15 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Visiting Udawalawe National Park

Visiting Udawalawe National Park was one of the best decisions I made on my Sri Lanka trip, but it wasn’t actually part of my original plan.

While researching the best way to get from Ella to Ahangama, I found a transfer that included a safari stop before dropping me off on the south coast.

It was absolutely perfect, and honestly, it turned what would have been a rather boring travel day into one of my favourite Sri Lanka experiences.

But there are definitely a few things to know before visiting Udawalawe National Park, from extra entrance fees and early starts to the type of wildlife you’re most likely to see. 

P.S. Get to know more about me and my blog here.

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Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting Udawalawe National Park

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary of the most important things to know before visiting Udawalawe National Park:

• Udawalawe is one of the best national parks in Sri Lanka for seeing elephants.
• It’s a great safari stop if you’re travelling from Ella to the south coast.
• Morning safaris start early, but the morning light and cooler temperatures are worth it.
• Park entrance fees are often paid separately, even if you book a tour online.
• The landscape is drier, more open, and savannah-like than jungle-like.
• October can be a beautiful time to visit, but the weather can change quickly.
• Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, even in an elephant-focused park.
• Udawalawe is brilliant for birds, crocodiles, monkeys, deer, jackals and smaller wildlife too.
• A good safari guide makes a huge difference.
• Jeeps aren’t always filled up, so solo travellers shouldn’t rely on the safari being a social group experience.
• Bring snacks and water, as food options are limited at the entrance.
• Pack for an early morning chill, dust, sun and bumpy jeep tracks.
• Confirm which entrance you’re using and where your tour drops you afterwards.
• The Elephant Transit Home is an optional add-on, not the same as the safari.
• Udawalawe is a good Yala alternative if you want a less-touristy experience.

Keep reading for more details and my honest tips from my visit to Udawalawe.

If you’re still comparing transport options, I’ve written a full guide on how to get from Ella to Ahangama, including the bus, taxi, shuttle and safari transfer options.

You can also browse my Sri Lanka travel guides if you’re still piecing together your itinerary.

🏨 Accommodation // Where To Stay In Ella // 9.3+ ratings
Budget-friendly: Ella Ceylonka | Mid-Range: Secret View Homestay | Boho-Escape: Arawe Retreat

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Is Udawalawe National Park Worth Visiting?

Yes, I think Udawalawe National Park is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you want to see elephants in Sri Lanka without going too far off the classic backpacking route.

For me, Udawalawe was the perfect safari stop between Ella and Ahangama. 

I didn’t have enough time to spend the night near the park, but I still wanted a proper wildlife experience during my Sri Lanka trip. Booking this safari transfer meant I could explore Udawalawe in the morning, and still reach the coast by lunchtime.

What I liked most was how calm it felt. I visited in early October, and during my safari, we barely saw other vehicles. There were no moments where the wildlife felt surrounded.

That said, I do think it’s worth arriving with realistic expectations.

Udawalawe is known for its elephants, but that doesn’t mean you’ll see endless herds of them. I saw one small family of elephants near the start and one single elephant towards the end, which was lovely, but I did expect to see more. 

For me, Udawalawe was worth it because of the whole experience: the early morning light, the dry open landscapes, the wetlands, the birdlife, the monkeys, the crocodiles, the quiet tracks and the fact that I turned a travel day into a proper adventure.

👉BOOK: If this sounds good and you want to turn your travel day into a wildlife experience like I did, I booked my trip through Get Your Guide: Ella to South Coast with Udawalawe National Park stop.

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Things To Know Before Visiting Udawalawe National Park

I loved my morning safari, but it was drier, quieter and less elephant-filled than I expected, with a few little surprises along the way.

It also meant I arrived on the south coast early enough to start exploring, so if Ahangama is your next stop, my things to do in Ahangama guide is a good one to read next.

So, after visiting Udawalawe National Park, these are the things I think are most useful to know before you go, plus what I’d do differently next time.

1. Udawalawe Is More About Elephants Than Leopards

One of the biggest things to know before visiting Udawalawe National Park is that it’s much more of an elephant-focused safari than a leopard-focused one.

Yala National Park is the famous leopard park in Sri Lanka, and that’s one of the reasons so many people choose it. Udawalawe, on the other hand, is much better known for elephants, open landscapes and a generally calmer safari experience.

