• Home
  • About Me
    • About Me
    • Yoga Journey
  • Work with Flo
  • Get in Touch
  • Disclaimer and Policies
No results
View all results
Yoga, Wine & Travel
  • Home
  • Travel
  • Popular Destinations
    • Hong Kong Travel Guides & Tips
    • Sri Lanka Travel Guides & Tips
    • India Travel Guides & Tips
    • Italy Travel Guides & Tips
    • Laos Travel Guides & Tips
    • Thailand Travel Guides & Tips
    • Turkey Travel Guides & Tips
    • Jordan Travel Guides & Tips
    • All Destinations
  • Yoga
  • Videos
Yoga, Wine & Travel
  • Home
  • Travel
  • Popular Destinations
    • Hong Kong Travel Guides & Tips
    • Sri Lanka Travel Guides & Tips
    • India Travel Guides & Tips
    • Italy Travel Guides & Tips
    • Laos Travel Guides & Tips
    • Thailand Travel Guides & Tips
    • Turkey Travel Guides & Tips
    • Jordan Travel Guides & Tips
    • All Destinations
  • Yoga
  • Videos
No results
View all results
Yoga, Wine & Travel
No results
View all results
Home Travel Responsible & Ethical Travel

An Epic Elephant Safari in Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka: What You Need to Know

Udawalawe is one of the best places to see elephants in Sri Lanka - elephant lovers must visit this excellent national park!

by Flo
September 10, 2017 - Updated on January 22, 2021
in Responsible & Ethical Travel, Travel
55
Elephants in Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka Elephant Wildlife Safari
Elephant herd in Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka with text overlay Baby elephant in Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka with text overlay Photo collage of wildlife safari in Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka with text overlay Wild Asian Elephant in Sri Lanka with text overlay Wild Asian Elephant in Sri Lanka with text overlay Elephant herd in Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka with text overlay Baby elephant in Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka with text overlay

If beautiful beaches, delicious food, rich culture and stunning landscape aren’t enough to convince you to hop on a plane to Sri Lanka, then take a look at the amazing wildlife that this little island in the Indian ocean offers. Despite its size, the country possesses an extremely high degree of biodiversity and is considered one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world. Going on a safari in Sri Lanka is one of the best things to add to your itinerary.

Love elephants and wondering where to see elephants in Sri Lanka? Go on a wildlife safari in Udawalawe National Park where hundreds of elephants roam free – read on for everything you need to know to help plan your Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka safari!

Elephant Safari in Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka

If you are visiting Sri Lanka (and especially the Southern Province), then chances are that you are weighing up between a safari in Yala National Park or Udawalawe National Park. Both are fantastic and within a few hours’ drive of each other, but Udawalawe is popular among those who want guaranteed elephant sightings; Udawalawe is also about a third of the size of Yala and typically less crowded.

Most importantly, Yala National Park closes for 6-8 weeks each year, typically from the beginning of September onwards – this means that all safaris in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka tend to be rerouted to Udawalawe National Park. Here’s what you need to know before your elephant safari in Udawalawe National Park!

Why you should visit Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is located in the south of Sri Lanka and is a popular destination for those hoping to spot wild elephants. It is quite possibly the best place in Sri Lanka to see elephants throughout the year as there are a few hundred elephants within the park, and you can sometimes witness a herd of females moving or bathing together in the wild during an Udawalawe National Park safari.

Elephants bathing in Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka

According to the World Animal Protection Organization’s Research Report on the conditions for elephants used in tourism in Asia, Sri Lanka has the highest density of wild Asian elephants worldwide: an estimated five to six thousand in the wild and 120 to 200 in captivity. I would argue that Sri Lanka is one of the top destinations in Asia if you want to see an elephant in the wild, as Sri Lanka has done a wonderful job of protecting its wildlife while also making it accessible to visitors.

