National park · Sri Lanka
Udawalawe National Park
Visit Udawalawe for a half‑day jeep safari (6 h) early morning (≈05:30) for Rs 3 000–5 000 entry plus driver; avoid the midday heat and crowds by arriving before 07:00.Visit Udawalawe for a half‑day jeep safari (6 h) early morning (≈5:30 AM) for Rs 3 000–5 000 entry plus driver; avoid the midday heat and crowds by arriving before 7:00 AM.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
308 km² (119 sq mi)119 sq mi (308 km²)
approximate
Established
1972
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Sri Lanka ↗Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation only on the official government ETA site; lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules and fees change.
- Sri Lanka ↗At temples cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue; Buddha images on clothes or tattoos cause offence.
- Sri Lanka ↗Carry Sri Lankan rupees in small notes; tuk-tuks, buses and small shops are cash-only, and ATMs are fewer outside the cities.
- Uva ↗Reserved seats on the Main Line sell out days ahead in season; unreserved carriages are cheaper but standing.
- Uva ↗Hill roads are slow and winding; a 30 km hop can take over an hour. Build in margin.
At a glance
- Country
- Sri Lanka
- Area
- 308 km² (119 sq mi)119 sq mi (308 km²)
- Approximately 308.2 km², covering flat plains, grasslands and the Udawalawe reservoir (source: Wikivoyage).
- Established
- 1972
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- Not needed
Udawalawe National Park protects the wildlife displaced by the Udawalawe reservoir; its open savannah and water bodies make it the most accessible Sri Lankan park for elephant sightings via short jeep safaris.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1972.
Size and age
308 km² (119 sq mi)119 sq mi (308 km²) · national park since 1972
Approximately 308.2 km², covering flat plains, grasslands and the Udawalawe reservoir (source: Wikivoyage).
Why go
- Large wild elephant herds roam the open plains, easy to see on a jeep safari.
- Flat terrain and 4WD tracks make wildlife spotting accessible for all fitness levels.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanDry but hotter; early morning best.
- FebCooler, fewer tourists.
- MarComfortable temps, good wildlife activity.
- AprDry, pleasant.
- MayWarm, still good visibility.
- JunStart of wet season, still fine.
- JulRainy but wildlife active.
- AugMore rain, roads can be muddy.
- SepRain continues, visibility lower.
- OctWet season tail, occasional storms.
- NovIncreasing rain.
- DecCooler, but wetter.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ElephantsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Deer, buffalo, golden jackalAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| European roller, black‑necked storkMar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Mugger crocodile (evening)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Colombo
Bus to Embilipitiya (≈3.5 h, Rs 175‑350) then local bus or taxi to Udawalawe (≈1 h, Rs 3 500‑5 300).
4.5‑5 h
Open the page →
From Ella
Route 31‑1 to Thanamalwila (≈1.5‑2 h), then route 98 to Udawalawe (≈1‑1.5 h).
≈3 h
Open the page →
From Southern coast (e.g., Galle)
Train to Beliatta, then taxi (≈1 h, Rs 10 000) or bus via Nonagama to Udawalawe junction.
≈4‑5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Udawalawe entrance | Ticket office, small shop, parking for jeeps. | Open daily; entry fee required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, centred on the main entrance.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee (foreign visitor) | LKR 3,000–5,000 | person | Calculated from USD $15 + service charge $8 + vehicle fee Rs 250 + 8 % VAT (2020 rates). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Stay in vehicle
- All wildlife viewing must be from the jeep; exiting is prohibited.
- No feeding
- Feeding animals is banned to protect health and behavior.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no fires allowed.
Where to stay
Near the park
Udawalawe town
Guesthouses and hotels ranging from budget to upscale; best base for early safari start.
Safety
Vehicle collisions with wildlife medium
Heat and dehydration low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Park is reachable only by vehicle; the entrance area has a short walk from parking.
- Jeep tracks are rough; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Bring biodegradable food packaging; avoid single‑use plastics.
- Do not purchase souvenirs made from wildlife parts.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Udawalawe National Park?
Rs 3 000–5 000 per foreign visitor (covers entry, service charge and VAT).
What are the best hikes in Udawalawe National Park?
There are no formal hiking trails; wildlife viewing is done via jeep safaris (half‑day or full‑day).
When is the best time to visit Udawalawe National Park?
February to July offers cooler, drier conditions and fewer crowds; early mornings give the best animal sightings.
Do I need a permit to enter?
No separate permit is required; just pay the entrance fee and show your passport if asked.
Can I stay inside the park?
Camping inside the park is not allowed; stay in Udawalawe town nearby.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go