Where elephants roam wild beneath wide open skies

Tucked between Sri Lanka’s hill country and southern plains, Udawalawe National Park is one of the island’s best places to see elephants in the wild — not in ones or twos, but in whole herds. It’s a landscape of dry grasslands, thorny scrub, and shimmering reservoirs, and its open terrain makes wildlife sightings not just possible, but often spectacular.

Unlike the denser jungles of Yala, Udawalawe offers unobstructed views across vast plains — perfect for spotting its most famous residents: Asian elephants. These gentle giants are the heart of the park. You’ll see them grazing, bathing in waterholes, or guiding their calves across the road, sometimes just steps away from your safari jeep.

But elephants aren’t the only stars here. Look closer, and you’ll find spotted deer, jackals, water buffalo, monitor lizards, and countless species of birds — from serpent eagles circling overhead to colorful bee-eaters darting through the brush. The park is especially rewarding for birdwatchers, with both dry zone and wetland species in abundance.

Safaris in Udawalawe are best done early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when animals are most active and the light is golden. The experience feels intimate and authentic, with fewer crowds than the larger parks and guides who know the land well.

Just outside the park’s gates is the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, a conservation center that rehabilitates orphaned elephant calves and releases them back into the wild. A visit here offers a powerful reminder of the delicate balance between people and nature — and the efforts being made to preserve it.



Udawalawe isn’t flashy. It’s quiet, honest, and deeply moving. For those seeking real connection to the wild — and especially for families or wildlife lovers — this park delivers a safari that feels both personal and unforgettable.