Imagine a vast open plain where tightly-knit elephant families roam freely beneath the warm Sri Lankan sun. Udawalawe is a sanctuary of wide horizons and intimate wildlife moments, where the gentle rumble of elephant herds and the flutter of endemic birds fill the air. Here, grasslands, abandoned teak plantations, and riverine forests come alive with vibrant life, offering every visitor a front-row seat to the unfolding drama of the wild, an unforgettable journey into the heart of Sri Lanka’s gentle giants.
A Landscape of Giants and Grasslands
Declared a national park in 1972, Udawalawe was established to provide refuge for displaced wildlife during the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir. Today, it spans over 300 square kilometers of dry plains, grassland, and forest that stretch between Sri Lanka’s wet and dry zones, creating a transition ecosystem teeming with biodiversity.
The heart of the park is its elephants. Majestic, intelligent, and fiercely familial, elephant herds here are often seen in the open, moving in closely bonded matriarchal groups across the plains or bathing in the reservoir’s shallows. The openness of the landscape allows for uninterrupted sightings, a rarity in more densely vegetated parks.
Udawalawe’s blend of habitats also attracts a rich variety of birdlife and mammals. It lacks the dense canopy of a rainforest or the rugged rockscapes of Yala, but its beauty lies in its clarity, its uninterrupted horizons, gentle light, and the soft shimmer of grasses under the sun. For those seeking a serene but deeply moving encounter with Sri Lanka’s wild, Udawalawe offers just that.
What to Expect in Udawalawe National Park
Elephants are the undeniable highlight, with nearly guaranteed sightings of herds that include matriarchs, juveniles, and playful calves. Unlike more forested parks, Udawalawe’s open terrain offers excellent visibility, allowing visitors to observe elephant behaviour in great detail.
Spotted Deer, Sambar, Wild Pigs, Ruddy Mongooses, and troops of Hanuman Langurs and Toque Macaques are commonly seen. Though leopards do roam these lands, sightings are extremely rare. Birdwatchers will be rewarded with endemic species like the Ceylon Junglefowl, Ceylon Spurfowl, and Ceylon Grey Hornbill, alongside dry zone regulars like Blue-faced and Sirkeer Malkohas.
Riverine areas attract wildlife in the early mornings and evenings, with the reservoir providing dramatic sunset backdrops. Whether on a short half-day drive or a full-day exploration, Udawalawe delivers raw, open beauty and unforgettable elephant encounters.
