What to see & do
To be honest, there isn’t much to do in Udawalawe National Park besides the safari — but that’s exactly why you go there: for the animals. The park entrance fee was around EUR 30 per person, and the safari itself varied in price depending on the type of tour. If I remember correctly, we paid about EUR 40 per person for a half-day private jeep tour. We booked the tour directly through our accommodation.
We chose a half-day tour early in the morning. We set off at sunrise and were back at our accommodation by late morning. All in all, we were out for about six hours. Our accommodation had packed breakfast for us, which we ate during a short stop inside the park. We were back just in time for lunch and were then able to relax by the pool afterward — a perfect mix of safari and relaxation, really.
As for the wildlife: of course, the elephants are the absolute highlight. But you do see other animals as well. We spotted several peacocks, many different bird species, water buffalo, and a type of Sri Lankan deer. But let’s be honest: we did the tour for the elephants. And here, we were incredibly lucky. Our guide said that often you only see one or two elephants on a tour. We, on the other hand, saw easily around 50; entire herds. And not just single animals, but large groups with young elephants and babies.
One moment in particular really stuck with me: two baby elephants suddenly stood right next to our jeep, with no sign of the mother anywhere. They curiously walked around the vehicle, touching it with their trunks and getting incredibly close. It was unbelievably exciting. One important thing to know: if the mother is nearby, you should be very cautious around young elephants and never touch them. A mother may defend her calf, and that could end badly for people or the jeep.
As for the length of the safari: honestly, six hours felt just a little bit long for us, as sightings can be spread out at times. However, the shorter tour (3 hours) might have been too brief — especially since we saw the larger herds deeper inside the park. Something in between might have been ideal. That said, the safari was absolutely worth it in the end. That moment with the herds alone made the detour to Udawalawe worth every single minute.
Where to sleep
We stayed — and also ate — at Jungle Paradise Hotel (affiliate link), and we felt completely at home there. After the safari, the pool was exactly what we needed. We relaxed on the sun loungers, soaked up the sun, and let the day wind down at an easy pace. Especially after the bumpy hours in the jeep, it felt incredibly good.
The food at the hotel was also very delicious, and the staff were unbelievably friendly and attentive. You can really tell when people put genuine care into what they do; and that’s exactly the feeling we had there. Our room also had a balcony, and from there you truly felt like you were sitting right in the middle of the jungle. Greenery everywhere, bird sounds, warm evening air — it was something really special.
Another big plus is the location. From the hotel, it’s just a short drive to the entrance of Udawalawe National Park, making it quick and easy to start your safari in the morning. For us, Jungle Paradise Hotel was the perfect combination of comfort, nature, and a great base location. We would definitely do it the same way again.