Herd of female elephants during elephant Safari in Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka

There is no better place to observe an animal than in its natural habitat, and I would highly recommend visiting the national parks in Yala, Udawalawe, Kaudulla or Minneriya over visiting one of the elephant “orphanages” in Sri Lanka (with the exception of the Elephant Transit Home which returns elephants to the wild). If you’re interested in reading more about where to see elephants in Sri Lanka then click here.

From the WAP’s Research Report on the conditions for elephants used in tourism in Asia: “A true elephant-friendly venue is purely observational for visitors, where the safety of visitors and wellbeing of elephants is not affected by the need to constantly control the animals. The elephants would be managed in humane ways through the mahout who allows a maximum of freedom or through advanced ‘protected contact’ techniques.”

How to get to Udawalawe National Park

The best way to get to Udawalawe is by car. If you are traveling from Colombo to Udawalawe be prepared for a 4-5 hour car ride. The first time I visited Udawalawe National Park, I booked my safari the night before through my hotel, and the rate for a 3 hour safari was 4500 Sri Lankan Rupees (approximately US$30).

The second time I visited, I went as a day trip from Talalla Retreat and went with Niluka Safari. The 3 hour Udawalawe safari was just a smidge more than what my hotel charged – 5000 Sri Lankan Rupees.

In addition to the jeep charges you will have to pay an entrance fee to the park itself; as of August 2017 the rate was 4400 LKR / 1 person, 7000 LKR / 2 people, 9580 LKR / 3 people. The per-person fees continue to go down as the size of your group goes up. Tips are discretionary. I tipped my driver/spotter US$10 as I had an amazing time and he was incredibly knowledgeable about the animals and the park.

Safari Jeep and driver in Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka

There are plenty of Udawalawe National Park accommodation options: I booked myself into Eliyanth Udawalawe, a small hotel that offered incredible value for money. The rooms were spacious and clean with a private balcony overlooking the river, the safari jeep driver/spotter was professional and could spot an eagle a mile away, and the manager went out of his way to help me arrange all of my transportation to and from the hotel.

  • Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka Eliyanth Hotel
  • Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka Eliyanth Hotel

From my hotel it was a 30 minute car ride from door to door, and within 5 minutes of being inside the park we spotted a herd of 4 elephants! The one thing to note is that they only accept cash, but there are nearby ATMs that you can use. Click here to book your stay at Eliyanth Udawalawe or click here for some other accommodation options in Udawalawe!

Booking tip: Not 100% certain of your travel dates? Choose a hotel that offers a flexible cancellation policy on Booking.com – click here for more accommodation options and current rates in Udawalawe!

Where to stay if you’re planning a day trip to Udawalawe National Park

Sri Lanka Shangri La Hambantota Rooms

If you aren’t staying overnight in Udawalawe and only have time for a day trip to the national park, your best bet is to stay in the Southern Province – but get ready for a long day ahead of you as the drive to and from the park can be 2-3 hours long. However, the southern coast in Sri Lanka has beautiful stretches of beach and you have tons of options for places to stay!

Zephyr Talalla in Sri Lanka
Zephyr Talalla

Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa and Anantara Tangalle are excellent five star properties with amazing restaurants and service in this area. If you’re looking for something more low key, check out Talalla Retreat, the perfect place for surf and yoga or Zephyr Talalla, a beautiful boutique 4-bedroom beachfront villa serving up the best food & cocktails. All of these hotels are within 2-3 hours’ drive away from Udawalawe National Park.

The best time to visit Udawalawe National Park

Baby elephant in Udawalawe National Park in south Sri Lanka

Udawalawe is in a hot, semi-arid environment and the annual average temperature is about 32 degrees Celsius. The chance of witnessing a herd of Sri Lankan elephants is extremely high near rivers and the reservoir of Udawalawe, and this chance increases during the dry season when the elephants gather near bodies of water. The dry season of the region is between May and September.

However, don’t worry if you don’t time your trip for the dry season because your chances of seeing elephants during the rainy season are fairly high too and elephants can be seen all year round. During my second trip to Udawalawe I visited during April, and there were tons of baby elephants as mating season is during the wet season.

