Sri Lanka EXPERIENCES

Sri Lanka Experiences - Udawalawe National Park

The national park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir. The reserve covers (119.00 sq mi of land area and was established on 30 June 1972. Before the designation of the national park, the area was used for shifting cultivation (chena farming). The farmers were gradually removed once the national park was declared. The park is 165 kilometers from Colombo. Udawalawe is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third most visited park in the country.

Udawalawe is an important habitat for Sri Lankan elephants, which are relatively hard to see in its open habitats. Many elephants are attracted to the park because of the Udawalawe reservoir, with a herd of about 250 believed to be permanently resident. The Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home was established in 1995 for the purpose of looking after abandoned elephant calves within the park.  Udawalawe is also a good bird watching site. Endemics such as Sri Lanka spur fowl, red-faced malkoha, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, brown-capped babbler, and Sri Lanka jungle fowl are among of the breeding resident birds.