And that’s why I chose it. I wasn’t desperate to tick off a leopard sighting, especially as there’s never any guarantee with wildlife. 

I did see elephants, including a small family with a baby crossing the track in front of us, which was one of my favourite moments of the whole morning.

Pro tip: If seeing elephants is your main priority, Udawalawe is a brilliant choice. If seeing a leopard is your dream wildlife moment, you may want to compare it with Yala before booking.

2. Udawalawe Works Brilliantly Between Ella And The South Coast

I didn’t visit Udawalawe as a separate overnight stop. I visited it on the way from Ella to Ahangama, and honestly, this was one of the smartest itinerary choices I made in Sri Lanka.

Read next: If you’re still planning the hill-country part of your route, I’d suggest reading my guides to the best things to do in Ella and my 2 days in Ella itinerary first, as they’ll help you plan your trip.

Getting from Ella to the south coast can be a long travel day. If you’re going by public transport, you’ll likely need to deal with buses, changes and a fair bit of waiting around. 

I was travelling on a backpacker budget, so the bus was tempting, but I also only had a short amount of time in Sri Lanka and didn’t want to lose a whole day just moving from one place to another.

The safari transfer solved that problem beautifully.

Pro tip: From there, you can continue to Ahangama, Hiriketiya, Mirissa, or Galle, but if you’re following a similar route to mine, start with my “is Ahangama worth visiting” travel guide or my 4-day Ahangama itinerary.

3. The Morning Safari Is Worth The Painfully Early Wake-Up

My pick-up from Ella was at 4 am, which is not exactly glamorous. Nobody looks their best being hauled out of bed in the middle of the night, especially with a backpack and half-closed eyes.

But the early start made sense.

If you’re arriving in Ella by train before doing this route, my Kandy to Ella train guide covers seats, booking tips and what to expect on that famous journey.

We reached Udawalawe National Park just before 6 am. The animals are more active in the mornings, and the whole experience felt calm before the day properly heated up.

My safari ran from 6 am to 10 am, which felt like a good amount of time. It was long enough to explore different landscapes in the park, but not so long that I was desperate to escape the jeep.

Pro tip: If you’re coming from Ella, accept that it’s going to be an early start and prepare the night before.

4. The Park Entrance Fee Is Often Paid Separately

This is one of the most important practical things to know before visiting Udawalawe National Park: your tour price usually doesn’t include the national park entrance fee.

When I booked my safari transfer, I paid seventy-ish for the tour itself. However, the entrance fee for Udawalawe National Park was paid separately upon arrival. For me, this was $36.

This is worth knowing because the headline tour price can look more affordable until you realise the park fee is extra.

There was also the option to visit the Elephant Transit Home afterwards, which cost around $7 extra when I visited. I decided not to add this on because I was happy with the safari itself and ready to continue to Ahangama.

Pro tip: Before booking any Udawalawe safari, check exactly what is included: transfer, jeep, guide, park entry, taxes, optional add-ons, food and drop-off location. 

👉BOOK: I loved this tour because it let me see Udawalawe National Park, enjoy a morning safari and still reach Ahangama by lunchtime. For me, it was absolutely worth the splurge.

5. The Landscape Is Drier And More Open Than You Might Expect

Before visiting Udawalawe, I think I expected something more jungle-like. In reality, the park felt much drier and more open than I imagined.

At the start of October, the landscape was semi-arid, with dusty tracks, grasslands, thorny shrubland, scattered forest, wetlands and wide views around the Udawalawe Reservoir. 

It reminded me more of a dry, savannah-like landscape than the lush green scenery around Ella.

I visited at the end of the dry season. That may have added to the sun-baked feel of the park, but from what I understand, Udawalawe is naturally more open and dry than people might expect if they’re imagining dense jungle.

I actually loved the contrast.

Pro tip: Don’t expect jungle. Expect dirt tracks, open grasslands, scrub, lakes, wetlands and big skies.

6. October Can Be A Beautiful Time To Visit, But Weather Can Shift

Since I was in Udawalawe at the start of October, the park still felt very warm, but this time of year sits around the transition from the dry season into wetter, more humid months.

I found the landscapes beautiful, there was still water in the wetlands and lakes, and the scenery around the reservoir was gorgeous.

