri Lanka

Unforgettable Moments
With Heken

Memories at one of Indonesia's most iconic destinations. Every journey tells a story worth sharing.

Colorful tuk-tuk ride through Sri Lanka

Sea of Sand Exploration

Cross the vast volcanic desert by 4x4 jeep or on foot.

Ancient Buddhist temple entrance in Sri Lanka

Temple at Sunrise

Watch the golden light illuminate ancient temple ruins at dawn.

Traditional stilt fisherman on the coast

Waterfall Trekking

Hike through lush jungle trails to discover hidden waterfalls.

Close encounter with a Sri Lankan elephant

Rice Terrace Walk

Stroll through emerald rice paddies carved into hillsides.

Tea picker in Sri Lanka's highland plantations

Wildlife Encounter

Spot exotic birds and wildlife in their natural habitat.

Surfers enjoying beach sunset in Sri Lanka

Coastal Sunset

End the day with a breathtaking sunset over the ocean.

Colorful tuk-tuk ride through Sri Lanka

Sea of Sand Exploration

Cross the vast volcanic desert by 4x4 jeep or on foot.

Ancient Buddhist temple entrance in Sri Lanka

Temple at Sunrise

Watch the golden light illuminate ancient temple ruins at dawn.

Traditional stilt fisherman on the coast

Waterfall Trekking

Hike through lush jungle trails to discover hidden waterfalls.

Close encounter with a Sri Lankan elephant

Rice Terrace Walk

Stroll through emerald rice paddies carved into hillsides.

Tea picker in Sri Lanka's highland plantations

Wildlife Encounter

Spot exotic birds and wildlife in their natural habitat.

Surfers enjoying beach sunset in Sri Lanka

Coastal Sunset

End the day with a breathtaking sunset over the ocean.