Udawalawe National Park: elephants on the grasslands, and the Transit Home next door
Udawalawe became a national park in 1972 to protect the reservoir's catchment and its wildlife. It is best known for elephants, usually seen in herds feeding out on the grasslands.
Beside the park, the DWC Elephant Transit Home rehabilitates orphaned calves for release. It is a conservation project, not an attraction.
- Declared
1972, to protect the fauna and the Udawalawe reservoir catchment
Source: Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council tourism, Udawalawa · Last checked: 23 Oct 2026
- Managed by
DWC
Source: IWMI wetland profile (archived) · Last checked: 23 Oct 2026
- Elephant Transit Home
Set up by DWC in 1995 to rehabilitate orphaned calves and release them; first release 1998
Source: Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council tourism, Udawalawa; IUCN SSC · Last checked: 23 Oct 2026
- Signature wildlife
Elephant herds on the grasslands; water birds on the reservoir
Source: Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council tourism, Udawalawa; IWMI wetland profile (archived) · Last checked: 23 Oct 2026
- Hours
06:00–18:00
Source: Gazette 2292/11 · Last checked: 23 Oct 2026
- Fee category
Category I ("Uda Walawe"). Fees set by DWC; check before you go
Source: Gazette 2292/11 · Last checked: 23 Oct 2026
Why is Udawalawe known for elephants?
A large reservoir and wide open grassland mean the herds are often feeding out in the open.
What is the Elephant Transit Home?
DWC has run it since 1995 to rehabilitate orphaned calves, with releases since 1998. The calves are raised to go back to the wild, and visitors watch from a distance: no touching, bathing or rides.
Whether to visit is covered in our ethical safari code.
Which months suit Udawalawe?
In the dry months herds tend to gather near water.(Reported · last checked 23 Oct 2026)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Good | Good | Good |
Should you feed elephants at the park fence?
No. Feeding is prohibited (SLTDA vehicle safari guideline 2.5), and it harms the animals.
How does Udawalawe fit into a trip?
It sits naturally alongside Yala on a route through the south.
Questions
Will I see elephants at Udawalawe?
Elephants are what the park is known for, and herds are usually seen feeding on the grasslands, but no sighting can be promised.
Udawalawe or Yala: which suits me?
Choose Udawalawe for elephants out on open grassland, and Yala for leopards and a broader mix of wildlife.
Can I feed or touch the elephants at Udawalawe?
No. Feeding wildlife is prohibited under the SLTDA vehicle safari guideline (2.5).
Related
Sources
Reviewed by Lux Ceylon · last checked 23 Oct 2026 · Sources ↓