Udawalawe National Park

I had an amazing experience at Udawalawe National Park. Got to see so many elephants up close, and the safari ride was really exciting. The nature and views were so beautiful and peaceful. Our guide was friendly and explained a lot about the animals and the park. It was my first time visiting, and I really enjoyed every moment. Highly recommend this place if you love wildlife and nature. Will definitely visit again one day!

5 stars and more! Amazing place! Beautiful nature, wonderful views. And many animals. We met elephants right after entering the park. One of the most beautiful places. Totally recommend

Udawalawe National Park offers one of the best and most reliable elephant safaris in Sri Lanka, with a diverse wildlife lineup, knowledgeable guides, and a welcoming, uncrowded atmosphere. Best Time: Aim for early morning (6:00–10:00 AM) or late afternoon (4:00–6:30 PM) safaris to optimize sightings.

We went for an afternoon safari and it was perfect. It was breathtaking to see all those animals. Our guide was super great and always chose the right ways to get the best view and opportunities to see elephants and other animals. It was really peaceful in the park. Sure there were heaps of other jeeps around but you can always find a spot where there’s no one else. I highly recommend it.

Our safari at Udawalawe National Park was truly unforgettable. The park is stunning and serene, offering breathtaking views of nature and abundant wildlife. We were lucky to see elephants up close, along with water buffalo, crocodiles, eagles, peacocks, and more. Our guide was knowledgeable and respectful of the animals, which made the experience feel both authentic and safe. That said, we did notice some other guides approaching elephants too closely, which can be stressful for the animals and potentially dangerous for visitors. So it's important to choose a responsible safari operator. If you’re a nature or wildlife lover, this park is an absolute must-visit while in Sri Lanka!

Amazing national park that everyone needs to visit before leaving Sri Lanka! You can get so close to the elephants! Bird watching is absolutely incredible and doesn’t stop. We were able to see wild boars and wild buffalo as well. Wonderful park.

Our family including 2 toddlers had a great 1/2 day safari visit to this wonderful park. We started it out at 5:30am to arrive for a 6am open time. While we waited for our tickets in the parking lot, we bought nice cotton embroidered souvenir safari hats for about $5 each. There were lots of other jeeps there ready for the day, but it didn’t seem too crowded because the park was pretty big. The only time it got a bit more crowded was when we got to see the two week old baby elephant with his family. We saw numerous elephants, birds and monkeys. We saw one elephant with tusks which is more rare as less than 10% of male Asian elephants have them. Our hotel had packed us a breakfast which we ate in our jeep by the lake where we saw a land monitor leaving his tree after most of the people had left. There are very few jungle cats or leopards in this park and we didn’t see any, but other people we met saw some that day so they are there but are elusive. This park is very mindful of the animals and there is lots of vegetation and cover for the animals which is a trade-off for being able to see them. Our guide was very experienced and knowledgeable and we had a great visit to this park. If I were to return without small children, then I would choose to do a full day Safari. A wonderful day at an unforgettable place.

Great place. Especially if you love elephants. So many of these easily visible. The safari experience is stunning.