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Udawalawe National Park is a national park located on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces in Sri Lanka. Established on June 30, 1972, the park covers 308.21 km² (119 sq mi) and was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River. It is Sri Lanka's third-most visited national park and is renowned for its large elephant population.

Udawalawe National Park has a resident herd of approximately 250 Sri Lankan elephants that permanently reside within the park. Many additional elephants are attracted to the area because of the Udawalawe reservoir. The open grasslands make elephants relatively easy to spot, and sightings are almost guaranteed on every safari.

Udawalawe is home to 43 mammal species including Sri Lankan leopards, Sri Lankan sloth bears, water buffalo, sambar deer, spotted deer, wild boar, golden palm civets, and mongoose. The park also hosts 184 bird species (33 migratory), 33 reptiles including mugger crocodiles and water monitors, 12 amphibians, 21 fish species, and 135 butterfly species.

The Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home was established in 1995 within the national park to care for abandoned elephant calves. Unlike the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, the Transit Home focuses on rehabilitation and release. When calves are old enough to fend for themselves, they are released back into the wild within the park. Several successful releases have taken place, including 9 calves in 1998-2000 and 8 more in 2002.

Udawalawe National Park is approximately 165 kilometers (103 miles) from Colombo. The journey typically takes 3.5 to 4 hours by car via the Southern Expressway. The nearest town is Embilipitiya. We offer pickup from any location in Sri Lanka with door-to-door service included in our safari packages.

Yala National Park is world-famous for having the highest leopard population density in the world. The park is also renowned for its diverse ecosystems, Sri Lankan elephants, sloth bears, and exceptional birdwatching opportunities. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and upgraded to a national park in 1938, Yala is one of the oldest and most visited parks in Sri Lanka.

Yala National Park covers 979 km² (378 sq mi), making it one of the largest national parks in Sri Lanka. The park consists of five blocks, with Block I (14,101 hectares) being the most popular for safaris due to its high wildlife concentration. The park borders the Indian Ocean and includes diverse habitats from grasslands to coastal wetlands.

Yala has one of the highest leopard population densities in the world. As of surveys, Block I alone is home to approximately 25 individual Sri Lankan leopards. The total park population is estimated to be significantly higher. The best time to spot leopards is during the dry season (February to July) when they come to waterholes, and during early morning or late afternoon safaris.

Yala National Park is home to 44 mammal species, 215 bird species (7 endemic to Sri Lanka), 47 reptile species (6 endemic), 18 amphibian species, and 21 freshwater fish species. Notable mammals include Sri Lankan elephants, leopards, sloth bears, wild water buffalo, toque macaques, golden palm civets, and fishing cats. Yala is recognized as one of 70 Important Bird Areas in Sri Lanka.

Yala hosts 215 bird species including 7 endemics: Sri Lanka grey hornbill, Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka wood pigeon, crimson-fronted barbet, black-capped bulbul, blue-tailed bee-eater, and brown-capped babbler. Migratory waterfowl include northern pintail, lesser whistling duck, and flamingos. The lagoons attract painted storks, spoonbills, pelicans, and various herons and egrets.

Yala National Park is approximately 270 kilometers (170 miles) from Colombo. The shortest route is via Ratnapura and Tissamaharama, taking about 5-6 hours by car. The nearest city is Hambantota. We provide comfortable air-conditioned transport from any location in Sri Lanka as part of our all-inclusive safari packages.

Udawalawe is open year-round and offers excellent wildlife viewing throughout the year. The best months are during the dry seasons: January to March and May to September. The park receives most rainfall during October to January and March to May (monsoon seasons). For elephant sightings, any time of year is suitable as the large resident herd is always present.

The best time for leopard sightings at Yala is during the dry season from February to July when vegetation is sparse and animals congregate around waterholes. Early morning (6:00 AM - 9:30 AM) and late afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM) safaris offer the best chances. Note that Yala Block I closes annually from September 1 to October 15 for wildlife breeding season.

