Udawalawe National Park

The story

Centred on the vast Udawalawe reservoir, this open savannah park is the most reliable place on earth to see wild Asian elephants — herds of 20 to 50 are common, and roughly 500 to 800 elephants roam the reserve year-round. The park also protects water buffalo, sambar deer, crocodiles, and over 180 bird species, all against a dramatic backdrop of the southern hill country escarpment.

Highlights

• Wild Asian elephant herds year-round
• Elephant Transit Home orphan feeding
• Open savannah and reservoir landscape
• Excellent raptor and waterbird sightings

Things to do here

1. 1Half-day 4x4 safari to see wild elephant herds
2. 2Watch orphaned calves being bottle-fed at the Elephant Transit Home (9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm)
3. 3Birdwatching along the Udawalawe reservoir
4. 4Sunset drive to the tank shore for herds coming to drink
5. 5Visit the Udawalawe Dam and viewpoint
6. 6Combine with a village lunch and river-tubing side trip