Udawalawe National Park jeep safari from Ella: Wild elephants

Three hours tracking elephants across Udawalawe's water-fed grasslands

A half-day jeep safari from Ella or Bandarawela into Udawalawe National Park, where a permanent herd of no less than 250 Asian elephants lives year-round. Hotel pickup starts at 6 a.m., the three-hour safari begins at 10 a.m., and lunch at a local restaurant follows before return by 3 p.m. The park's abundant water sources sustain one of Sri Lanka's largest elephant populations, and hundreds more migrate in seasonally from nearby reserves.

Step-by-step itinerary

Udawalawe National Park Jeep Safari

• Pick up from hotel in Ella or Bandarawela
• Travel to Udawalawe National Park
• Enjoy 3-hour jeep safari in the park
• Have lunch at a local restaurant
• Return to hotel in Ella or Bandarawela

The experience

Udawalawe National Park sits roughly two hours south of Ella and Bandarawela, built originally to shelter elephants displaced by the Udawalawe reservoir dam. The park's water-fed landscape draws and holds the largest elephant concentration on the island: a permanent resident herd of at least 250, plus seasonal arrivals from protected areas nearby. A jeep driver takes you through the park for three hours starting at 10 a.m., the window when elephants move most actively across the grasslands and water holes. The vehicle is air-conditioned. Refreshments and water bottles come with you during the drive.

Morning safaris here also turn up rare birds frequently: aquatic species, raptors and land birds move through the same habitat. If birdwatching matters as much as the elephants, the early departure from your hotel (6 a.m. pickup) positions you for the best sightings. After the safari ends around 1 p.m., you eat lunch at a local restaurant before the return transfer to your hotel by 3 p.m. The full day runs eight to twelve hours door-to-door, depending on which hotel you depart from.

Bring a valid passport: entry to the national park requires one. Wear comfortable safari clothes and come to your hotel lobby fifteen minutes early. The jeep is air-conditioned but the open sides mean sun exposure during the drive. The tour includes all government taxes, park entrance fees, the jeep cost and the driver, so no surprises at the gate.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• three-hour jeep safari with a driver through Udawalawe National Park.
• entrance fees to the national park.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• refreshments and water bottles during the safari.
• all government taxes.

Options for this experience

5 options

Pickup from hotels in UdawalaweGuide in English · 09:00Pickup and drop-off at the nearest hotels in the Udawalawe area. Departure point: Udawalawa, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.

Pickup from Mount Lavinia is providedGuide in English · 06:00Pickup and drop-off at the nearest hotels in the Mount Lavinia area. Departure point: Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.

Pickup from hotels in ColomboGuide in English · 06:00Pickup and drop-off at the nearest hotels in Colombo. Departure point: Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

Pickup from hotels in EllaGuide in English · 06:00Pickup and drop-off at the nearest hotels in the Ella area. Departure point: Ella, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.

Pickup from hotels in BandarawelaGuide in English · 06:00Pickup and drop-off at the nearest hotels in the Bandarawela area. Departure point: Bandarawela, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00 and 09:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Wondrous Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Ella or Bandarawela and want a morning safari that leaves by 6 a.m. when elephants are most active. If you're staying in Colombo or Mount Lavinia, the drive makes this a full-day commitment instead.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

How many elephants actually live in Udawalawe National Park?

Udawalawe's permanent herd numbers no less than 250 Asian elephants, and hundreds more migrate into the park annually from nearby protected areas, drawn by the abundant water sources that sustain such large numbers year-round.

What time does the jeep safari actually start, and how long does it last?

The safari begins at 10 a.m. on arrival at the park and runs for three hours, so you're back at the park entrance by 1 p.m. before heading to lunch.

Do I need to bring anything specific to enter the national park?

A valid passport is required for entry to Udawalawe National Park, so bring yours with you on the day of the tour.

What birds might I see on a morning safari?

Morning safaris in Udawalawe frequently include rare bird sightings across aquatic species, birds of prey and land birds, all of which inhabit the same grassland and water-hole habitat as the elephants.

Which hotel pickup locations are available for this tour?

You can arrange pickup from hotels in Ella, Bandarawela, Udawalawe, Mount Lavinia or Colombo. The driver collects you from the most closely located hotel in your chosen area at 6 a.m.