Elephants bathing during safari in Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka

Although you might see elephants on a morning Udawalawe safari (I’ve seen 30-40 during a 3 hour morning safari), you’re better off going on a 3-hour afternoon safari from 3 to approximately 6 pm as many elephants will venture out to the river for a bath and sip of water.

As I mentioned above, Yala National Park is closed to the public from early September to mid to late October each year, so if you are visiting southern Sri Lanka during this time you should head to Udawalawe National Park instead.

What to expect on a wildlife safari in Udawalawe National Park

Safarai jeeps in a national park during elephant safari in Sri Lanka

Once you get to the park, you’ll be driven to the ticket office where you need to pay the park entrance fee. If you don’t have any Sri Lankan Rupees on you the office also takes Visa or Mastercard payments. Occasionally you will have a driver and a separate spotter, who is tasked with keeping an eye out for birds, elephants, crocodiles and monkeys. In my case, my driver was the spotter and had 20/20 vision – it was incredible! He would point out faraway animals to me and sometimes it still took me a while to see what he saw, even through my 300 mm zoom lens.

The drive through the park can be bumpy and rough and it’s not uncommon for jeeps to be vying for the best spots when an animal is spotted. You are not allowed to drive up close to the animals or harass them, but I’m sorry to say that some drivers blatantly chased elephants through the park so their guests could get a better photo – don’t be that tourist!

Don’t encourage your driver to chase or corner wild animals! Click here for 15 things to avoid doing in Sri Lanka!

Bull elephant in Udawalawe National Park

During my time in Udawalawe National Park I saw a small herd of elephants as well as approximately a dozen single elephants (male). One of the most memorable moments of the safari was when we ventured away from the other jeeps and stumbled upon one lone male elephant. We watched him, silently, for approximately 20 minutes as he walked back and forth gathering leaves – he even reached up high for leaves from a tree!

  • Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka Elephant Wildlife Safari
  • Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka Elephant Wildlife Safari

In addition to the dozens of elephants you might also see kingfishers, crocodiles, eagles, buffalo, peacocks, deer and monkeys on an Udawalawe safari drive.

  • Crocodile in Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka
  • Peacock in Udawalawe National Park

What to bring on your Udawalawe safari

Wild bull elephant in Sri Lanka

Udawalawe National Park is an amazing destination for wildlife photography. Bring a camera and zoom lens (75 mm-300 mm or even more zoomed in if you have one), you’re unlikely to get any good shots using your smartphone.

Cash for the park entrance fee – bring Sri Lankan Rupees as they don’t accept US Dollars. They also accept Visa or Mastercard.

Bottled water (or even better, a reusable water bottle) as it does get very dry and hot in the area. Remember to take all your trash with you!

You shouldn’t need sunscreen as most jeeps are covered at all times – there is one spot where you’re allowed to step outside of the vehicle but that area is also shaded.

A hair tie or cap as the drive can get extremely dusty, I felt like I could crack my hair in half by the end of the safari.

Which national park is better? Udawalawe or Yala?

Elephants in Sri Lanka

As both national parks are in the Southern Province, many people find themselves debating whether to visit Udawalawe or Yala National Park – which safari in Sri Lanka you go on depends on several factors. I’ve been to both, and I can wholeheartedly say that they are different enough to warrant a visit to both.

If you only have time for 1, then you’ll have to decide what animals you’re hoping to see. If you’re desperate for a chance of spotting a leopard, then Yala National Park is your best bet as it boasts one of the highest leopard densities in the world.

Like all safaris though, a sighting is not guaranteed – I’ve been on several safaris in Yala and have yet to see a leopard. You are also likely to see a few elephants, though not as many as if you were to visit Udawalawe National Park as it is three times the size and animals are more spread out.

Wild buffalo in national park in Sri Lanka

Udawalawe does have leopards (an estimated 1 dozen or so) but the chances of spotting one are extremely rare. If you’re an elephant lover and want a guaranteed sighting of a wild elephant, then I would say head to Udawalawe National Park; in general, the number of people and jeeps in Udawalawe tends to be lower so the park is much less crowded.

