Udawalawe is the park for elephants. Its open grassland and reservoir support large herds, and you will almost certainly see dozens on a game drive, often at close range. Water buffalo, crocodiles, peacocks and eagles are common too.
Next to the park, the Elephant Transit Home raises orphaned calves until they can be released into the wild. Visitors can watch feeding time from a viewing platform: a far better choice than any attraction offering elephant rides.
Top things to do: Udawalawe National Park
Take a jeep safari
A half-day game drive is enough to see the herds. Tours from the coast include pickup and lunch.
Watch feeding at the Elephant Transit Home
Feeding sessions take place several times a day; tours time the visit to coincide with one.
How to get there from Ahangama
- About two and a half to three hours by road from Ahangama.
- Tours include transport; otherwise hire a driver for the day and a jeep at the park entrance.
Insider tips
- Avoid any place offering elephant rides or shows. The Transit Home is the ethical way to see calves.
- Bring a hat and water: the grassland has little shade.
Best tours & tickets
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to do it from Ahangama:
Udawalawe National Park Wildlife Safari from Galle
If elephants matter more than leopards, Udawalawe is the better park: herds are almost guaranteed, the grassland is open and it is a little closer than Yala. Most trips add the Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned calves are fed before release.
- Wild elephant herds
- Elephant Transit Home visit
- Hotel pickup and lunch
Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama or Mirissa: Yala National Park Safari
Yala has one of the highest densities of leopards anywhere, plus elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles. It is a long day from Ahangama (around three hours each way), so pickup is early. The national park entry fee is paid on the day and is not included.
- Open-jeep game drive with a tracker
- Private air-conditioned transfer
- Park fee extra, paid at the gate
Live availability: tours around Udawalawe National Park
Real-time prices and availability from GetYourGuide. Free cancellation on most experiences.
