4.9 · 10,000+ reviews50% off the 2026 seasonSri Lanka's elephant capital
Sri Lanka's surest place to watch wild elephants — herds, calves and lone tuskers on almost every drive. Licensed guides, an open 4×4 and free hotel pickup, with honest direct pricing and instant confirmation.
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50% off
2026 season
Rated 4.9 by 10,000+ travellers
GetYourGuide · Viator · TripAdvisor
Best price, direct
Book straight with the operator — no agency mark-up, no middlemen.
Elephants year-round
Near-guaranteed sightings on every game drive, every season.
Licensed guides
Wildlife-department certified drivers who read the herds.
Free hotel pickup
Door-to-door from Udawalawe town and nearby hotels.
Choose your safari
Every tour runs in a 4×4 Toyota Hilux with a licensed guide and free hotel pickup. Prices are live and the 50% season deal is already applied.
Perfect for travellers short on time, our Half-Day Safari offers an unforgettable glimpse into Udawalawe’s rich wildlife.
Perfect for travellers short on time, our Half-Day Safari offers an unforgettable glimpse into Udawalawe’s rich wildlife.
Perfect for travellers short on time, our Half-Day Safari offers an unforgettable glimpse into Udawalawe’s rich wildlife.
Park entrance (~$34/adult, $17/child) payable in cash at the gate, or pre-pay during booking.
What you'll see
One of Asia's best places to see wild Asian elephants — plus a rich supporting cast across open grassland and the great reservoir.
Wild elephant herds
Calves & family groups, year-round
Lone tuskers
Big bulls on the open plains
200+ bird species
Eagles, bee-eaters & waterbirds
Deer, buffalo & crocs
Across the grasslands & tanks
A day in the wild
From a dawn pickup to golden-hour herds, here's how the full-day adventure unfolds.
6:00 am
Hotel pickup
Your driver collects you at first light for the short run to the park gate.
6:30 – 9:00
Morning game drive
Prime elephant hours around the reservoir and open plains.
9:00 am
Picnic breakfast
Served in the bush — watch the herds while you eat.
12:00 – 2:00 pm
Lunch & rest
Break in the shade before the second drive.
2:00 – 5:30 pm
Afternoon game drive
Golden-hour light and elephants heading down to water.
~6:00 pm
Drop-off
Back to your hotel, camera full of memories.
Plan your visit
Local knowledge from the team that has run southern Sri Lanka's safaris since 1987 — so you arrive prepared and leave amazed.
Udawalawe is a rare year-round destination: its resident elephants are visible in every season. The dry months of May to September concentrate wildlife around the reservoir, while the 6:00 am and late-afternoon drives catch the coolest, most active hours. Nearby, the Elephant Transit Home holds public feedings through the day — a lovely add-on to a morning safari.
Booking direct means no agency mark-up: the half-day Udawalawe safari costs $30 per person, the 5-hour tour $45 and the full-day adventure $60 — jeep, driver and licensed guide included. The only extra is the park entrance fee (about $34/adult, $17/child), set by the Department of Wildlife and payable in cash at the gate, or pre-pay it online with your booking.
Udawalawe sits in Sri Lanka’s south-central interior, about 2.5 hours from Yala/Tissamaharamaand roughly an hour from Ella’s hill country. We include free hotel pickup from Udawalawe-area hotels. Travelling from Ella, Tangalle, Mirissa or a Hambantota cruise stop? Our safari + transfer combos collect you, run the game drive and drop you at your next destination.
Short on time? The half-day safaristill all but guarantees elephants in the park’s richest zones. The 5-hour tour ventures deeper for a fuller variety of wildlife. For photographers and families who want the whole story, the full-day safari — with breakfast in the bush and a morning and afternoon drive — is the ultimate Udawalawe experience.
Family-run and licensed since 1987, Ajith Safari Jeep Tours also runs safaris in Yala and the other great national parks of Sri Lanka beyond Udawalawe.
10,000+ five-star reviews
“Our tracker spotted a leopard within the first hour. He knew exactly where to wait — the whole jeep was speechless. Best morning of our Sri Lanka trip.”
“Picked us up in Ella, safari through the park, dropped at our beach hotel by evening. Zero stress and we saw dozens of elephants. Incredible value.”
“Comfortable jeep, flexible timing, and a guide who genuinely loves the wildlife. Booking was simple and the price was honest. Cannot recommend enough.”
Staying further afield?
Coming from Ella, the south coast or a cruise at Hambantota? Do your Udawalawe safari on the way — one seamless day, zero wasted miles.
7 - 8 Hours · from 4:00 AM
11-12 Hours · from 5:00 AM
Keep exploring
One trusted, licensed team since 1987 — pair your trip across Sri Lanka's finest reserves.
Good questions
Our Udawalawe safari prices start from $30 per person for the half-day tour, $45 for the 5-hour tour and $60 for the full-day safari — with the 50% season deal already applied. The only extra is the park entrance fee (about $34 per adult, $17 per child), payable in cash at the gate or pre-paid online. Children get discounted rates and infants ride free.
Book directly on this page in under two minutes: choose your tour, pick a date and start time, add your group and any extras, then enter your details and pay securely by card. You'll receive an instant email confirmation with your pickup time and driver details. Need help? WhatsApp us any time — we reply in minutes.
Udawalawe is famous as one of the most reliable places on earth to see wild Asian elephants — herds, calves and tuskers are seen on almost every drive, in every season. While all wildlife is wild and never 100% guaranteed, your odds of a great elephant encounter here are exceptional.
Elephants are visible year-round. The dry season (May to September) concentrates wildlife around the reservoir, and the early-morning and late-afternoon drives offer the coolest weather and best activity. Mornings are especially good for birdlife.
Park entrance is roughly $34 per adult and $17 per child, set by the Department of Wildlife and payable in cash (local currency) at the gate. It isn't included in the tour price by default, but you can pre-pay it during booking if you'd prefer a cashless experience.
Yes — the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, which rehabilitates orphaned calves, sits right by the park and holds public feeding sessions through the day. It pairs beautifully with a morning safari; just let us know and we'll help you time it.
Yes — free hotel pickup and drop-off is included from hotels in and around Udawalawe. Staying further afield in Ella, the south coast or arriving by cruise at Hambantota? See our safari + transfer combos.
The half-day (about 3 hours) covers the park's most elephant-rich zones. The 5-hour tour goes deeper for more variety. The full-day tour adds both a morning and afternoon game drive with a lunch break — the best odds of the widest range of wildlife.
Absolutely — Udawalawe is a family favourite thanks to its easy, near-guaranteed elephant sightings. Infants ride free and reduced child rates apply. Jeeps seat up to 7 for comfortable, flexible timing.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your safari for a full refund. Book with confidence.
The herd is waiting
Instant confirmation, free hotel pickup and free cancellation. The 50% season deal ends soon.
4.9 · 10,000+ reviews
From $30 / person
