The Ultimate Guide to the Udawalawe National Park Safari with Elephant Transit Home Visit in Uva Province

Visiting the stunning Udawalawe National Park is an experience you won’t soon forget. As you travel through the park, you’ll be able to observe all the incredible wildlife, and particularly elephants, in this diverse and beautiful landscape. One of the highlights of a visit to Udawalawe is the opportunity to have a close encounter with elephants. To maximize your experience, you should consider a safari and visit to the Elephant Transit Home, both located within the park. Here’s the ultimate guide to help you plan your visit.

What Is Udawalawe National Park?

Udawalawe National Park is located along the borders of Southern Sri Lanka in Uva Province and it covers a total of 30,821 hectares. Established in 1972, the park is known for its elephants, who account for around 500 of the park’s population of 1,100 animals. Amongst other types of fauna, the park also houses water buffaloes, sambar deer, and occasional leopards are also seen.
Udawalawe is also well known for its wildlife because of its evident vegetation, including several types of grasses, shrubs, and trees such as palm, karamba, and ehela trees. The Yala Fire of Yala National Park, located near Udawalawe, in 2006 resulted in an influx of wild animals into the park.

What Is an Elephant Safari Visit?

An elephant safari visit is a unique way to explore Udawalawe National Park. Your elephant safari will include an expert mahout and you can go for morning or evening safaris, which last between two and three hours. Here you will have a very intimate experience with the wildlife; you may even witness elephants bathing in a nearby lake. It is advised to book your ticket at least one day in advance. On average, an elephant safari visit lasts three hours, during which you will be able to observe elephants at close range and spot many different species of birds and animals as well.

What Is the Elephant Transit Home?

The Elephant Transit Home (ETH) is a refuge for orphaned and injured elephants; it’s a sanctuary built by the Sri Lankan government in association with the Born Free Foundation and funded by the Swedish government. Since its establishment in 1995, ETH has taken in more than 200 orphaned baby elephants from all parts of Sri Lanka.
The home provides a safe refuge for these baby elephants until they reach adulthood and can be re-released into the wild. ETH has 3 hectares of land where these rescued elephants are provided with food and water, as well as open-air barns where they are kept until they are old enough to be reintroduced into the wild.

How Can I Get to Udawalawe National Park?

You can get to Udawalawe National Park by bus, tuk-tuk (3-wheelers), or taxi from any nearby city. Depending on which city you are coming from, the journey will take from two to three hours. Many tour groups offer transport packages from the major cities to Udawalawe National Park for those who don’t want to drive themselves. You can also join one of these groups or book a tour with any hiking/camping club if you would like to share expenses with a group.

Where Should I Stay To Make The Most Of A Safari Visit?

Udawalawe National Park offers some great accommodation options located within the park – one of these being safari campsites which provide unmatched views of the park landscape. Safari campsites vary in size and provide basic amenities such as toilet facilities, running water, and electricity. Experienced campers may want to bring their own tents if they want more freedom and convenience; if not camping near Udawalawe, there is also some great accommodation available near nearby cities such as Embilipitiya or Rathnapura.

Best Times For A Safari Visit

The best times for a safari visit are during late winter when the park’s water levels are low (January to March) or early summer when the landscape is lush (June to August). During the dry season, visitors are likely to see many large mammals gathering around the park’s waterholes, making it easier to spot them from a distance than during other times of year. Winter safaris also offer spectacular sights such as migratory birds which flock from Africa and Asia between January and April.

What Should You Bring For A Safari Visit?

Visitors planning on taking a safari should bring binoculars for getting a closer look at wildlife and wild plants. Visitors should also bring protective clothing like closed-toe shoes, long pants, and long sleeves (in case of encountering any harmful insects) and hats in order to protect themselves from the sun while they explore the park terrain. Sunscreen is always a must! Remember that Udawalawe has a tropical climate which means temperatures can be very warm during the day but make sure to bring a light jacket if planning on going in the late afternoon. If you plan on taking photographs while visiting Udawalawe National Park, remember to bring extra batteries as well as an extra memory card or two to make sure you have enough space for all your pictures!

Summary

Udawalawe National Park offers visitors an unforgettable experience: explore its wildlife on an elephant-back safari or visit the Elephant Transit Home for an up-close encounter with these majestic animals. To get the most out of your visit to Udawalawe National Park, make sure you plan your trip for either late winter or early summer for ideal weather conditions. Before your visit don’t forget to bring along all your must-have items including protective clothing, binoculars and cameras!

If you’re looking to maximize your experience in Udawalawe National Park, why not consider booking an activity package through GetYourGuide? With convenient online booking and everything you need included in one easy package, GetYourGuide will help take the stress out of planning a trip to the park so you can relax and enjoy your time there!