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National park · Sri Lanka

Kaudulla National Park

Enter Kaudulla for a half‑day elephant safari (Rs 1 500–2 000 per adult) and walk the 5 km (3.1 mi) Elephant Trail early morning; avoid the heat by visiting in the dry season (Apr–Oct).

Not field-verified
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

Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
More
Map to the park
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Directions
From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

220 km² (85 sq mi)

approximate

Established

1990

Best months

Apr–Jun

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 8
  • 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.
  • North Central Province ↗Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa charge separate foreign-visitor tickets; buy at the site entrance, keep the ticket — it is checked at individual monuments.
  • North Central Province ↗Cover shoulders and knees at stupas and temples; remove shoes and hats before sacred areas. Some sites ask you to walk clockwise around a stupa.
  • North Central Province ↗Minneriya and Kaudulla are seasonal: the herds move between parks, so ask locally which one is holding elephants that week.

At a glance

Country
Sri Lanka
Area
220 km² (85 sq mi)
Approximate; official figure not published (check).
Established
1990
Best months
Apr–Jun
Permits
For some areas
Base
Anuradhapura

Kaudulla National Park, established in 1990, spans about 220 km² of dry‑zone forest and grassland in North Central Province. It is famed for large elephant herds that move between Kaudulla and Minneriya, offering frequent sightings, plus a variety of other mammals, birds and reptiles. The park’s short, marked Elephant Trail provides a self‑guided walk, while guided safaris give access to the wider Minneriya corridor.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 1990.

Size and age

220 km² (85 sq mi) · national park since 1990

Approximate; official figure not published (check).

This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Anuradhapura.

Why go

  • Elephant herds move between Kaudulla and Minneriya, offering frequent sightings.
  • A network of short trails lets you see deer, leopards and a variety of birds.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanGo
  2. FebGo
  3. MarGo
  4. AprBest
  5. MayBest
  6. JunBest
  7. JulCaution
  8. AugCaution
  9. SepCaution
  10. OctGo
  11. NovGo
  12. DecGo
  • JanCool, dry; good for early walks
  • FebCool, dry; elephants active
  • MarDry, warm; good visibility
  • AprStart of dry season, low rain
  • MayDry, warm; peak elephant activity
  • JunDry, hot; fewer crowds
  • JulNorth‑east monsoon may bring showers
  • AugPossible rain, but still many sightings
  • SepRainy chances increase
  • OctDry period returns
  • NovCool, less rain
  • DecCool, dry

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Kaudulla National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Elephants (large herds)All yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Sri Lankan sambar deer, axis deer, chevrotainAll yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Leopard, sloth bearAll yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
160 bird species, including waterfowlMar–Sepnonoyesyesyesyesyesyesyesnonono

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

Private car or bus to Anuradhapura (≈5 h), then 30 min drive to the park gate.

5–6 h

Open the page →

From Sigiriya

Taxi or hired car directly to the gate.

≈1 h

Open the page →

From Polonnaruwa

Local bus to the park entrance or hire a tuk‑tuk.

≈45 min

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Kaudulla National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Main gate areaVisitor centre, ticket office and short safari launch point.Open with entry ticket.
Elephant Trail5 km (3.1 mi) loop with viewing platforms, suitable for self‑guided walks.Open; no guide required.
Minneriya corridorExtended area where elephants move between parks; accessible only on guided safari.Guide required.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 3 approximate points in Kaudulla National Park, north up123
Coordinates from park gate; other points approximate.
  1. 1Kaudulla Gate · Gate≈8.136, 80.879Map ↗
  2. 2Elephant Trail Viewpoint · Viewpoint≈8.150, 80.885Map ↗
  3. 3Habarana Town · Town≈8.028, 80.750Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

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 from park gate; other points approximate.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

WildlifeEasy2–3 hElephant SafariBest in late afternoon; bring binoculars and water.
TrailsEasy1.5–2 hElephant Trail walkMarked path with occasional viewpoints; suitable for families.
WildlifeModerate2 hBirdwatching circuitSpot waterfowl and forest species; early morning gives best activity.

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

LKR ranges · check
Fees for Kaudulla National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entry (adult)LKR 1,500–2,000person2026 estimate; official fee not published (check).
Park entry (child)LKR 750–1,000person—

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry permit or guide

Ticket at the park gate; pay on arrival.

What would our group pay?

from the fee rows above · estimates

People

2

Nights or days

1
  • LKR 1,500–2,000
  • LKR 750–1,000

Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.

A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Guides
Required for any safari that leaves the main gate area or enters the Minneriya corridor.
Camping
Not allowed inside the park; stay in nearby towns or designated campsites outside the boundary.
Fires
Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking facilities only.
Litter
Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.

Where to stay

Near the park

Habarana

Mid‑range hotels and guesthouses 15 km (9.3 mi) from the gate.

Near the park

Polonnaruwa town

Budget lodgings and historic sites within a short drive.

Safety

Heat medium

Carry water, wear a hat and start walks early in the day.

Elephant proximity high

Stay on marked paths, keep a safe distance, and follow guide instructions.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

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

  • Main gate area reachable by car; short walks are level.
  • Elephant Trail has some uneven sections; not wheelchair‑friendly.

Visiting lightly

  • Support lodgings that use solar power and recycle waste.
  • Do not feed wildlife; keep a safe distance.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Kaudulla National Park?

Entry is Rs 1 500–2 000 per adult and Rs 750–1 000 per child; exact rates may vary, so confirm at the gate.

What are the best hikes in Kaudulla National Park?

The 5 km Elephant Trail is the main self‑guided hike; for longer wildlife spotting you can join a guided safari into the Minneriya corridor.

When is the best time to visit Kaudulla National Park?

The dry season (April – October) offers clear roads and good wildlife visibility, especially in the late afternoon.

Can I see elephants without a guide?

Yes, elephants often appear on the Elephant Trail, but guided safaris increase chances of sightings and access to the corridor.

Is camping allowed inside Kaudulla?

No, camping is prohibited; stay in nearby towns such as Habarana or Polonnaruwa.

Related

North Central Province travel guide Sri Lanka travel guide Best time to visit Sri Lanka

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Show the detailsHide

Sources

Ask about Kaudulla National Park

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