Travel Hikkaduwa

Udawalawe National Park Situated 170 km south East of Colombo the Uda Walawe National Park is approximately 30,821 hectares in extent. This Park which lies within the Ratnapura and Monaragala Districts acts as the catchment to the Uda Walawe Reservoir and is located in the Dry Zone. This Park comprises grasslands and thorn scrubs and many valuable species of trees are found within it. Large herds of Elephants and Deer species such as spotted Deer, Sambhur, Barking deer and Langur, Wild Boar, Water Buffalo, Jackal are some of the prominent wild animals found in this Park and a variety of avifauna is seen.

Renowned for its outstanding scenic beauty and wealth of animal and bird species, Udawalawe draws foreign and local tourists throughout the year, the possibility of viewing elephants at close range being its main attraction. The park serves the dual purpose of ensuring a perennial supply of silt-free water to the reservoir and providing a refuge for wildlife displaced by the opening up of land for agriculture and other purposes in the lower reaches of the Walawe River.