Udawalawe National Park

Introducing Udawalawe National Park

With herds of elephants, wild buffalo, sambar deer and leopards, Uda Walawe is the Sri Lankan national park that best rivals the savanna reserves of Africa. The park’s 30, 821 hectares centre on the large Uda Walawe Reservoir, fed by the Walawe Ganga.

The entrance to the park (per person US$12, plus tracker per vehicle Rs 600; 6.30am-6.30pm) is 12km from the Ratnapura–Hambantota road turn-off, and 21km from Embilipitiya. Although most people prefer to take a tour organised by their guesthouse or hotel, if you select a 4WD from one of the many gathered outside the gate, you can expect to pay Rs 1500 for a half-day for up to eight people with driver. Last tickets are usually sold at about 5pm.

Apart from stands of teak near the river, there’s little forest in the park. The tall pohon grass, which grows in place of the forest, can make wildlife-watching difficult, except during dry months.

This is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see elephants – there are about 500 in the park in herds of up to 100. There’s an elephant-proof fence around the perimeter of the park, preventing elephants from getting out and cattle from getting in. The best time to observe elephant herds is from 6.30am to 10am and again from 4pm to 6.30pm; they’re usually near water.

Other creatures that call Uda Walawe home are sambar deer, wild buffaloes (their numbers boosted by domesticated buffaloes), mongooses, bandicoots, foxes, water monitor lizards, crocodiles, sloth bears and the occasional leopard. There are 30 varieties of snake and a wealth of birdlife; northern migrants join the residents between November and April.

A reasonably good little lodge with simple rooms and spacious grounds, Walawa Park View Hotel (047-223 3312; Tanamalwila Rd; r with/without air-con Rs 1400/1000; ) is about 8km from the park on the Embilipitiya road. A 4WD safari costs a reasonable Rs 1500 per half-day.

Walawa Safari Village (047-223 3201; kinjou@dialogsl.net; RB Canal Rd; s/d US$15/18, with air-con US$24/28, all incl breakfast; ) is located 3km south of a small junction on the road from Embilipitiya to Uda Walawe – you’ll see the sign – and 10km from the park entrance. The clean and basic rooms come in a garden setting. Trips to the park from here also cost Rs 1200 per half-day.

The park has four bungalows and three camp sites along the reservoir and the Walawa Ganga. You must prebook with the Department of Wildlife Conservation (011-269 4241; www.dwlc.lk; 18 Gregory’s Rd, Col 7) in Colombo. The bungalows each contain 10 beds; the charge is US$24 per person per day, plus the US$12 park entry, US$2 per group for linen hire and a US$30 per group service charge. You must bring all of your own dry rations and kerosene. Camp sites cost US$6 per site per day, plus a US$6 service charge per trip. Students and children aged between six and 12 years of age pay half-price (kiddies under six are free).

If you’re staying at Embilipitiya and wish to organise a tour at the park, catch a bus heading to Tanamalwila (CTB/intercity express Rs 37/80) and ask to be dropped at the gate to the park.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009