Wildlife & Nature
Udawalawe
Where the wild still roams free.
Why Visit
Open grassland around a large reservoir supports one of the island's most reliable populations of wild elephants.
Open grasslands and shimmering reservoirs make Udawalawe one of the island's most rewarding places to encounter wild elephants in their natural home.
History
Udawalawe National Park was established in 1972, primarily to protect the catchment area around the newly built Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, completed that same year as part of a broader national push after independence to expand irrigation and hydropower across the dry zone. Clearing land for the reservoir and the agricultural settlements that followed displaced elephants from parts of their traditional range, and many resettled in the park's open grassland, which — created partly by that same land clearance — turned out to suit them well, giving Udawalawe one of the densest and most visible elephant populations in the country. The Elephant Transit Home, opened within the park in 1995, was set up specifically to rehabilitate orphaned or injured calves with as little human contact as possible, so they can be released back into wild herds rather than becoming dependent on people, and its released elephants continue to be tracked and studied within the park.
Things to Do
- Safari the grasslands for elephant herds
- Watch feeding time at the Elephant Transit Home
- Birdwatch along the reservoir
- Spot water buffalo and deer on the open grassland
- Photograph the Walawe reservoir at sunset
- Look for raptors and other birds of prey
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Udawalawe known for?
Open grassland around a large reservoir supports one of the island's most reliable populations of wild elephants.
When is the best time to visit Udawalawe?
The best time to visit Udawalawe is May to September, when dry months draw wildlife toward water.
What can you do in Udawalawe?
Popular things to do in Udawalawe include safari the grasslands for elephant herds, watch feeding time at the Elephant Transit Home and birdwatch along the reservoir.
Where is Udawalawe located in Sri Lanka?
Udawalawe is located in Wildlife & Nature, Sri Lanka.
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