Tour Overview
If you want to see elephants in Sri Lanka, Udawalawe National Park is your best bet! This incredible day tour takes you to one of Asia’s finest wildlife destinations, famous for its huge elephant herds that roam freely across open grasslands. Unlike dense jungle parks, Udawalawe’s savanna-like terrain offers excellent visibility, making it perfect for wildlife photography and guaranteed elephant sightings.
Located in the southern part of Sri Lanka, Udawalawe was created as a sanctuary for wildlife displaced by the Udawalawe Reservoir. Today, it’s home to over 500 elephants, along with water buffalo, crocodiles, deer, and numerous bird species. The park’s landscape resembles African savannas, with scattered trees, grasslands, and the beautiful reservoir creating a stunning backdrop.
This tour is ideal for families, wildlife enthusiasts, and photographers. The elephant transit home visit adds a heartwarming element to your safari, where you’ll see baby elephants being cared for before their release into the wild. Our experienced naturalist guides ensure you don’t miss any action while sharing fascinating insights about Sri Lankan wildlife and conservation efforts.
What Makes This Tour Special
- Highest elephant concentration in Sri Lanka
- Open terrain for excellent wildlife viewing
- Visit Elephant Transit Home
- Less crowded than Yala National Park
- Great for families with children
- Professional naturalist guide included
- Comfortable safari jeep with window seats
Tour Plan with Starting Time
06:00 AM – Pickup from Your Hotel
Early morning pickup ensures you arrive at the park when animals are most active. Enjoy the scenic drive through rural Sri Lankan countryside.
08:30 AM – Elephant Transit Home Visit (Duration: 45 minutes)
Before entering the park, visit the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home. This rehabilitation center cares for orphaned elephant calves. Watch feeding time (usually at 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM, and 6 PM) when adorable baby elephants are bottle-fed with milk. Learn about the center’s mission to release elephants back into the wild. This is an incredible photo opportunity and a touching experience that highlights Sri Lanka’s conservation efforts.
09:30 AM – Enter Udawalawe National Park
Transfer to a private 4×4 safari jeep with expert tracker and naturalist guide.
10:00 AM – Udawalawe Safari (Duration: 3-4 hours)
Your safari adventure begins across 30,821 hectares of diverse habitat. The park’s relatively flat terrain and sparse vegetation provide excellent wildlife viewing conditions.
What You’ll See:
- Elephant Herds – Groups of 10-50 elephants are common, often with playful babies
- Water Buffalo – Large herds grazing in grasslands
- Spotted Deer – Graceful and abundant throughout the park
- Wild Boar – Often seen near water sources
- Crocodiles – Basking near the reservoir
- Birds – Over 210 species including eagles, peacocks, and hornbills
- Occasional Leopards – Rare but present in the park
Your guide takes you to the best viewing spots including the reservoir shores, grassland plains, and rocky outcrops. Multiple photo stops are included. Watch elephants bathing, mothers with babies, and bulls in must. The open landscape creates spectacular photography opportunities.
01:30 PM – Exit Park & Lunch
Enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan lunch at a local restaurant with views of the surrounding countryside.
03:00 PM – Return Journey
Relaxing drive back to the south coast with comfort stops.
05:30 PM – Drop at Your Hotel
Arrive back refreshed with amazing elephant memories.
Pickup & Drop Location
Pickup:
Your hotel or accommodation in Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Galle, Mirissa, Tangalle, or any south coast location. Pickups from Bentota, Kalutara, or Colombo can be arranged (additional charges apply).
Drop:
Return to your hotel or any requested location along your route.
Note: Udawalawe is approximately 2.5-3 hours from Hikkaduwa, so this is a full day tour with significant travel time. The incredible elephant sightings make it absolutely worthwhile!
Photo Tips:
Bring a camera with good zoom capabilities. The open terrain allows for stunning landscape shots with wildlife. Morning and late afternoon light is best. Dust can be minimal compared to other parks, but protect your equipment.
Important Information:
- Elephant sightings are virtually guaranteed (99% success rate)
- Wear comfortable safari clothing in neutral colors
- Bring hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
- Camera with zoom lens highly recommended
- Park entrance fees included
- Private safari jeep included
- Lunch included
- Elephant Transit Home entrance included
- Park can be hot during midday – bring water
- Comfortable shoes for walking at Transit Home
- Children love this tour – very family-friendly