Udawalawe National Park is an important habitat for the elephants and lies on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces in Sri Lanka. About 124 miles from South-east of the capital city. The national park was established to provide a sanctuary for all wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe reservoir and also to protect the catchment of the reservoir. This is a great place to visit if you are a Safari lover. The safari is a great experience where you get to meet lose elephants face to face, at times, they are charging at Jeeps. This is considered one of the must visit places if you venture in Sri-Lanka. The park tour is a great way to see the elephants, water buffalo, Hawks, deers and other rodents endemic to the area.
Path towards the entrance to the park
Entrance to the park
You have to hire a guide with a truck. It would cost you around if you are local about 50 cents and about $20.00 if you are a foreigner. One thing I didn’t understand, we both were in the same truck and saw the same park. 🙂 You still have to pay for the guide and the truck separately.
Going deep inside the park
Lake inside the park area
herd of Buffalo bathing in the lake
first elephants sight, running away from us
We were told that there are approximately 400 elephants living in the national park. It’s not unusual to see a lot of elephants at any time of the year. They are pretty much everywhere.
More elephants
Getting really inside the park
Changing sceneries in the park
More elephants coming towards us, they were later charging at Us
Lake with its dead trees
Our guide who knew a lot about the park
Our way out of the Park
