Visit Udawalawe National Park

Welcome, wildlife enthusiasts and students of ecology, to Udawalawe National Park. I am your scholarly guide to one of the most spectacular, biodiverse environments in all of South Asia. …

Before we cross the official boundaries into the wild expanse of the park, we must make a crucial academic and emotional stop at the Elephant Transit Home, located just outside the main gates. This facility represents the…

As our jeep crosses the park boundary and leaves the paved road behind, we immediately plunge into the defining ecosystem of Udawalawe, the dry zone scrub jungle. Unlike the dense, towering canopies of the Sinharaja rainforest,…

While it is natural to scan the horizon for massive mammals, I implore you to occasionally lift your gaze to the sky and the upper branches of the solitary trees. Udawalawe is an ornithologist's absolute paradise, boasting a…

Our jeep now approaches the geographic and ecological heart of the park, the massive Udawalawe Reservoir. This immense body of water, constructed by damming the Walawe River, is the lifeblood of the entire ecosystem. …

We have finally arrived at the defining spectacle of Udawalawe. Emerging from the scrub onto the open grasslands bordering the water, we encounter the Asian Elephant. …

As our safari extends into the later hours, we must be prepared for the dramatic volatility of the Sri Lankan climate. Often, without much warning, the sky will rapidly darken, the wind will violently whip through the scrub, and…

As our jeep bumps along the rutted dirt track back toward the park exit, completely caked in the red dust or mud of Udawalawe, it is time to reflect on the magnitude of what we have witnessed. We have observed the heartbreaking…