Udawalawe National Park is a national park on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces in Sri Lanka. The 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 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 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.
Physical features
Udawalawe lies on the boundary of Sri Lanka's wet and dry zones. Plains dominate the topography, though there are also some mountainous areas. A total of nine calves, on two occasions in 1998 and 2000, with another eight calves in 2002, were released in the park when old enough to fend for themselves.
Tourism
In the six months ending in August 2009, the park earned revenue of Rs. 18.2 million. From 1994 to 2001 some 423,000 people visited the park, 20% of them foreigners. featuring water buffalo, Sri Lankan elephant, ruddy mongoose and tufted grey langur.
Safari
Udawalawe National Park is widely known for its jeep safari experiences, which provide opportunities to observe wildlife in open grassland and scrub forest habitats. The park’s relatively sparse vegetation allows consistent sightings of large mammals, particularly the Sri Lankan elephant, which is considered one of the main attractions for visitors.
Safari drives are typically conducted during the early morning and late afternoon hours, when animal activity is generally higher. In addition to elephants, visitors commonly encounter water buffalo, sambar deer, spotted deer, crocodiles and a variety of bird species. The park’s accessibility and reliable wildlife sightings have contributed to its reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s prominent safari destinations.
See also
- Protected areas of Sri Lanka
- Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home