Udawalawe National Park safari from Colombo: Spot wild elephants
Track wild elephants across Udawalawe's open terrain
A full-day jeep safari from Colombo into Udawalawe National Park, with entry, lunch and hotel pickup included. You ride through the park's grasslands and woodland in a private air-conditioned vehicle, scanning for the large elephant herds the park is known for, plus leopards, water buffalo, deer and bird species. The tour also visits the Elephant Transit Home, a rehabilitation facility for orphaned calves within the park.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Udawalawe wildlife safari and transfer
- Travel from Colombo to Udawalawe
- Visit Elephant Transit Home
- Jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park
- Enjoy included lunch
- Return to Colombo
What’s included
- National park entry fees (depending on your selected package).
- hotel pickup and drop-off.
- private air-conditioned jeep.
- live English-speaking guide.
- lunch (depending on your selected package).
Times
- Every day 07:00 08:00
Before you book
Operated by Lanka Tour Host (Pvt) Ltd
Prices and times updated 6 days ago
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The experience
Udawalawe National Park sits on the boundary between Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces and was created as a sanctuary for wildlife displaced by the Udawalawe Reservoir construction. The park's open terrain and water sources draw large herds of wild elephants, making sightings nearly certain. You travel by private jeep through the park's diverse landscape, stopping to watch and photograph the animals as they move across grassland and into woodland. A live English-speaking guide navigates the route and explains the wildlife and the park's history.
The Elephant Transit Home, established in 1995 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation, sits within the park and rehabilitates orphaned elephant calves for eventual release back into the wild. The facility is a stop on your route, offering a chance to see the younger animals up close and understand the conservation work happening on the ground. After the visit, you continue your safari through the park's remaining hours, looking for the other species that share the habitat: leopards are present but elusive, while water buffalo, deer and numerous bird species are more commonly spotted.
The tour runs for 12 hours total, including the drive from Colombo and back. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with park entry fees and lunch. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters during the heat of midday. The two purchase options differ in what they cover: Transportation only includes the vehicle and guide. All Included adds the park fees and meal. Drinks and tips are not included in either option.
Is this one for you?Choose the All Included option if you want to avoid arranging park fees and a meal separately. The Transportation Only option suits travelers who prefer to handle those details themselves or who have dietary needs the tour's standard lunch may not meet. The 12-hour commitment means an early start and a late return, so plan the rest of your Colombo day around it.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 5 years): free.
What wildlife will I actually see at Udawalawe?
Udawalawe is famous for its large population of wild elephants, and sightings are nearly guaranteed. The park also holds leopards, water buffalo, deer and numerous bird species. What you see depends on the time of day and the animals' movement, but the elephant herds are the main draw and the reason the park exists.
What is the Elephant Transit Home and why is it part of this tour?
The Elephant Transit Home is a rehabilitation facility within Udawalawe National Park, established in 1995 to care for orphaned elephant calves and prepare them for release back into the wild. It is a stop on your route, giving you a close look at younger animals and the conservation effort behind them.
How long is the full day, and when do I get picked up from my hotel?
The tour runs for 12 hours total from pickup to drop-off. Hotel pickup is included, though the exact time depends on your hotel location in Colombo and the operator's schedule for that day.
What's the difference between the Transportation Only and All Included options?
Transportation Only covers the private jeep, the English-speaking guide and the drive to and from Colombo. All Included adds national park entry fees and lunch. Drinks and tips are not included in either option.
Is the drive comfortable, and will I be in a vehicle the whole time?
You travel in a private air-conditioned jeep, which keeps you cool during the heat of the day. The jeep stops frequently so you can watch and photograph wildlife, but you spend most of the day riding rather than walking.
Udawalawe National Park safari from Colombo: Spot wild elephants
12h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 135 per person
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