Udawalawe National Park in southern Sri Lanka protects the reservoir catchment, grassland, scrub and wetlands. It is known for wild elephants and waterbirds. This is a wildlife area, not a zoo: sightings and distance vary; no animal is guaranteed.
Entry is by safari vehicle with a driver or guide; private cars are not admitted. Published gate hours are 06:00–18:00, with last entry reported around 17:00; confirm the current schedule. Stay on permitted routes, keep a safe distance and do not feed or crowd wildlife.
Price examples checked 25 September 2026, not one fixed park tariff. A guide checked against the gate board on 1 September reports LKR 13,420 for one foreign adult or LKR 22,500 total for two; child age 6–12: LKR 5,450; under six: free. The shared vehicle/service charge makes group totals vary. A private half-day jeep (about 3–4 hours) is quoted at USD 40–80 per vehicle; tickets may be extra. Confirm inclusions and total before booking; gate fees are paid in LKR. Price guide: https://www.udawalawa.com/udawalawe-safari-price/.
Photo: “Wild Elephants at Udawalawe national park”, Dinushan w77, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized. Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wild_Elephants_at_Udawalawe_national_park.jpg
Entry is by safari vehicle with a driver or guide; private cars are not admitted. Published gate hours are 06:00–18:00, with last entry reported around 17:00; confirm the current schedule. Stay on permitted routes, keep a safe distance and do not feed or crowd wildlife.
Price examples checked 25 September 2026, not one fixed park tariff. A guide checked against the gate board on 1 September reports LKR 13,420 for one foreign adult or LKR 22,500 total for two; child age 6–12: LKR 5,450; under six: free. The shared vehicle/service charge makes group totals vary. A private half-day jeep (about 3–4 hours) is quoted at USD 40–80 per vehicle; tickets may be extra. Confirm inclusions and total before booking; gate fees are paid in LKR. Price guide: https://www.udawalawa.com/udawalawe-safari-price/.
Photo: “Wild Elephants at Udawalawe national park”, Dinushan w77, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized. Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wild_Elephants_at_Udawalawe_national_park.jpg
