Safari in Udawalawe

elephants are attracted by the large lake

Udawalawe National Park is located in southcentral Sri Lanka.

Extending over 308 sq km (118 sq mi), this is a relatively small reserve, although it is (just about) connected to a network of other nearby reserves, allowing for the movement of wildlife across a much greater area.

Lying in the transition zone between the forested central mountains and the coastal plains, the landscape is dominated by undulating plains, centred on the important Udawalawe Reservoir, but with various ranges of hills, especially to the north.

The reserve is home to a good range of wildlife, with common sightings including Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan sambar deers, Sri Lankan axis deers, Indian muntjac deers, Sri Lankan spotted chevrotains, wild boars and water buffalos. Less frequent sightings include rusty-spotted cats, fishing cats, Sri Lankan leopards, Sri Lankan sloth bears, golden jackals, Asian palm civets, golden palm civets, toque macaque monkeys, tufted grey langur monkeys and Indian hares.

The main reason to visit the reserve is to view elephants, which are attracted here in large numbers due to the presence of the reservoir. There are thought to be around 250 individuals resident in the reserve.

Notably these elephants are usually visible throughout the day, which makes it possible for camps to break with the usual early morning and late afternoon safari routine. Instead guests can sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast, before heading out into the reserve. For this reason Udawalawe tends to be popular amongst rather less committed safari travellers.

There is also a baby elephant orphanage in the area, which is sometimes open to visitors.

Udawalawe is also a good bird-watching location, with endemics including Sri Lankan spurfowls, red-faced malkohas, Sri Lankan grey hornbills, brown-capped babblers and Sri Lanka junglefowls.

The best time of year to visit the Udawalawe area is generally considered to be during the Jan-Mar southwest dry season.

Temperatures are more or less constant year round, with daytime temperatures around 25C/77F, with the nighttime low temperatures holding up at a potentially uncomfortable 20C/68F.

The main issue is rainfall, which is highest during Oct-Dec and with a secondary peak Mar-May. These periods are usually best avoided, although lower visitors numbers are some compensation.

Where to stay

In all honesty, Udawalawe does not feature very highly amongst our favourite reserves in Sri Lanka. The safari experience is rather soft and one-dimensional and the park location means that it attracts a good deal of transient vehicle traffic.

We presently only recommend one property in the area, Mahoora Udawalawe Camp, which tries harder than most to turn it into a decent experience, notably with their modest night vehicle safaris.

a modest tented camp which offers night vehicle safari