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Udawalawe Through Our Lens
Real moments captured on our Udawalawe Safari tours. Click any photo to view full screen.
If seeing wild elephants is on your bucket list, Udawalawe National Park is your destination. Established in 1972 as a sanctuary for elephants displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir, this 308 sq km park is home to an estimated 500–800 wild Asian elephants — one of the highest densities anywhere in Asia.
Unlike denser jungle parks, Udawalawe's open grasslands, scrublands, and the spectacular reservoir make wildlife spotting remarkably easy — and elephant sightings are virtually guaranteed on every safari. Diwan Tours takes care of everything, from your hotel transfer to coordinating your private jeep safari, so you can simply enjoy this extraordinary wildlife encounter.
See herds of 20–100 elephants grazing, bathing in the reservoir, and tending to adorable calves. An unforgettable spectacle.
A small family of leopards calls Udawalawe home. Elusive, but an experienced guide maximises your chances of spotting one.
Massive herds of wild water buffalo roam Udawalawe's open plains — an impressive and often overlooked highlight.
Ancient reptiles basking on the banks of the Udawalawe Reservoir — spotted on almost every safari near water.
Over 50 bird species including spectacular peacocks, painted storks, crested serpent eagles, and rare migratory waterbirds.
Sambar deer, spotted deer, and wild boar are plentiful — often seen grazing alongside the park's elephant herds.
Your private AC vehicle departs early — dawn is the most magical time to witness elephants emerging from the forest to graze in golden morning mist near the reservoir.
Your private 4x4 jeep and expert naturalist guide enter the park at first light. The open terrain means elephant herds are visible from the moment you pass through the gates.
Your guide navigates the grasslands and reservoir banks where large elephant herds gather at dawn. Watch mothers with calves, tusker bulls, and family groups going about their morning routines just metres from your jeep.
Head to the Udawalawe Reservoir — a magnet for wildlife. Spot crocodiles basking on the banks, water buffalo wallowing in the shallows, and peacocks displaying among the trees.
After the safari, visit the Ath Athuru Sevana Elephant Transit Home — a rehabilitation centre for orphaned elephant calves. Watch feeding time and learn about conservation efforts. (Entrance fee applies.)
Head back to your hotel, memories made and camera full — the morning's elephant encounters will stay with you long after you leave Sri Lanka.
Your vehicle departs after lunch for the afternoon safari. The temperature begins to ease as you travel towards Udawalawe.
Afternoon is when elephants re-emerge from shaded areas to the open grasslands and reservoir as temperatures cool. A great time for active herd movements and photography.
Navigate the reservoir circuit and open plains where herds congregate in the late afternoon. Crocodiles, buffalo, and birdlife are also most visible near the water at this time.
The golden hour light transforms the park into a photographer's dream. Watch elephants bathing at the reservoir's edge as the sun dips towards the horizon.
Exit the park at sunset and begin the comfortable drive back to your hotel, glowing from a truly unforgettable afternoon in the wild.
An early departure to be among the first vehicles into the park — maximising your wildlife encounter time and chances of spotting the park's elusive leopards.
Begin with the prime morning hours, navigating elephant trails, forest edges, and grasslands. The mist over the reservoir at dawn is a sight that will take your breath away.
Enjoy a packed breakfast in a scenic spot inside the park — surrounded by birdsong, the distant trumpeting of elephants, and the gentle sounds of the Sri Lankan wilderness.
Push into less-visited areas of the park where leopards are most likely to be sighted. Your guide's expert knowledge of the terrain gives you the best possible chances of rare encounters.
A midday break with a packed lunch. Elephants retreat to the shade during peak heat — a perfect time to rest, hydrate, and review your morning's photographs.
Visit the nearby Ath Athuru Sevana Elephant Transit Home. Watch feeding sessions where adorable orphaned calves drink from giant milk bottles — one of Sri Lanka's most heartwarming wildlife experiences.
Return to the park for the golden afternoon hours. The reservoir comes alive again with elephant herds, crocodiles, and spectacular birdlife as the temperature drops.
A full day immersed in the wild. Head back to your hotel as the sun sets, your heart full and your camera card even fuller.
Just a short drive from the park entrance, the Ath Athuru Sevana Elephant Transit Home is one of the most emotionally moving wildlife experiences in Sri Lanka. Established by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, this facility rehabilitates orphaned, injured, and abandoned elephant calves with the ultimate goal of releasing them back into the wild.
Watching feeding time — when keepers hand-feed giant bottles of milk to tiny, playful calves — is an experience that moves even the most seasoned travellers.
Dry season, excellent visibility. Elephants gather at the reservoir in large numbers. Ideal for photography.
Peak dry season — the very best time. Elephants are concentrated near water and sightings are most dramatic.
Inter-monsoon period. Some rain possible but elephant sightings remain excellent year-round at Udawalawe.
Northeastern monsoon brings more rainfall to the region. The park remains open but some tracks may be muddy.
💡 Unlike Yala, Udawalawe stays open year-round with no seasonal closure — and elephant sightings are virtually guaranteed in every season.
Real moments captured on our Udawalawe Safari tours. Click any photo to view full screen.
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