Call us anytime +94 76 220 0450
TA Enquire Now
A herd of wild elephants near the water in Udawalawe National Park
Private Wildlife Safari · Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe Elephant Safari

Wild elephants in the open, all year round — the easiest and most family-friendly safari in Sri Lanka, with a visit to see orphaned calves at feeding time.

See Safari Options Enquire on WhatsApp
Home / Sri Lanka Tours / Udawalawe Elephant Safari
DurationHalf day / Full day
StartsUdawalawe hotels
JeepPrivate, up to 6 guests
Good ForFamilies & first safaris
SeasonAll year
Overview

Asia's Easiest Place to See Wild Elephants

Udawalawe National Park surrounds a large reservoir on the edge of the southern hills. Its open grassland and low scrub make wild elephants easy to see — herds of mothers, babies and young bulls feed in the open, often close to the jeep tracks.

Because the landscape is so open, Udawalawe is ideal for a first safari and for children. Add a stop at the Elephant Transit Home, where young orphaned elephants come in for their milk feed before being returned to the wild.

A wild elephant and her calf feeding on green grass
Route

Journey Summary

Udawalawe → National Park Gate → Reservoir & Grasslands → Elephant Transit Home → Udawalawe

Udawalawe Yala Ella Mirissa
Wildlife to Look For

What You'll See in Udawalawe

Elephants are seen on almost every safari here. The rest depends on luck, season and time of day.

An elephant mother and calf in Udawalawe 01
The Main Event

Wild Elephant Herds

Around the reservoir and grassland, family herds feed, play and bathe. Seeing tiny calves stay close to their mothers is a highlight for many guests.

  • Seen on nearly every drive, all year
  • Mothers with young calves
  • Herds bathing at the water
  • Great for close, calm viewing
Young orphaned elephants at the Elephant Transit Home 02
Orphan Calves

Elephant Transit Home

Run by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, this centre cares for orphaned baby elephants and later releases them back into the wild.

  • Watch calves run in for their milk feed
  • Viewing platform — no touching or riding
  • Feeds several times a day
  • Supports real wildlife conservation
Water buffalo cooling off in the reservoir 03
Reservoir Life

Water Buffalo

Herds of water buffalo wallow in the shallows of the reservoir, often with egrets riding on their backs.

  • Seen at the reservoir edge
  • Cool off in the water at midday
  • Mountains in the background
  • Great scenic photos
A peacock standing in the scrub at Udawalawe 04
Colourful Birdlife

Peacocks & Birds

Peacocks, bee-eaters, rollers, eagles and painted storks are easy to spot in the open landscape.

  • Peacocks display in the breeding season
  • Raptors perched on dead trees
  • Painted storks at the water
  • Many migrant birds in winter
The Udawalawe reservoir shore with grazing animals 05
Around the Water

Crocodiles & More

Mugger crocodiles, monitor lizards, spotted deer and jackals live around the reservoir. Leopards live here too, but are rarely seen.

  • Crocodiles on the banks
  • Spotted deer in the scrub
  • Jackals and mongoose
  • Leopard sightings are rare
A painted stork wading in shallow water 06
Wetland Bird

Painted Stork

A tall stork with a yellow beak and pink wing feathers, often fishing in the shallow water around the reservoir.

  • Common around the water
  • Feeds by sweeping its bill
  • Nests in colonies
  • A favourite with photographers
Tour Highlights

Why Choose This Safari

Elephants All Year

Unlike parks that depend on the season, Udawalawe has elephants to see in every month.

Family Friendly

Open views, calm animals and shorter drives make it perfect for children.

Feeding Time

Time your visit to watch the orphaned calves come in for milk.

Your Own Jeep

Stop as long as you like at every sighting — no sharing.

Easy to Combine

On the way between Ella and the south coast, or before Yala.

Great Photos

Open landscapes and mountain backdrops make for beautiful pictures.

Safari Options

Choose Your Safari

Choose the time that suits your day. The park is usually open from 6 am to 6 pm.

Elephants by the water in the morning Half Day · About 4 hours

Morning Game Drive

🕕 Pickup around 6:00 am⏱️ Back by about 10:30 am

Cool air and soft light. Elephants are active and birds are at their busiest.

6:00 am

Hotel Pickup

Your jeep collects you from your Udawalawe hotel.

6:15 am

Enter the Park

Tickets at the gate and into the park at opening time.

6:30 – 10:00 am

Elephant Herds & Reservoir

Drive the grassland and the reservoir edge looking for herds.

10:30 am

Back at Your Hotel

Return for breakfast, or continue to the Transit Home.

Water buffalo in the reservoir in the afternoon Half Day · About 4 hours

Afternoon Game Drive

🕑 Pickup around 2:00 pm⏱️ Back by about 6:30 pm

The best choice if you are driving in from Ella or the coast. Herds come to the water late in the day.

2:00 pm

Hotel Pickup

Collected from your hotel after lunch.

2:30 pm

Enter the Park

Into the park as the day starts to cool.

4:00 – 6:00 pm

Golden-Hour Drive

Elephants gather at the water and the light turns gold.

6:30 pm

Back at Your Hotel

Leave at closing time.

