Sri Lanka is a beautiful island with a wide variety of animals and trees. Also, Sri Lanka is one of the countries with the highest natural beauty in the world. Various wildlife areas in Sri Lanka have been designated as National Parks to enhance the protection of these animals and trees. Yala, Wilpattu, Wasgamuwa, Minneriya, Udawalawe, and Horton Plains can be identified as the main national parks in Sri Lanka.

Udawalawe National Park is the 6th largest animal sanctuary in Sri Lanka, and it was converted into a national park in 1972. During this time, Udawalawe National Park has become one of the most tourist attractions places, and it is a popular place for Safari in Sri Lanka. It is located in the Ratnapura District of Sabaragamuwa Province and Monaragala District of Uva Province. This is a great place to see elephants. The park covers an area of 32,315 hectares, including the Udawalawe Reservoir. It is surrounded by meadows, shrubs, and rivers. Also, this park is home to a large number of animals.

 

Access Roads to Udawalawe National Park

If you come from Colombo,

Colombo→ Rathnapura → Pelmadulla → Barrier (Udawalawe) Junction → 7th Post → Udawalawe National Park.

Colombo → Rathnapura → Pelmadulla → Balangodala → Kaltota → Hambegamuwa → Tanamalwila → 7th Post → Udawalawe National Park.

If you come from Kandy,

Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Badulla → Wellawaya →Tanamalwila → 7th Post → Udawalawe National Park.

If you come from the Southern Province,

Hambantota / Matara → Embilipitiya → Barrier (Udawalawe) Junction → 7th Post → Udawalawe National Park.

If you come from Badulla,

Badulla → Balangoda → Kaltota → Hambegamuwa → Tanamalwila → 7th Post → Udawalawe National Park.

Badulla → Wellawaya →Tanamalwila → 7th Post → Udawalawe National Park.

 

The Climate of Udawalawe National Park

This park which is fed by monsoon is considered as part of the Dry Zone. Also, February to March is a short dry season in this area. Sometimes, this extends from mid-March to late September. But, the dry season will be avoided by the September monsoon. Further, it is fostered by the northeast monsoon from November to mid-January. The annual rainfall of this area is about 1531 mm. Also, the average annual temperature is about 31 degrees Celsius.

 

Plants found in Udawalawe National Park

There are a variety of plants that can be seen in this area due to there being a dry zone as well as a wet ecosystem around the reservoir. In addition to the aquatic vegetative plants such as Kumbuk, there are large plants, like Burutha, Wood-apple (Divul), Ketakeela, Kunumella, and Kirikon. There are many grasslands in the park. Lantana invasive plants also can be found in the park.

 

Animals in the Udawalawe National Park

Elephants and buffaloes are mainly found in the Udawalawe National Park. In addition to that, there can see various animals, including Wild Boar, Spotted deer, Sow Deer, Fox, Mongoose, Pig Rat, Heron, Leopard, Pheasant, and Jungle Cat.

The elephant is the most frequently seen animal in the Udawalawe National Park. There are about 500 elephants in the Park. Elephants are more visible in the morning and evening times.

Also, many different bird species live in the Udawalawe National Park. Dry cock, Cormorant, Haban cock, Sea Looser, and types of eagles are examples. Further, this Park is home to many butterfly species and various reptiles.

 

Camping in Udawalawe National Park

Normally, Udawalawe National Park is open to all tourists from 6.30 am to 5.30 pm. Jeeps can be found near the main entrance for traveling in the Park.

In addition, you can get a camping area located in the Udawalawe National Park for a few days’ tours. For that, permission must be obtained from the Department of Wildlife.

If you get a tourist home or camping area as mentioned earlier, there are several bungalows available for this purpose. These bungalows are Sinuggala, Thibirigasmankada, Weheragolla, and Gonawidwadagala. Pranshadara and Veheramankada are several campsites in the park.