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A private full-day run from Colombo to Udawalawe, the most reliable park in Sri Lanka for wild elephants, combined with a visit to the Elephant Transit Home where orphaned calves are fed.
Highlights
- Three-hour open-jeep game drive in Sri Lanka's most reliable elephant park
- Watch the milk feeding of orphaned calves at the Elephant Transit Home
- Open grassland and reservoir terrain that makes for clear wildlife viewing
- Strong raptor and waterbird sightings along the tank edges
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup from Colombo
Udawalawe Elephant Safari and Transit Home Private Day Trip: Key Facts
| Price | From $156 per person |
|---|---|
| Duration | Full day |
| Group size | Up to 6 people |
| Languages | English |
| Tour type | Guided Tour |
| Booking | Direct with the local operator — no OTA markup |
Full description
If you want to see wild elephants in Sri Lanka and you only have one day, Udawalawe is the sensible choice. The park was created in the 1970s around a reservoir built for the Walawe river scheme, and the resulting mix of open grassland, scrub and water holds a resident elephant population of several hundred. The terrain is open, which means you actually see them rather than hearing them move through thick forest.
It is around two and a half to three hours from Colombo by road, so this is a full day rather than a half one, and an early departure is what makes the morning game drive possible. The drive runs inland through Ratnapura gem country and out towards the dry zone.
The game drive itself lasts about three hours in an open jeep. Herds with calves are common along the reservoir edge and around the tank bunds, and older bulls are often seen alone. Udawalawe is also good for raptors: crested serpent eagles, changeable hawk-eagles and grey-headed fish eagles all breed here. Water buffalo, spotted deer, jackal and crocodile round out the list, and leopards exist but are rarely seen in this park.
The Elephant Transit Home sits just outside the park boundary and is a different proposition from the more commercial elephant attractions on the island. Orphaned calves are raised here with minimal human contact and released back into the wild in batches, which is why there is no riding, bathing or touching. Visitors watch the milk feeding from a viewing platform at set times.
Transport is private and air-conditioned throughout, and your driver handles park permits and jeep arrangements at the entrance.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Departure from Colombo
Early pickup for the drive inland towards Udawalawe.
Udawalawe National Park
Three-hour open-jeep game drive.
Elephant Transit Home
Viewing platform for the milk feeding of orphaned calves.
Lunch stop
Time for a meal at a local restaurant at your own cost.
Drive back
Return to Colombo, arriving in the evening.
Detailed Itinerary
[{"time": "05:30", "title": "Hotel pickup", "description": "Early start from Colombo. The road runs inland through Ratnapura, the gem-mining district, before dropping towards the dry zone."}, {"time": "08:15", "title": "Park entrance", "description": "Transfer into an open safari jeep. Your driver arranges permits at the gate."}, {"time": "08:30", "title": "Game drive", "description": "Around three hours working the grassland tracks and the reservoir edge. Elephant herds with calves are the main event; look also for buffalo, spotted deer, jackal, crocodile and a long list of raptors."}, {"time": "11:45", "title": "Exit and short transfer", "description": "Back to the vehicle and a few minutes' drive to the Elephant Transit Home."}, {"time": "12:00", "title": "Milk feeding", "description": "Orphaned calves are fed at set times from a viewing platform. There is no contact with the animals here, by design; they are being prepared for release."}, {"time": "13:00", "title": "Lunch", "description": "A break at a local restaurant before the long drive back."}, {"time": "14:00", "title": "Return to Colombo", "description": "Roughly three hours on the road, arriving back in the evening."}]
Includes
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver; hotel pickup and drop-off in Colombo; open safari jeep for the game drive; bottled water; fuel, tolls and parking.
Excludes
- National park entrance and jeep permit fees; Elephant Transit Home entrance; meals and drinks; gratuities; personal expenses.
Important information
Meeting point
Hotel pickup in Colombo, confirmed after booking.
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts
About this activity
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Traveler Reviews
Chamidu was a driver, picked up as informed via what app, it took about 3 hours to get to the park where we transferred to a 4x4, we were informed we didn't need a local guide, but we were approached and he said if he did a good job would we give him a tip, he was worth a tip as he spotted a few animals that we would have never seen including a herd of elephants off track behind trees, wow it was truly amazing. We then went to the Elephant Sanctuary, what an amazing job they do with the orphaned elephants 🐘, the little ones running up for a drink and something to eat was a magical moment
The whole day was really nice and impressive, with lots of experiences and impressions. Our driver picked us up and gave us a lot of information. Our son also felt very comfortable. Our driver's brother then drove us to the national park in the 4x4 jeep, and we were able to see several elephants up close. Also pigs, monkeys up close, and various birds. It was a really nice day. Highly recommended.