Tucked between the southern plains and the central highlands of Sri Lanka, Udawalawe is a place where the land remembers. Here, the cries of elephants echo across open grasslands, crocodiles bask beneath the sun-drenched banks of ancient reservoirs, and the rhythm of life flows with the Walawe River. More than a national park, Udawalawe is a sanctuary of resilience—born from displacement, shaped by water, and revered for its raw, unfiltered beauty.
The name Udawalawe is a compound of “Uda” (upper), “Walawe” (referring to the Walawe River), and “wewa” (reservoir). It translates to “the upper Walawe basin”, a nod to the region’s geography and its lifeblood—the Walawe River. The river, which originates in the central highlands, was dammed in the 1960s to create the Udawalawe Reservoir, a massive body of water that not only irrigates the southern plains but also gave birth to the national park.
The park was officially declared in 1972, not only to protect the displaced wildlife from the reservoir’s construction but also to preserve one of the island’s most vital elephant corridors. Today, Udawalawe stands as a symbol of coexistence between conservation and development, a rare success story in the global narrative of protected areas.
Udawalawe is often described as Sri Lanka’s best park for elephant sightings, and for good reason. With over 600 wild elephants roaming its 308 square kilometers, sightings are not just likely—they’re virtually guaranteed.
Animals You Can Encounter in Udawalawe:
The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 200 species of birds, including migratory raptors, kingfishers, and the endemic Sri Lanka junglefowl.
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Udawalawe’s accommodation scene blends eco-conscious design, rustic charm, and safari elegance. Top-rated options include:
While Africa boasts the Masai Mara and India the Kaziranga, Udawalawe offers something uniquely Sri Lankan:
in short, Udawalawe is Asia’s answer to Amboseli, with elephants as its soul and water as its heartbeat.
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