Udawalawe

Best Jan – Mar Southern Interior Wildlife & Nature 1 – 2 nights

Udawalawe is where you are virtually guaranteed to see wild elephants in Asia. Over 650 elephants roam freely across open savannah-like plains, gathering at waterholes and grazing beside your jeep without the slightest concern. Few wildlife experiences feel so immediate or so humbling.

Mornings begin with a half-day game drive through golden grasslands that recall East Africa more than South Asia. By afternoon, visit the Elephant Transit Home to watch orphaned calves being bottle-fed before their eventual release back into the wild.

Why Honeymoon in Udawalawe?

Stretching across 30,000 hectares around a vast reservoir built in the 1960s, Udawalawe National Park feels like a pocket of the African savannah dropped into Sri Lanka's southern interior. The flat, open terrain means sightings are frequent and unobstructed, with herds of 20 to 40 elephants a common occurrence even on a short morning drive.

Beyond the elephants, the park supports water buffalo, sambar deer, wild boar, crocodiles and more than 200 bird species. Keep your eyes on the sky for the grey-headed fish eagle and Sri Lanka's largest bird, the lesser adjutant stork, both of which nest near the reservoir. Guided birdwatching excursions along the dam bund offer sweeping views across the water.

After a dusty game drive, return to your lodge for a long shower and a sunset gin on the terrace. The dining scene here leans towards fresh, home-cooked Sri Lankan rice and curry served at intimate boutique properties like Waraka or Kottawatta River Bank Resort. Nights are wonderfully quiet, broken only by the calls of nightjars and the distant trumpeting of elephants at the reservoir edge.

Highlights of Udawalawe

Morning Elephant Safari

Cruise through open grasslands at dawn watching herds of wild elephants graze, bathe and play together

Elephant Transit Home

See orphaned elephant calves being bottle-fed at this rehabilitation centre before their release into the wild

Udawalawe Reservoir

Enjoy panoramic views across the vast reservoir where pelicans, cormorants and painted storks gather in flocks

Grey-Headed Fish Eagle

Spot this rare and magnificent raptor hunting above the reservoir, one of only a handful of nesting pairs

Crocodile Basking Banks

Watch mugger crocodiles sunning themselves along the banks of the Walawe River during your afternoon drive

Sunset at the Dam Bund

Walk along the four-kilometre dam wall as the sun sets behind the mountains and water birds settle for evening

Best Time to Visit

January to March is the driest window, when herds concentrate around the reservoir and visibility is excellent across the open grassland. June to September also brings low rainfall and good conditions. Avoid October and November when the northeast monsoon delivers heavy rains, and the park roads can become muddy and difficult to navigate.

Getting There

Udawalawe sits roughly 170 kilometres southeast of Colombo, reachable by car in about four hours via the Southern Expressway. The park is also an easy stopover between the hill country around Ella and the southern beaches at Tangalle or Mirissa. We arrange all private transfers with experienced drivers who know the best routes and rest stops along the way.