Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Buses leave from the bus station (which is right in the town centre) frequently to the fol-
lowing:
Uda Walawe National Park
This is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see elephants. According to the 2011 census
there are about 600 in the park in herds of up to 50. There's an elephant-proof fence
around the perimeter of the park, (supposedly) preventing elephants from getting out and
cattle from getting in. The best time to observe elephant herds is from 6.30am to 10am and
again from 4pm to 6.30pm.
Sights
Uda Walawe National Park
PARK
(admission Rs 1945, service charge per group Rs 1038, vehicle charge per group Rs 250, plus overall
tax VAT 12%; 6am-6pm)
With herds of elephants, wild buffalo, sambar deer and leopards, this Sri Lankan national
park rivals the savannah reserves of Africa. In fact, for elephant-watching, Uda Walawe
often surpasses many of the most famous East African national parks. The park, which
centres on the 308.2-sq-km Uda Walawe Reservoir, is lightly vegetated but it has a stark
beauty and the lack of dense vegetation makes game-watching easy. It's the one park in Sri
Lanka not to miss.
The entrance to the park is 12km from the Ratnapura-Hambantota road turn-off and
21km from Embilipitiya. Visitors buy tickets in a building a further 2km on. Most people
take a tour organised by their guesthouse or hotel, but a trip with one of the 4WDs waiting
outside the gate should be around Rs 3500 for a half-day for up to eight people with driver.
Last tickets are usually sold at 5pm. A park guide is included in the cost of admission and