The pricing at Udawalawe tends to be less than that of Yala National Park. It costs approximately 11,500 LKR (75 USD) for a safari for 2 at Udawalawe depending with which company you go with, whereas the pricing for a 2-person safari at Yala is closer to 23,000 LKR (150 USD) and upwards.

Wild elephant in Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka

Visiting Sri Lanka? You might also enjoy these guides:

  • Planning a trip to Yala National Park instead? Click here for my guide to going on a safari in Yala
  • Obsessed with elephants? Me too! Here are all the best places to see wild elephants in Sri Lanka
  • Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? Here are 12 things you should know before visiting Sri Lanka
  • Don’t miss my two week itinerary for the Pearl of the Indian Ocean or read this express one week Sri Lanka itinerary if you’re short on time
  • Southern Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Read this guide for more ideas on what to do in Sri Lanka’s deep south
  • Looking for more Sri Lanka travel tips and destination guides? Click here for everything you need to help plan your trip to Sri Lanka
  • Explore other ethical elephant orphanages, sanctuaries and national parks around the world here

Have you been to Udawalawe National Park or Sri Lanka? What did you think? Share your experience with me in the comments section below!

Pin this for later!

This article contains affiliate links. If you choose to book using these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my website by using these links, I only recommend products or services that I have personally used & hotels I enjoyed visiting.

Featured video music credit: Summer – Royalty Free Music from Bensound

Share this article!

  • Share
  • Pin
  • Tweet
  • Email
Tags: AsiaSri Lankatravel guide

Enjoyed reading this article? Subscribe to the mailing list!

* Unsubscribe at any time. Your e-mail address will only ever be used to send the occasional Yoga, Wine & Travel newsletter.

Previous Post

Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort and Spa: Beachfront Luxury Hotel in Southern Sri Lanka

Next Post

14 Things You Should Know Before You Travel to Italy

Related Posts

The King Room at The Hari in Hong Kong
Hotel Reviews

7 Tried-and-Tested Luxury and Boutique Hotels in Hong Kong

January 10, 2021 - Updated on January 11, 2021
Tai Long Wan Sai Kung drone photo
Travel

Tai Long Wan in Sai Kung: A Guide to Hong Kong’s Secret Beaches

October 13, 2020 - Updated on January 11, 2021
Drone shot of Hiriketiya Bay in Sri Lanka
Travel

An Insider’s Guide to Hiriketiya in Sri Lanka

August 31, 2020 - Updated on December 17, 2020
Hong Kong taxi and street art
Travel

Where to Go for the Best Street Art in Hong Kong

August 6, 2020 - Updated on September 2, 2020
Next Post
Cinque Terre Vernazza

14 Things You Should Know Before You Travel to Italy

Prae Roup in Angkor Siem Reap

Cambodia Travel Guide: 5 Lesser-Known and Underrated Temples in Siem Reap That You Shouldn't Skip

Elephant Transit Home Udawalawe Sri Lanka

Visiting Orphaned Baby Elephants at the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe, Sri Lanka

Comments 55

  1. Bonita says:
    3 years ago

    Nothing excites me more than checking out elephants in their wild habitat. Matter of fact, had it not been because of your blog post, I would have assumed that elephant in Sri-Lanka are mostly in captivity and mainly used to entertain tourists.

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      On the contrary! Sri Lanka has done a great job of protecting their national parks and wildlife. Unfortunately there ARE elephants in captivity in Sri Lanka as they are used for religious festivals, but hopefully one day that will change.

      Reply
  2. My Travelogue by Bhushavali says:
    3 years ago

    I’m planning Srilanka for next year. The little island is indeed filled with so much of beauty both in nature and heritage! Those elephants look so adorable! Eliyanth hotel looks decent, esp with the river view balcony, its just perfect!