But it could have been pouring down, and conditions can change depending on the season. The good thing about Udawalawe is that it’s considered a year-round safari destination, especially for elephants. 

Pro tip: Don’t overthink the “perfect” month too much, but do pack for heat, sun and possible humidity. A morning safari is usually more comfortable than heading out in the middle of the day.

7. You Might Not See As Many Elephants As You Expect

This one surprised me a little.

Udawalawe is famous for elephants, so I think part of me expected to see elephants everywhere: elephants by the lake, elephants on the track, elephants having a little social gathering like they’d received my itinerary in advance.

In reality, I saw one small family of elephants quite early in the safari and one lone elephant towards the end.

The first sighting was beautiful. The family was tucked into the trees at first, then slowly crossed the path in front of us, a baby in tow. There were only a couple of other jeeps nearby, so the moment felt quiet and respectful rather than crowded.

I would have liked to see more elephants, but I also think this is a good reminder that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Even in a national park known for elephants, every safari is different.

Pro tip: Go in hoping for elephants, but don’t make your whole experience depend on one type of sighting. Some of my favourite moments were with smaller animals and birds.

8. Udawalawe Isn’t Just About Elephants

During my safari, we saw so many animals. 

I have the list: peacocks, bee-eaters, Sri Lankan junglefowl, spotted deer, spoonbills, egrets, crocodiles, grey langurs, macaques, serpent eagle, golden jackal, greater coucal, mongoose, hare, crested hawk-eagle, common garden lizard and even a tiny baby tortoise on the road.

The birdlife especially surprised me. I’m not usually someone who plans a trip around birds, but in Udawalawe I found myself getting excited about the colours and little flashes of movement.

I also loved seeing the monkeys. We saw macaques drinking from little puddles along the track and babies clinging to trees.

Pro tip: Bring binoculars if you have them, especially for birds and crocodiles around the wetlands. Our guide had some, and they made a big difference.

9. A Good Safari Guide Makes A Huge Difference

One of the things that made my Udawalawe safari so enjoyable was the guide. He was excellent at spotting wildlife, including things I would never have noticed on my own. 

He spotted a tiny baby tortoise on the road, and a common garden lizard tucked into a tree beside us when we had stopped to let another vehicle pass.

Those little sightings made the safari feel more special.

Anyone can point out an elephant if it’s standing in the middle of the road, but noticing the smaller creatures takes real skill. I loved that he paid attention to the whole park.

He also shared information about the wildlife as we went, which helped me understand what I was seeing rather than just taking photos and moving on.

Pro tip: Reviews matter. I paid more for a tour with better reviews, and I’m glad I did. A good guide can completely change the feel of the safari.

10. The Jeeps Aren’t Always Filled Up

One thing I noticed as we drove around Udawalawe National Park was that quite a few of the safari jeeps only had one or two people in them.

Mine was the same. There were only two of us in the jeep, and from what I could see, they weren’t trying to fill every vehicle with a full group of travellers. 

This was lovely in terms of space, comfort and not feeling packed in, but it’s worth knowing if you’re visiting Udawalawe solo and hoping the safari will be a little more social.

If you’re travelling alone and want to meet other people, I wouldn’t necessarily rely on the safari jeep being the place where that happens. 

Pro tip: If socialising is important to you, ask the tour company before booking whether they group solo travellers together or whether you’re likely to have a private or semi-private jeep.

11. Bring Snacks and Plenty Of Water

There were snacks and drinks available at the entrance when I arrived, but I wouldn’t rely on this as your main breakfast plan.

The stalls had packaged snacks and drinks, but I didn’t really fancy anything sweet at that time in the morning –  there were no fruits. This was fine, but by the end of the safari, I was definitely ready for food.

If I did it again, I’d bring some snacks with me: maybe bananas, a pastry, nuts, or something easy to eat. 

I’d also bring more water than you think you’ll need. Even in the morning, it gets warm quickly, and the safari lasts several hours.

12. Pack For an Early Morning Chill, Dust, and Strong Sun

Udawalawe is one of those places where you need to dress for a few different moments in one morning.

Leaving Ella at 4 am was cold, and the aircon was on full blast. But once you’re inside Udawalawe and the sun rises, it warms up quickly. 