Young elephants at the Elephant Transit Home Most of the Day · About 7 hours

Safari and Orphan Elephant Feeding

🕕 Pickup around 6:00 am🍼 Includes a feeding time

Our favourite plan for families: a morning safari, a rest, then the calves at feeding time.

6:00 am

Morning Safari

A full morning game drive in the park.

10:30 am

Breakfast & Rest

Back at your hotel to eat and cool off.

Midday

Elephant Transit Home

Watch the young elephants come in for their milk feed.

1:00 pm

Continue Your Journey

Drive on to Ella, Yala or the south coast — or relax at your hotel.

Young elephants gathering at the Elephant Transit Home
Conservation

The Elephant Transit Home

Baby elephants that lose their mothers — often because of conflict with farmers — are brought here to be raised. They are fed milk several times a day and kept as wild as possible.

When they are old enough, usually at around five years, they are released back into protected areas. Visitors watch feeding time from a viewing platform, and the entrance fee helps pay for their care.

  • Run byDepartment of Wildlife Conservation
  • Feeding timesUsually 9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm
  • Visit lengthAbout 30–45 minutes
  • LocationNear the park entrance
Things to Do

More to Do Around Udawalawe

All Year

Transit Home Feeding

Watch young elephants run in for their milk.

Feb – Jul

Add Yala

Continue to Yala, about 1.5–2 hours away, for a leopard safari.

All Year

Continue to Ella

Drive up into the hills — about 2 hours to Ella.

Dec – Apr

South Coast Beaches

Tangalle and Mirissa are around 2 hours away.

All Year

Village Lunch

Try a home-cooked rice and curry in a village near the park.

All Year

Reservoir Sunset

Watch the sun go down over the reservoir dam.

Best Time to Visit

When to Take This Trip

Best
☀️ Jan – Apr

Dry, clear days and easy viewing on the open grassland.

Good
🌤️ May – Sep

Still dry in the park; elephants gather near the water.

Wetter
🌧️ Oct – Dec

Monsoon showers and taller grass, but elephants are still seen.

All Year
🐘 Any month

Udawalawe does not close and elephants live here year-round.

Udawalawe works in every month — a great safari choice when Yala is closed in September and October.

Good To Know

What's Included

  • ✔

    Private 4x4 safari jeep for your group only

  • ✔

    Experienced tracker-driver

  • ✔

    Pickup and drop-off at Udawalawe hotels

  • ✔

    Bottled water in the jeep

  • ✔

    Help with park tickets at the gate

  • ✔

    Support by phone and WhatsApp

  • ✖

    Udawalawe park entrance tickets (paid per person)

  • ✖

    Elephant Transit Home entrance fee

  • ✖

    Meals and drinks

  • ✖

    Accommodation

  • ✖

    Personal expenses and tips

Travel Tips

Before You Go

  • 🎨

    Wear neutral colours and bring a hat — there is little shade in the park

  • 🧴

    Sunscreen and water are a must, especially in the afternoon

  • 🤫

    Stay quiet and seated near elephants and never feed them

  • 📷

    Binoculars or a zoom lens help for birds and distant herds

  • 🛂

    Carry your passport for foreign-visitor park tickets

Gallery

Udawalawe in Pictures

Mother and calf — Udawalawe Elephant Safari
Mother and calf
Herd by the reservoir — Udawalawe Elephant Safari
Herd by the reservoir
Wild elephant — Udawalawe Elephant Safari
Wild elephant
Elephant Transit Home — Udawalawe Elephant Safari
Elephant Transit Home
Water buffalo — Udawalawe Elephant Safari
Water buffalo
Peacock — Udawalawe Elephant Safari
Peacock
Painted stork — Udawalawe Elephant Safari
Painted stork
Reservoir shore — Udawalawe Elephant Safari
Reservoir shore
You May Also Like

More Sri Lanka Journeys

A leopard resting on a rock in Yala National Park Half Day / Full Day Wildlife

Yala National Park Safari

A private jeep safari in Sri Lanka's most famous park — leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and over 200 kinds of birds.

Tissamaharama · Palatupana Gate · Yala Block 1
Private 4x4 jeep View Itinerary
A blue train crossing Nine Arch Bridge near Ella 1 Day Hill Country

Ella Full-Day Tour

Sunrise on Little Adam's Peak, a train over Nine Arch Bridge, a tea factory and Ravana Falls — Ella's best sights in one relaxed day.

Little Adam's Peak · Nine Arch Bridge · Tea Factory · Ravana Falls
Private driver-guide View Itinerary
A Sri Lankan leopard resting in Yala National Park 4 Days / 3 Nights Wildlife

Wildlife Safari Adventure

Jeep safaris in Udawalawe and Yala national parks, the Elephant Transit Home and the sacred town of Kataragama — leopards, elephants and birdlife.

Udawalawe · Tissamaharama · Yala
Private driver-guide View Itinerary
Traveller Experiences

What Travellers Say About This Tour

Ready to Meet the Elephants?

Tell us your dates and route, and we'll fit an Udawalawe safari neatly into your trip.

WhatsApp Us Email Us Customize Your Trip
💬 ✨