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      Thanks for checking this out! If you’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka then this might help: https://www.yogawinetravel.com/see-sri-lanka-a-two-week-itinerary-for-the-pearl-of-the-indian-ocean/

      Reply
  3. Gabby says:
    3 years ago

    beautiful pictures and what a great experience. I had no idea Sri Lanka has the highest concentration of elephants in all of Asia… it is still high on my list to visit so I hope to also do an elephant safari. Experiencing wildlife is always so incredible on vacation

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      There are so many incredible national parks – Yala, Udawalawe, Minneriya, Kaudulla and more. You’ll love it!

      Reply
  4. Farah Al Zadjaly says:
    3 years ago

    Sri Lanka is definitely on my bucket list to visit next year. Thank you so much for this as it gives me ideas to visit lovely places like this.

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      Hope you get to visit soon! It’s an amazing country.

      Reply
  5. Mina says:
    3 years ago

    Oh my God, I love elephants! Your pictures are gorgeous, lucky you for such a great experience. And that safari camp hotel looks so nice. Thank you for the great and very informative blog post

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      Thanks for taking the time to read this, Mina!

      Reply
  6. Ana Ro says:
    3 years ago

    Quite amazing! I have never been to a safari, and it seems like such an experience! Thanks for the post, it is very informative.

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      It’s a lot of driving around on bumpy roads, but when you do spot an animal in its natural habitat it’s pretty darn breathtaking!

      Reply
  7. Lou says:
    3 years ago

    How wonderful. I love that idea of seeing the animals in their natural habitat rather than in enclosures

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      That’s what I’m all about – hopefully one day there will be none in captivity!

      Reply
  8. Pete says:
    3 years ago

    Are teh elephants tame at all? There is not one single image of a bull elephant charging at you, ready to tear you to pieces!

    Good solid advice. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      They don’t tend to charge towards humans unless you’re aggravating them – have you seen that in the past?

      Reply
  9. Julz says:
    3 years ago

    I went a couple of years ago and loved it – my kids thought it was just amazing! I just love Sri Lanka

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      I can imagine that this would be an incredible experience for kids!

      Reply
  10. Wendy says:
    3 years ago

    Sri Lanka is on my list. As a real safari lover (I never thought of making a safari in Sri Lanka, I always look for African destinations), I will definitly keep this one in mind.

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      There are some incredible safari opportunities in India as well – there are Asian lions, tigers and leopards.

      Reply
  11. Daniela says:
    3 years ago

    I have never been to a safari, but it seems so exciting. WOuld have never thought of Sri Lanka as a safari destination.

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      There are tons of national parks scattered around Sri Lanka – it’s amazing!

      Reply
  12. Aubrie Engman says:
    3 years ago

    Wow this looks like a dream come true!! Sri Lanka is really high on my list and I have been researching different national parks and safaris so this is so so helpful! That place you stayed looked so dreamy too!

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      The accommodation was super basic but the rooms are clean and spacious. The best thing is that they’re super close to the national park entrance!

      Reply
  13. Lexi says:
    3 years ago

    I had no idea Sri Lanka was such an elephant hot spot! I’m definitely going to have to add this to the bucket list and save this post. I love how organized and detailed everything was, I could definitely plan an awesome trip with this information! Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      I hope you get to go on a safari in Sri Lanka soon!

      Reply
  14. Anthony Jury says:
    3 years ago

    That looks like a stunner of an Elephant safari and whem i finally reach Sri Lanka, I have to put it on the list because it truly looks magnificent to see these wild elephants in the fleah.
    The adventure looks a treat by judging by the pictures and there even seems to he decent accommodation. Gteat post plus pics.

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      Thanks for checking this out, Anthony! I hope you find it helpful in planning your safari experience in Sri Lanka.

      Reply
  15. Oursweetadventures says:
    3 years ago

    The parks look very nice and it is incredible that, that many elephants can be found in one place. To be able to see all of these animals in one place roaming around is remarkable. This makes me excited for our safari in Africa in 2 weeks.

