Udawalawe National Park Safari from Galle: Private Jeep Tour

Three hours inside Udawalawe watching herds of wild elephants, then lunch and the drive back to Galle

A fully private safari tour from Galle to Udawalawe National Park with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned jeep, a guide and lunch. You spend three hours inside the park watching Sri Lankan elephants roam in herds of up to 30, along with crocodiles, water buffalo and deer. The tour ends with a return transfer to your hotel. Park entrance tickets and the jeep fee are paid separately at the gate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Udawalawe National Park Safari

• Hotel pick-up in southern province
• Transfer to Udawalawe National Park
• 3-hour safari to see wild elephants
• Explore park wildlife and landscape
• Drop off at hotel

The experience

Your representative meets you at your hotel in the Galle area and drives you to Udawalawe National Park in an air-conditioned vehicle. The park is home to roughly 600 wild elephants, the largest concentration in Sri Lanka, and they roam the plains in herds, often in groups of up to 30. Once you arrive, your safari guide takes you into the park for three hours in a jeep, where you watch the elephants interact with each other, dust themselves, tend to their young and move across the landscape. Crocodiles, water buffalo, sambar deer and numerous bird species also inhabit the park, but the elephants are the focus.

The tour is structured around what you actually see rather than a fixed schedule of stops. You move through the park following the guide's knowledge of where animals are most active, so the rhythm of the morning depends on the wildlife present on the day you visit. After the safari ends, you return to the jeep for lunch, then your driver takes you back to your hotel in Galle.

The tour runs 8 to 10 hours total, including travel time from Galle. Park entrance tickets and the jeep fee (65 dollars per person) are not included in the tour price and must be paid separately when you arrive at the gate.

What’s included

• Lunch.
• all transfers from your hotel in the Galle area to Udawalawe and back.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• an air-conditioned vehicle for the journey.
• the three-hour safari inside Udawalawe National Park with a guide.

Options for this experience

2 options

The park entrance fee is not includedGuide in English · 08:00Pickup is included

Udawalawe National Park Safari Tour, fully privateGuide in English · 08:00Everything is covered: Udawalawe National Park entrance tickets and the safari jeep fee are both included, and pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except FridayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

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

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

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Operated by Mirissa Excursions

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so you travel with your own guide and jeep rather than joining other visitors. That setup lets you move at your own pace through the park and spend time with the elephants without coordinating around a larger group's schedule.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

How many wild elephants live in Udawalawe National Park?

Udawalawe is home to roughly 600 wild elephants, the largest herd in Sri Lanka. They roam the plains in groups of up to 30, which means sightings are almost guaranteed during a safari.

What other wildlife besides elephants will I see in the park?

Udawalawe also has crocodiles, water buffalo, sambar deer and many bird species. The elephants are the main attraction, but the park supports a range of animals across its landscape.

How long do I spend actually inside the park on the safari?

The safari itself lasts three hours inside Udawalawe, traveling by jeep with your guide. The full tour from hotel pickup to drop-off takes 8 to 10 hours, including the drive from Galle and lunch.

Is hotel pickup included from anywhere in Galle?

Hotel pickup is available from locations in the southern province around Galle. Your representative will meet you at your hotel and return you there after the tour ends.

What do I need to pay separately from the tour price?

National park entrance tickets and the safari jeep fee are not included and must be paid separately at the park gate. The fee is 65 dollars per person.