We recently spent two days in the Udawalawe National Park in southern Sri Lanka. While lacking the so called glamour of Yala - the signature park of Sri Lanka - this shrub land park offers a host of wildlife including possibly the best views of elephants at close quarters including many birds and other smaller mammals.
From Wikipedia
Udawalawe National Park lies on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces, in Sri Lanka. The national park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir. The reserve covers 30,821 hectares (119.00 sq mi) of land area and was established on 30 June 1972. Before the designation of the national park, the area was used for shifting cultivation (chena farming). The farmers were gradually removed once the national park was declared. The park is 165 kilometres (103 mi) from Colombo. Udawalawe is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third most visited park in the country.
SAFARI COSTS
The cost of a jeep for a single half day safari will vary between LKR (Sri Lanka Rupees) 3500 to 5000 depending on the pick up and drop points. The jeep can take around 6 persons. The cost of the entry to the park per visit is given in this photo below:
Some photographs from our visit to the Park
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| The land monitor |
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| The best park to see elephants in Sri Lanka |
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| A peacock greets the morning sunshine |
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| A storm brews over the reservoir |
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| Elephants in a jeep jam trying to cross the road |
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| The elephants are not afraid of the safari vehicles |
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| An elephant crosses a river with painted storks on the bank |
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| A toque macaque |
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| A red wattled lapwing |
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| A peacock waits for the rain |