Morning safaris at both Udawalawe and Yala typically begin at 6:00 AM when the park gates open. The morning session runs until approximately 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM. Early morning is the best time for wildlife viewing as animals are most active before the heat of the day. We recommend starting early for the best experience and animal sightings.

Afternoon safaris at Udawalawe and Yala typically begin around 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM and continue until park closing time at 6:00 PM. The late afternoon offers excellent wildlife viewing as animals become active again after the midday heat. Many photographers prefer this time for the beautiful golden-hour lighting conditions.

Yala Block I (the most popular section) is closed annually from September 1 to October 15 to allow wildlife to breed undisturbed. During this period, Block V remains open for safaris. Udawalawe National Park is open year-round with no seasonal closures. We recommend checking current park status before booking.

We use 6-seater 4WD safari jeeps that are specially modified for wildlife viewing. These vehicles have open sides or canvas tops that can be rolled up for unobstructed views and photography. For transport to and from your hotel, we use comfortable air-conditioned sedans, SUVs, or vans depending on group size.

A half-day safari (morning or afternoon) typically lasts 3-4 hours inside the park. A full-day safari includes both morning and afternoon sessions, totaling approximately 8 hours of park time with a break for lunch. The total day trip duration including transport depends on your pickup location – for example, a day trip from Colombo is approximately 12-14 hours.

All our safari packages include a private jeep exclusively for your group. You will not be sharing with other tourists. This allows for a personalized experience where you can spend as much time as you wish at wildlife sightings without being rushed. The jeep can accommodate up to 6 passengers comfortably.

Yes, all our safari jeep drivers are licensed, experienced professionals with years of experience in their respective parks. They have extensive knowledge of wildlife behavior, animal tracking, and the best locations for sightings. Many of our drivers also serve as knowledgeable guides who can identify species and share interesting facts about the wildlife and ecosystems.

We recommend bringing: sunscreen and a hat, comfortable lightweight clothing in neutral colors (khaki, green, brown), binoculars, camera with zoom lens, insect repellent, water bottle, light snacks, and a light jacket for early morning safaris. Avoid bright colors and white clothing that may startle animals. Don't forget your passport or ID for park entry.

Yes, safaris are family-friendly and safe for children of all ages. Children are fascinated by the wildlife, especially the elephants! We recommend bringing entertainment for younger children during the drive to the park. For toddlers, please note that the jeep rides can be bumpy on park roads. Our drivers maintain safe distances from all animals.

Our all-inclusive packages include: hotel pickup and drop-off from any location in Sri Lanka, air-conditioned transport to and from the park, private 6-seater 4WD safari jeep, park entrance tickets for all passengers, experienced safari driver/guide, and service charges. The only additional expense is meals, which you can arrange at local restaurants.

Safari prices vary depending on your pickup location and group size. A half-day safari from nearby locations starts from approximately $50-80 USD per person. Day trips from Galle, Ella, or Mirissa range from $100-150 USD. Use our instant price calculator on the homepage to get an exact quote for your specific requirements. Prices include everything – no hidden fees.

Payment is made at the start of your safari. You can pay in USD, EUR, GBP, or Sri Lankan Rupees. Major credit cards are accepted. No hidden fees or surcharges will be added to the quoted price.

Booking is easy! Simply use our instant booking form on the homepage: enter your pickup location, select the safari park, choose your drop-off location, and click "Get Price." Fill in your contact details and preferred date, then submit. You'll receive confirmation via email and WhatsApp. Alternatively, contact us directly on WhatsApp at +94 77 083 3772.

Yes, we offer flexible booking with free cancellation up to 24 hours before your scheduled safari. Modifications to pickup time, location, or date can be made at any time by contacting us via WhatsApp or email. Since no advance payment is required, cancellation is hassle-free. For group bookings, please inform us of any changes as early as possible.

Our pricing is already optimized for groups. As group size increases, the per-person cost decreases since jeep and transport costs are shared. A single traveler pays more per person than a group of 6. For groups larger than 6, we arrange multiple jeeps and can offer additional discounts. Contact us directly for custom group quotes.