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      Enjoy your African safari! We’re hoping to visit SA next year 🙂

      Reply
  16. Paula - Gone with the Wine says:
    3 years ago

    Wow! This looks amazing. This is exactly how I would like to see the elephants; where they roam free in the nature and aren’t exploited. I also always wanted to visit Sri Lanka. It looks beautiful.

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      They’re so happy and free in the wild – it really is a sight to behold!

      Reply
  17. Ellie Cleary says:
    3 years ago

    Beautiful post and experience – great that focus is put on the wellbeing and care of the elephants, and that elephants can be observed in their natural habitat without interference from tourists – just as it should be! I visited Kaudulla national park back in 2015 which was pretty good – it was a safari style drive and we got to see elephants gathering around water hills at sunset. Magnificent!

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      Kaudulla is great for elephant spotting as well – we were just there for “The Gathering” and I’m hoping to write that up soon!

      Reply
  18. Janine beynon says:
    3 years ago

    I love elephants!! This is a great post and your photos are amazing! I would love to go on a safari one day and this one looks perfect!

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      They are such incredible, beautiful, majestic creatures!

      Reply
  19. James says:
    3 years ago

    I went on this exact tour when I was in Sri Lanka. In Udawalawe National Park I went searching for animals and was lucky like you to see wild elephants. I also had lovely weather like you which meant for amazing photography.

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      So much sunshine and no haze – perfect safari day!

      Reply
  20. Frances says:
    3 years ago

    This looks like a much better alternative to visiting one of the Orphanages – so sad the treatment of Elephants across asia!

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      A lot of work needs to be done. Sri Lanka has done a fantastic job protecting their wildlife – hopefully one day there will be 0 elephants in captivity!

      Reply
  21. Samantha Sparrow says:
    3 years ago

    Udawalawe National Park sounds like utter perfection. I love all animals, but elephants hold a special place in my heart. They are so beautiful and majestic and I would love to watch them in their beautiful natural habitat. One ofr my bucket list I think!

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      I hope you get to visit one of Sri Lanka’s many national parks soon, Sam!

      Reply
  22. Madhurima Maiti says:
    3 years ago

    I love to see elephants and these are such wonderful wildlife photographs! Enjoyed reading the post. Thanks 🙂

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      Thank you so much for taking the time to read this Madhurima!

      Reply
  23. Izzy says:
    3 years ago

    What a comprehensive overview of Udawalawe National Park! I know Sri Lanka was a prime spot for wildlife, specifically elephant watching and I cannot thank you enough for promoting mindful values in your travel posts! I hate the rampant animal abuse that tourists participate all for the sake of a perfect picture! Great trips and if it were me, I’ll take Udawalawe over Yala any day!

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, Izzy! My hope is that the issue is one of a lack of awareness, rather than choosing to contribute towards animal abuse. Hopefully one day everyone knows the impact of their travel decisions!

      Reply
  24. GT says:
    3 years ago

    Hi

    We are planning to do a safari in Udawalawe, and one in Wilpattu. Do you believe that 3 hours is enough for Udawalawe, or should we plan for a 6 hour visit? We would start very early in the morning (6h00 am).

    Than you from Canada!

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      3 years ago

      Hi there, my understanding is that you have to exit the park after 3 hours, and re-enter in the afternoon. I would recommend that you do 2 x 3 hour safaris in Udawalawe rather than a 6 hour safari, especially if you’re hoping to spend some time observing the elephants. Have a great time!

      Reply
  25. Udawalawe National Park says:
    2 years ago

    Udawalawe national park is an absolute must for Sri Lanka visitors. The experience felt once in a lifetime; elephants (even as young as two months old!) roamed the land along with beautiful birds, reptiles and monkeys.

    Reply
  26. Silvi says:
    2 years ago

    Hi!

    Thanks so much for the post. There will be 4 of us visiting next month and I think we will take your advice and stay at a camp near the park entrance. I definitely think that we should stay there the night before we safari, but would you suggest staying there again after, or would it be reasonable to head to Tangalle after the afternoon safari?

