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Udawalawe National Park

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Udawalawe National Park straddles the Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces and includes the Udawalawe Reservoir, together with much of its catchment area. Its altitudes range from about 330 ft. (100m) on the plains to 1225 ft. (373m) at the top of Ulgala, the highest point within the park. The park is surrounded by cultivated land.

Located in the Dry Zone Udawalawe comprises grasslands and thorn scrubs. Best time to see Elephants in park is the early morning and late evening. The park opens at 6 am. It is best to be at the gate by this time. In this park you will never come out without seeing some elephants. If you are lucky you might see herds over 100 elephants. You can hire a jeep right at the gate. They cost around Rs 1500/- per half day and Rs 3000/- for full day. Vans are also allowed in to the park. They can travel on almost all the tracks on the dry season. But during the rain season its best to hire a jeep. If you want to enjoy the trip go there on a week day. Weekends can get overcrowded with vehicles everywhere.

There are four Wildlife Department circuit bungalows within the park, located at Thimbirigasmankada, Veheragolla, Sinuggala and Gonaviddagala. All these bungalows, which can accommodate upto ten persons each, are located near major water sources which provide better opportunities of viewing elephants. Additionally, two campsites are available for occupation at Pansadhara and Aliwadiya.

To me the best one is the "Thimbiriyamankada bungalow". Made completely out of wood This offers a excellent experience of a wildlife sanctuary. If you like more luxury you can book the "Veheragolla Bungalow".

Directions

The park can be reached through Ratnapura and is approximately 170 Km from Colombo. There are two ways of reaching Ratnapura. One is using the hi level road and the the other is thorough Panadura - Horana Road. From Ratnapura take the route to Palmadulla. From Palmadulla Take the Embilipitiya Road. After traveling about 43 kms on this route turn left from the Thimbolkatiya Junction towards the Thanamalwila. The entrance to the park can be found after about 7 kms on this road.

The distances are as follows (in kms)

Photo Gallery

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Entrance to the Udawalawe Park	This one is not very happy to see us
not very happy to see us	This is our territory
on the charge	A small herd
Another herd but not as friendly as the first	This herd certainly didn't want us there
May be these two are curious	getting closer
this guy is definetely not happy to see us	a wildbore at the bunglow
A fishing Eagle	Elephants at the lake right in front of our bungalow
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