Morning Safari
First light on the grasslands, when elephants are moving between the reservoir and the tree line.
From $57 per person
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Udawalawe Safari Tours
Private 4×4 jeep safaris in Udawalawe National Park with a local driver, hotel pickup, and the park ticket in the price. Daily departures, every season.
- Private jeep only
- Park fees included
- Free local pickup
- $30 deposit
Open-top jeeps in Udawalawe National Park — your group only, never mixed with other bookings.
Choose a morning, extended morning, afternoon, or full-day drive. Pickup from hotels in Udawalawe and along Thanamalwila Road is part of the safari, or meet us at the park gate. Park entrance, jeep charges, government taxes, and water are always in your quote.
| Safari type | Time | Duration | From (USD) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Safari Most popular | 6:00 – 10:00 | About 4 hours | $57 | View → |
| Extended Morning Best value | 6:00 – 12:30 | About 6.5 hours | $60 | View → |
| Afternoon Safari | 2:00 – 6:00 | About 4 hours | $57 | View → |
| Full Day Safari Lunch included | 6:00 – 6:00 | About 12 hours | $72 | View → |
| Paying guests in the jeep | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Safari | $112 | $71 | $64 | $61 | $59 | $57 |
| Extended Morning | $125 | $78 | $69 | $64 | $61 | $60 |
| Afternoon Safari | $112 | $71 | $64 | $61 | $59 | $57 |
| Full Day Safari | $190 | $115 | $94 | $83 | $76 | $72 |
Prices are per adult for the whole private jeep, so a smaller group pays more each. Children aged 5–11 add $24 each ($34 on the Full Day Safari). Under-fives ride free and still use one of the six seats. Your exact total appears as you choose guests in the booking form.
Choose your safari
Four ways into the park
Every tour is private — your jeep, your pace, your group.
Extended Morning
The dawn drive, plus the quieter hours when animals settle at the water and you are no longer sharing the track with the first wave of jeeps.
From $60 per person
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Afternoon Safari
Warm light, longer shadows, and herds drifting back toward the water before the gate closes.
From $57 per person
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Full Day Safari
Dawn and late afternoon in one jeep, with a midday break and lunch. The complete Udawalawe day.
From $72 per person
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What every safari includes
No hidden jeep charges and no surprise park fees — the quote covers the essentials.
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Private open jeep
For your group only, up to 6 guests, with clear views from raised seats.
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English-speaking driver-guide
A local driver who knows the reservoir tracks and when to wait.
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Park entrance and taxes
Udawalawe National Park tickets, jeep charges, and government taxes.
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Bottled water
Drinking water for every guest. The full day adds a packed lunch.
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Local hotel pickup
Hotels in Udawalawe and along Thanamalwila Road. Further towns are quoted by route.
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Booking support
Answers on WhatsApp or email. A $30 deposit holds the date; the balance is paid on arrival.
Getting here
Pickup and meeting points
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Hotel pickup
Included for hotels in Udawalawe and along Thanamalwila Road. Send the hotel name when you book.
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Meet at the gate
Ekamuthugama, Sewanagala, Udawalawe, Sri Lanka 70190. View on Google Maps →
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Further away
Embilipitiya, Ella, Tissamaharama, and the south coast — tell us the hotel and we quote the transfer before you pay anything.
Check a date on WhatsApp
The quickest way to check availability. Send these and we reply during desk hours (5:00 AM – 6:30 PM):
- Safari type and date
- Number of adults and children
- Hotel or pickup point
What the park holds
Elephants first, and a lot more
Udawalawe is known for Asian elephants on the open reservoir grassland. The same ground holds water buffalo, spotted deer, mugger crocodiles, grey langurs, jackals, and a long list of wetland birds.
Your driver reads the tracks and the water level, and stays with a sighting when it is safe and allowed. We do not promise any one animal.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What to know before you book an Udawalawe safari.
Is the safari private?
Yes. The jeep is for your group, up to six guests. We do not sell leftover seats to other travellers.
Are park entrance fees included?
Yes. The quote includes the private jeep, Udawalawe entrance tickets, taxes, and bottled water. A long-distance hotel transfer is extra and is quoted from the hotel name before you pay anything.
Can you pick us up from Ella or the south coast?
Yes. Hotels in Udawalawe and along Thanamalwila Road are included. Embilipitiya, Ella, Tissamaharama, Hambantota, and the south coast are arranged on request. Send the hotel name with the date.
Are elephant sightings guaranteed?
No. Udawalawe is one of the most reliable places in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants, which is not the same as a guarantee. We will not sell you a promised herd.
How does the deposit work?
The form on this site is a request. Once we confirm the jeep, a $30 deposit holds it. The rest is paid on arrival, in USD or in rupees at the day’s rate. See the refunds page for cancellations.
Can children come?
Yes. Children aged 5–11 pay a reduced share. Children under 5 ride free and still use a seat. The jeep holds six guests in total, including children.
Can we visit the Elephant Transit Home?
The transit home is outside the national park. It cares for orphaned elephants before they return to the wild, and viewing times are set by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Ask when you book and we will try to place the morning safari around a viewing. It is not included in the park ticket.
What should we wear?
Closed shoes, a layer for the dawn start, and a hat for later. The jeep is open. Neutral colours are kinder on a wildlife drive than white. Leave drones at the hotel.
Ready?
Book your Udawalawe safari
Choose a safari and a date. We handle the jeep, the ticket, and the pickup.