    Just curious what the day looks like if we do 2×3 hour safaris. Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      2 years ago

      Hi Silvi,

      Thanks for taking the time to read this. The drive time from Udawalawe to Tangalle isn’t long, and the hotels by the coast are probably a tad nicer. I’d recommend getting some rest between the morning and afternoon game drives, and then just leaving Udawalawe in the evening. You should also plan on visiting the Elephant Transit Home to observe one of the feeding sessions – the 12 PM one would probably work best for your schedule! https://www.yogawinetravel.com/visiting-orphaned-baby-elephants-at-the-elephant-transit-home-in-udawalawe-sri-lanka/

      Reply
  27. Prerna singh says:
    1 year ago

    Hi there
    Can you recommend us the safari companies for uluwalawe.
    I asked one agent who is taking 75USD per person with pick up and drop( from Jetwing Yala) , tickets, jeep and insurance.
    Is this fine or is he charging us more

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      1 year ago

      Hi Prerna, that sounds about right because you are asking for pick up and drop off from Yala, which is 2 hours away from Udawalawe. It costs approximately 11,500 LKR (75 USD) for a safari for 2 at Udawalawe. I have used Niluka Safari in the past and were happy with their jeeps/service.

      Reply
  28. Jyoti basu says:
    1 year ago

    Great post with great pics. I was in Sri Lanka. In Udawalawe National Park I went searching for animals and was lucky like you to see wild elephants. Thanks for sharing this information.

    Reply
    • Flo says:
      1 year ago

      Hi Jyoti, so glad to hear that you found this article helpful and that you enjoyed your time in Udawalawe!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello!

Hi! My name is Flo. I'm a wanderlusting yogi who won’t say no to a good white sangria. I believe that travel and yoga are important avenues to experience new stories, lifestyles, culture and views - join me on Yoga, Wine & Travel as I share destination & travel guides, tips and hacks as well as stories from my Yoga journey! Read more about me and Yoga, Wine & Travel here.

Latest Articles

The King Room at The Hari in Hong Kong

7 Tried-and-Tested Luxury and Boutique Hotels in Hong Kong

January 10, 2021 - Updated on January 11, 2021
Tai Long Wan Sai Kung drone photo

Tai Long Wan in Sai Kung: A Guide to Hong Kong’s Secret Beaches

October 13, 2020 - Updated on January 11, 2021
Drone shot of Hiriketiya Bay in Sri Lanka

An Insider’s Guide to Hiriketiya in Sri Lanka

August 31, 2020 - Updated on December 17, 2020

Yoga, Wine & Travel

In search of travel and yoga inspiration? Yoga, Wine & Travel is your resource for practical travel tips, detailed destination guides, insightful Yoga advice and honest reviews for independent travelers who love luxury, boutique and beyond-the-ordinary travel experiences. Let me help you spend less time on planning your trip and more time on experiencing the journey!

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER AND NEVER MISS AN ARTICLE

Explore more

Destination Guides

Everything Yoga

Travel Tips

Hotel Reviews

Travel Videos

About

About Flo

Yoga Journey

Work With Me

Get in Touch

Home

© 2021 Yoga, Wine & Travel. Disclaimer and Website Policies.

Exclusive Member of Mediavine Travel

No results
View all results
  • Home
  • Travel
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel Tips
  • Popular Destinations
    • Hong Kong Travel Guides & Tips
    • Italy Travel Guides & Tips
    • India Travel Guides & Tips
    • Sri Lanka Travel Guides & Tips
    • Laos Travel Guides & Tips
    • Thailand Travel Guides & Tips
    • Turkey Travel Guides & Tips
    • Jordan Travel Guides & Tips
  • Yoga
    • All Yoga Articles
    • Yoga Studios Around the World
  • About
    • About Me
    • Yoga Journey
  • Work with Flo
  • Get in Touch

© 2021 Yoga, Wine & Travel. Disclaimer and Website Policies.