I talk more about planning your time in the hill country in my things I wish I knew before visiting Ella guide, which is useful if you’re still working out your route before heading south.

I’d suggest wearing light, breathable clothes, but bringing a thin jumper or long-sleeved layer for the early drive.

Pro tip: Wear neutral colours if you can. Bright white clothes and dusty jeep tracks are not exactly best friends.

13. Confirm Your Entrance And Drop-Off Before You Go

Udawalawe National Park has more than one entrance, so it’s worth confirming where your safari starts, especially if you’re arranging transport yourself.

I used the main/west entrance near the Udawalawe Dam area, off the Thanamalwila road. 

If you’re booking a transfer tour, also confirm your final drop-off point clearly.

The tour I booked mentioned drop-offs around Tangalle, Mirissa and Galle, but I was going to Ahangama. Everything worked smoothly, but I made sure the destination was understood.

My first driver waited with me until the second driver arrived, which I really appreciated. I never felt abandoned or unsure about what was happening.

Pro tip: Send your pick-up and drop-off locations on WhatsApp before the trip, and screenshot the booking details in case you lose signal.

14. The Elephant Transit Home Is An Optional Add-On

The Elephant Transit Home is a popular stop near Udawalawe, but it isn’t the same thing as going on safari inside the national park.

When I arrived at the park entrance, we were asked if we wanted to visit the Elephant Transit Home afterwards. It was an optional add-on and cost around $7 when I visited.

I decided not to go, but it’s worth knowing it’s an option; you might want to do some research into its ethical implications.

Pro tip: If the Elephant Transit Home is important to you, check the feeding times before booking your safari schedule. It may not automatically fit into every transfer day.

15. Choose Udawalawe Over Yala If You Want A Calmer Elephant-Focused Safari

I did compare Udawalawe with Yala before booking, and Yala was cheaper at the time. The Yala safari transfer option I found was around £50, about £20 cheaper than the Udawalawe option. 

So why didn’t I choose Yala?

Mainly because Udawalawe sounded more like the experience I wanted. Yala is more famous, especially for leopards, but I’d read enough about it being busy to feel unsure. 

I didn’t want a safari that felt rushed, crowded or too focused on everyone chasing one animal sighting.

Udawalawe appealed to me because it sounded quieter, more relaxed and more elephant-focused. And for my travel style, it was the right choice. 

Pro tip: Choose Udawalawe if you want elephants, birds, open landscapes and a calmer feel. Choose Yala if leopard sightings are your biggest priority, and you don’t mind a busier safari experience.

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End Note: Things To Know Before Visiting Udawalawe National Park

I’m really glad I visited Udawalawe National Park, and I’m even happier that I did it as part of a transfer day from Ella to Ahangama.

For me, the biggest things to know before visiting Udawalawe National Park are to budget properly, book a well-reviewed guide, manage your wildlife expectations and prepare for a very early start.

If you’re travelling between Ella and the south coast and want to turn a long transfer into something memorable, I think Udawalawe is a brilliant choice.

👉BOOK: If you’re leaving Ella and heading towards Ahangama, Mirissa, Tangalle or the south coast, this is such a brilliant way to make the journey feel like part of the adventure.

Thank you for reading my post. You can find my latest stories and articles on my blog homepage here. Follow me on Instagram (@abigailcarolina.dalton) and Facebook to see what I’m getting up to and where my upcoming trips are.

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FAQs About Visiting Udawalawe National Park

Is Udawalawe National Park worth visiting?

Yes, I think Udawalawe National Park is worth visiting, especially if you want to see elephants in Sri Lanka or fit a safari into a route between Ella and the south coast. It felt calm, scenic and wildlife-rich when I visited.

What is Udawalawe National Park known for?

Udawalawe National Park is best known for elephants. It’s also home to crocodiles, monkeys, deer, buffalo, jackals, mongoose, reptiles and lots of birdlife.

How long do you need for an Udawalawe safari?

Most morning safaris last around 3 to 4 hours. My safari ran from 6 am to 10 am, which felt like a good amount of time to explore different areas of the park without feeling too long.

Is the Udawalawe entrance fee included in safari tours?

Not always. For the GetYourGuide tour I booked, the national park entrance fee was paid separately at the entrance and cost around $36 when I visited. Always check what’s included before booking.