Wild Elephant Population
Estimated 500+ resident elephants
Sighting Probability
Virtually 100% year-round
Elephant Transit Home
Feeding sessions at 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM & 6:00 PM
Landscape
Open savannah grasslands resembling East Africa
Sri Lanka's Savannah Elephant Sanctuary
Created in 1972 to provide a sanctuary for wildlife displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, this 30,821-hectare national park features open savannah grasslands, scrub jungle, and majestic teak forests framed by the distant Kaltota mountain escarpment.
Elephant Transit Home (ETH)
Located just outside the park gates, the Born Free Foundation Elephant Transit Home rehabilitates orphaned elephant calves rescued from across Sri Lanka before releasing them back into the wild. Visitors can watch calves rush enthusiastically to drink warm milk from a viewing platform without any harmful human handling or riding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you touch or ride elephants at Udawalawe?
No! Udawalawe is an ethical, wild conservation park. Riding or petting wild or rehabilitated elephants is strictly prohibited.