Udawalawe Safari: Private Jeep, Elephants & Ella Transfer

Wild elephants in grassland and bush forest, a morning in an open jeep

A private safari tour of Udawalawe National Park departing from South Coast towns, with a driver-guide, three to three and a half hours in an open jeep, and a visit to the Elephant Transit Home where orphaned calves are rehabilitated. You end the day dropped at Ella or Wellawaya, making this a one-way journey that combines wildlife spotting with onward travel to the highlands.

Step-by-step itinerary

Udawalawe Safari and Elephant Transit Home

• Private transportation pickup
• Safari at Udawalawe National Park
• Visit Elephant Transit Home
• Lunch included
• Drop off at Ella or Wellawaya

The experience

Udawalawe National Park sits framed by highlands on its northern edge and spreads across grasslands and bush forest: one of Sri Lanka's best places to see wild elephants and other game. Your driver-guide picks you up from towns along the South Coast (Tangalle, Mirissa, Unawatuna, Galle, Bentota, Kalutara and others), then drives you to the park for a three to three and a half hour safari in a private open jeep. The grassland habitat makes animals visible across distance, and the park's elephant population is substantial enough that sightings are the rule rather than the exception.

After the safari, you visit the Elephant Transit Home, a rehabilitation facility established in 1995 within the park by Sri Lanka's Department of Wildlife Conservation. It takes in orphaned elephant calves and prepares them for release back into the wild. The facility lets you see the work up close and understand what happens to young elephants separated from their herds. Lunch is included, and all entry fees (to the park and the Transit Home) are covered in the price.

The tour ends with a drop-off to Ella or Wellawaya, towns in the central highlands. This means you're not returning to your starting point. Instead, you're traveling inland as part of the same booking. If you're moving between the coast and the hill country and want to see Udawalawe on the way, this structure saves a separate transfer and a separate tour day.

What’s included

• Private transportation with an experienced driver-guide.
• a three to three and a half hour private safari session in an open jeep.
• entry to Udawalawe National Park and the Elephant Transit Home.
• lunch and bottled water.
• pickup from your South Coast hotel or town and drop-off to Ella or Wellawaya.

Options for this experience

11 options

From UdawalaweGuide in English · 05:45, 09:00 and 13:00Pickup from Udawalawe, with drop-off in the Ella and Wellawaya areas after the safari. Starting point: Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.

From Tangalle/Dickwella/RannaGuide in English · 04:30, 07:30 and 11:30Pickup from Tangalle, Ranna, Dickwella, Hiriketiya, with drop-off in the Ella and Wellawaya areas after the safari. Starting points: Dikwella, Sri Lanka; Ranna, Sri Lanka; Tangalle, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.

Departing from Hambantota / WeerawilaGuide in English · 05:00, 08:15 and 12:00Pickup from Hambantota, Ambalantota, Weerawila, with drop-off in the Ella and Wellawaya areas after the safari. Starting points: Hambantota, Sri Lanka; Weerawila, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.

See 8 more options

From Tissamaharama/YalaGuide in English · 05:00, 08:15 and 12:00Pickup from Tissamaharama, Yala, Kirinda, Kataragama, with drop-off in the Ella and Wellawaya areas after the safari. Starting points: Kataragama, Sri Lanka; Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.

From Bentota/BeruwalaGuide in English · 04:00, 07:00 and 10:30Pickup from Bentota, Induruwa, Beruwala, Aluthgama, with drop-off in the Ella and Wellawaya areas after the safari. Pickup is included.

Departing from Ahungalla / KosgodaGuide in English · 04:00, 07:00 and 10:30Pickup from Ahungalla, Kosgoda, Balapitiya, Ambalangoda, with drop-off in the Ella and Wellawaya areas after the safari. Pickup is included.

From Hikkaduwa/Galle/UnawatunaGuide in English · 04:00, 07:15 and 11:00Pickup from Hikkaduwa, Rathgama, Galle, Unawatuna, with drop-off in the Ella and Wellawaya areas after the safari. Starting point: Unawatuna, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.

From Ahangama/Koggala/TalpeGuide in English · 04:15, 07:15 and 11:15Pickup from Ahangama, Koggala, Habaraduwa, Talpe, with drop-off in the Ella and Wellawaya areas after the safari. Starting points: Ahangama, Sri Lanka; Koggala, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.

From Weligama/Mirissa/MataraGuide in English · 04:15, 07:15 and 11:15Pickup from Weligama, Midigama, Mirissa, Matara, with drop-off in the Ella and Wellawaya areas after the safari. Starting points: Matara, Sri Lanka; Mirissa, Sri Lanka; Weligama, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.

From Wadduwa / KalutaraGuide in English · 04:00, 07:00 and 10:15Pickup is included

From Arugam BayGuide in English · 04:00, 07:00 and 10:15Pickup from Arugam Bay, with drop-off in the Ella and Wellawaya areas after the safari. Starting point: Arugam Bay, 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 day17 departure times: the first at 04:00, the last at 13:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Bentota Travel Mart

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling from the South Coast toward the central highlands and want to see Udawalawe's elephants on the way: the one-way drop-off to Ella or Wellawaya means you're not doubling back, and the private jeep lets you set the pace and ask your guide questions without sharing the vehicle or the experience.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 5 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I see on the Udawalawe safari?

Udawalawe National Park is known for its large elephant population, and the grassland and bush forest habitat makes them visible from the jeep. The park also holds various other wildlife species, though sightings depend on the time of day and season.

How does the Elephant Transit Home work?

The Transit Home rehabilitates orphaned elephant calves found in the wild, caring for them until they're ready to be released back into the park. Your visit is part of the tour itinerary, and entry is included in the price.

Can I choose which South Coast town to be picked up from?

Yes. Pickup is available from multiple locations: Tangalle, Dickwella, Weligama, Mirissa, Unawatuna, Galle, Hikkaduwa, Ahungalla, Kosgoda, Bentota, Beruwala, Kalutara and Wadduwa. You select your pickup town when you book.

Does this tour end back at my hotel?

No. The tour ends with drop-off to Ella or Wellawaya in the central highlands, not a return to your starting point on the coast. This works well if you're traveling inland that day. If you need to return to your hotel, a different tour option may suit you better.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation with your driver-guide, the three to three and a half hour safari in an open jeep, entry to Udawalawe National Park, entry to the Elephant Transit Home, lunch and bottled water are all included. Drinks beyond water, gratuities and breakfast are not.