Park entrance fees are set by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and vary by nationality. Foreign adults pay approximately $15-25 USD per person at Udawalawe and $25-35 USD at Yala (subject to change). Children pay reduced rates. All entrance fees are included in our package price – you don't need to pay anything extra at the gate.

Yes, all visitors must present valid identification at the park entrance. Foreign nationals should bring their passport. Sri Lankan citizens can use their National Identity Card. A photocopy or photo of your passport on your phone is sometimes accepted, but we recommend bringing the original document to avoid any issues.

Both Udawalawe and Yala National Parks are open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Entry is permitted from 6:00 AM, and all vehicles must exit by 6:00 PM. There is typically a midday break where wildlife viewing is less productive due to heat, which is why we offer morning and afternoon safari options.

At Udawalawe National Park, elephant sightings are virtually guaranteed (99%+ success rate) due to the large resident herd of 250+ elephants and the open grassland habitat. At Yala, elephants are commonly seen but less concentrated than at Udawalawe. Both parks offer excellent opportunities to observe elephant herds, including mothers with calves.

At Yala National Park, leopard sighting rates are among the highest in the world – approximately 30-40% on any given safari, and higher during the dry season (February-July). Leopards are elusive and sightings cannot be guaranteed, but Yala's high density gives you the best odds globally. At Udawalawe, leopards are present but rarely seen due to denser vegetation.

Sri Lankan sloth bears are present in both Udawalawe and Yala, but they are shy and rarely seen. Yala offers slightly better chances, particularly during the Palu fruit season (June-July) when bears feed on this favorite fruit. Sloth bear sightings are uncommon but possible – consider them a special bonus if spotted!

For wildlife photography, we recommend a camera with a telephoto zoom lens (200-600mm or equivalent). A 100-400mm lens is versatile for most situations. DSLRs and mirrorless cameras provide the best results, but modern smartphones with optical zoom can capture good images too. Bring extra batteries and memory cards. A beanbag or monopod helps stabilize shots from the moving jeep.

Safari vehicles must maintain minimum distances from wildlife for safety and animal welfare. Elephants can often be observed from 20-50 meters, and sometimes closer if they approach the road. Leopards are typically photographed from 30-100 meters. Our drivers are trained to position the jeep for optimal viewing while respecting wildlife and following park regulations.

Yes! We offer island-wide pickup and drop-off service. Popular pickup locations include Colombo, Negombo, Galle, Mirissa, Tangalle, Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, and Arugam Bay. We can also pick up from any airport, hotel, or specific address. The price is calculated based on your exact pickup and drop-off locations.

Absolutely! Many of our guests use safaris as a travel day, picking up from one destination and dropping off at another. For example, pickup in Galle, safari at Udawalawe, and drop-off in Ella is a popular option. This eliminates the need for backtracking and makes your Sri Lanka itinerary more efficient. Prices are calculated accordingly.

Pickup time depends on your location and whether you want a morning or afternoon safari. For morning safaris (6:00 AM park entry), pickups from Colombo start around 2:00-3:00 AM, from Galle around 3:00-4:00 AM, and from Ella around 4:00-5:00 AM. We'll confirm exact pickup time when booking based on your preferences and location.

Both parks offer unique experiences. Choose Udawalawe if you want: guaranteed elephant sightings, a less crowded experience, shorter travel time from the south coast. Choose Yala if you want: the best chance to see leopards, more diverse ecosystems, larger park area. For the ultimate experience, visit both parks on consecutive days!

Yes! We offer combination packages visiting both parks. The parks are about 90 km apart (2-hour drive). A popular itinerary is: Day 1 - Udawalawe morning safari, drive to Yala area; Day 2 - Yala morning safari. Contact us for custom multi-day packages that include accommodation recommendations near the parks.

Generally yes. Yala is Sri Lanka's most popular and most visited wildlife park, attracting over 400,000 visitors annually. Udawalawe, while the third-most visited park, typically has fewer jeeps and a more relaxed atmosphere. During peak season (December-April), both parks can be busy, but Udawalawe usually offers a more intimate experience.