{"id":9248,"date":"2022-12-01T17:36:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-01T16:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/travelsloth.de\/safari-im-udawalawe-nationalpark\/"},"modified":"2024-09-04T19:39:56","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T17:39:56","slug":"udawalawe-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travelsloth.de\/en\/udawalawe-sri-lanka\/","title":{"rendered":"Sri Lanka’s Udawalawe National Park – Home of the Indian Elephants"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Safari in Udawalawe National Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As passionate animal lovers, we couldn\u2019t miss the opportunity to go on a safari in the country with the highest elephant density. While it was my second safari in Udawalawe National Park, it was Naomi’s first experience. To make the most of it, we opted for a full-day tour to spend as much time as possible with the wild animals. In this post, you’ll find all the important information to be well-prepared for a safari in Udawalawe National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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General Information about Udawalawe National Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Udawalawe National Park is located in southern Sri Lanka, north of the Tangalle coastal region and south of Nuwara Eliya. Covering over 30,000 hectares, it is one of the largest national parks in the country. The park can only be accessed with specially equipped safari jeeps that have seating on the rear platform. There are predefined sandy tracks where the safaris take place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What animals can you see in Udawalawe National Park?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Udawalawe National Park is renowned for its large elephant herds. It\u2019s almost impossible not to encounter a wild elephant here. During our safari, we spotted around 20 elephants. With a bit of luck, you might also see leopards. Other animals in the park include water buffalo, eagles, deer, sambar deer, crocodiles, wild cats, mongooses, kingfishers, pelicans, peacocks, agamid lizards, snakes, and many more. A particular highlight was watching two elephants bathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Safari Options Are Available in Udawalawe National Park?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are four different safari options available in Udawalawe National Park. The prices are charged per jeep, and you can arrange specific timings with the drivers if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Option 1:<\/strong> Morning Safari: 5:45 AM to 10:00 AM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Option 2:<\/strong> Afternoon Safari: 2:30 PM to 6:15 PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Option 3:<\/strong> Full-Day Safari: 5:45 AM to 2:00 PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Option 4:<\/strong> Full-Day Safari: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which safari is right for you? For a unique experience, I recommend the morning safari or the full-day safari that starts early in the morning. It\u2019s a special experience to witness the sunrise and see the park come to life. With the full-day safaris, you venture deeper into the park, and by noon, you often have the park almost to yourself, as most tourists opt for half-day tours. For instance, we had an hour to watch elephants bathing without any disturbances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tip:<\/strong> If you’re looking for a knowledgeable and friendly guide, we highly recommend Bandara. We did a full-day safari with him and were thrilled. You can contact him directly at +94 76 772 4488 to book the safari. If you mention that you are coming from us (Julian and Naomi), you’ll receive a free coconut to drink during the safari.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What Does a Safari in Udawalawe National Park Cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cost of a safari in Udawalawe National Park consists of the jeep rental and the park entrance fee. A jeep with a guide costs \u20ac20 for the half-day tours and \u20ac40 for the full-day tours. This price is split among the participants. On-site, you can also find others to share the jeep with and save on costs. The park entrance fee decreases with more participants. For the full-day tour, we paid about \u20ac80, including the park entrance fee, for two people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Accommodation in Udawalawe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no shortage of accommodation options in Udawalawe. Highly recommended is Ajith\u2019s Green Park Safari, where you can stay in a well-equipped treehouse. The treehouse costs \u20ac20 per night and offers a unique nature experience. You can contact Ajith directly via WhatsApp at +94 718576973 to save on booking fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Do You Need for a Safari in Udawalawe National Park?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n