Sri Lanka's Best Park for Elephant Sightings
Udawalawe National Park in southern Sri Lanka is the best park in the country for guaranteed elephant sightings. The park was established in 1972 to protect the catchment of the Udawalawe Reservoir, and the open scrub and grassland around the reservoir edge supports a resident population of over 700 elephants — far higher density than Yala, and in more open terrain where they are easier to observe. Morning and evening safaris almost always encounter large herds at the water.
Unlike Yala, Udawalawe is quieter and less crowded, and the elephant encounters are often extraordinarily close — herds of 50 or more crossing the track, mothers with very young calves, and bulls in musth that bring jeeps to a standstill. The park also has buffalo, crocodile, eagle and monitor lizard in abundance, though it is the elephants that make Udawalawe unmissable.
Guaranteed Elephant Sightings
Udawalawe has the highest density of elephants of any national park in Sri Lanka — almost every safari encounters multiple herds.
Large Herds at the Reservoir
At dawn and dusk, herds of 50+ elephants come to the Udawalawe Reservoir edge — one of the great wildlife spectacles in Asia.
Elephant Transit Home
The famous orphaned elephant rehabilitation centre is adjacent to the park — visit the 10am and 2pm feeding sessions.
Best Time to Visit
June to September and December to March are best. The park is open year-round.
Getting There
Approximately 4 hours from Colombo or 3 hours from Galle. Usually combined with a south coast stay or a Katharagama temple visit.
