Sri Lanka's Most Thrilling Safari: Udawalawe National Park

 Sri Lanka's Most Thrilling Safari: Udawalawe National Park

Sri Lanka is my happy place. From the moment I step foot in this tropical paradise, a sense of excitement and wonder washes over me. There's adventure around every corner of this island nation, but nothing gets my heart racing quite like an open-air jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park. Home to elephants, leopards, crocodiles and over 400 species of birds, Udawalawe is one of the best places in the world to spot wildlife in its natural habitat.

When I visit Udawalawe, I feel like a kid again seeing animals in the wild for the first time. Around every twist and turn of the dirt road lies the possibility of encountering a herd of elephants, a monitor lizard sunbathing by the river, or birds of every color fluttering through the treetops. The thrill of the unexpected and the joy of discovering Sri Lanka's incredible biodiversity keep me coming back to Udawalawe time and again. If you're an animal lover and adventure seeker like me, a safari in Udawalawe National Park should be at the very top of your Sri Lanka bucket list. The memories you make here will last a lifetime.

Elephants: The Stars of Udawalawe

The main attraction of Udawalawe National Park is undoubtedly its elephants. As Asia’s largest elephant gathering site, this park is home to around 400 elephants! I was thrilled to spot so many of these gentle giants during my safari.

As our jeep rumbled along the dirt tracks, my heart leapt every time I caught a glimpse of an elephant in the distance. But seeing them up close was truly magical. Herds of elephants - from lone bulls to entire families with calves in tow - allowed us to observe them in their natural habitat.

The highlight was watching a playful baby elephant mock charge our jeep! His little trunk curled up and ears flapping, he came running towards us before skidding to a stop just feet away. What an adorable show-off! His mother kept a close eye on him while munching on grass, not at all perturbed by our presence.

Elephants are highly social and intelligent animals. In Udawalawe, I could see familial bonds, watch them care for their young, and even spot some mating activity. Their interactions and behaviors fascinated me. If you’re an elephant enthusiast like me, Udawalawe National Park offers an unparalleled opportunity to see Asian elephants thriving in the wild. This moving experience is one I’ll never forget!

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Leopards: Elusive Yet Majestic

As an avid wildlife watcher, seeing a leopard in the wild is at the top of my bucket list! Udawalawe National Park is one of the best places to spot these elusive yet majestic big cats.

When on safari here, I keep my eyes peeled for any signs of leopards like paw prints, scratches on trees, or half-eaten prey carcasses left dangling from branches. Leopards are solitary, nocturnal creatures so the best time to see one is at dawn or dusk when they are most active. My guide and I scan the treetops and termite mounds where they like to nap during the day.

If we’re lucky enough to spot one, my heart races with excitement! Their stunning spotted coats provide perfect camouflage, so leopards seem to materialize out of nowhere. Watching a leopard on the prowl, muscles rippling under their lithe body, is a thrilling sight. The way they move with such grace and power epitomizes the beauty of these apex predators.

Though leopards are elusive, the reward of seeing one in the wild is well worth the effort. Witnessing these magnificent big cats in their natural habitat, even for a fleeting moment, creates memories that will last a lifetime. Udawalawe National Park offers the perfect opportunity for an unforgettable encounter with one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic and endangered species.

Crocodiles: Prehistoric Predators

Crocodiles are one of my favorite animals to spot on safari in Udawalawe National Park! These prehistoric predators have been prowling the waters of Sri Lanka for over 200 million years.

Ancient Armored Fish-Eaters

Crocodiles are living fossils that have outlived the dinosaurs. Their streamlined bodies, armored skin, and muscular tails are perfectly adapted for an aquatic ambush predator. I love watching them bask in the sun with their mouths open, which is how they regulate their body temperature. Those powerful jaws and conical teeth are designed to grab onto prey and not let go!

• The mugger crocodile and saltwater crocodile are the two species found in Udawalawe. The mugger crocodile is the smaller of the two, growing up to 13 feet long.
• Crocodiles are opportunistic feeders, eating anything from small fish and crustaceans to large mammals like deer that come to the water’s edge.

Spotting Sri Lanka’s Stealthy Swamp-Dwellers

The best time to see crocodiles in Udawalawe is the dry season from May to October when water levels in the park’s reservoirs and rivers are low. Crocodiles emerge from the depths and bask in the open, warming their cold-blooded bodies in the sun. Look for their tan, bumpy outlines along muddy banks or partially submerged in shallow water.

• Bring binoculars to get a good view of these predatory reptiles in their natural habitat. You may see a stealthy croc slide into the water, or even catch one with its mouth open!
• Seeing a crocodile in the wild is a thrilling experience. Their primordial appearance reinforces that you’re in a land lost to time, exploring a world both familiar yet foreign. A face to face encounter with one of these “living fossils” is a memory you’ll never forget!

Udawalawe National Park has no shortage of exciting animals, but for me, spotting crocodiles in their natural habitat tops the list as the park’s most thrilling safari experience. These stealthy swamp-dwellers represent a humbling glimpse into prehistory in the heart of Sri Lanka.

Birds: Feathered Wonders of Udawalawe

The birds of Udawalawe are a sight to behold! As an avid birder, the diverse array of feathered friends is what first drew me to explore the park. Let me tell you about some of my favorite feathered wonders you're sure to spot on safari.

Painted Storks

With their pink feathers and long, curved beaks, painted storks are truly a vibrant vision. These wading birds can often be seen gracefully gliding over the park's waters or perched in the branches of trees overlooking the lakes and marshes. What a treat to observe these stunning storks in their natural habitat!

Sri Lankan Junglefowl

If you're an early riser, you'll be rewarded with the call of the Sri Lankan junglefowl, Sri Lanka's national bird. The male's iridescent plumage in hues of red, gold and blue is a sight to behold as he struts about the forest floor. These endemic birds forage on the ground for insects, seeds and fruits, so keep your eyes peeled while on morning game drives.

Egrets and Herons

Several varieties of egrets such as the great egret, intermediate egret and little egret inhabit the park, as well as the gray heron and purple heron. These long-legged wading birds can be spotted gracefully walking through the shallow waters and wetlands, hunting for fish and amphibians. I find their slow, methodical movements utterly mesmerizing.

Kingfishers

If there's one bird that epitomizes Udawalawe, it's the stunning kingfisher. Several types such as the white-breasted kingfisher, stork-billed kingfisher and common kingfisher reside in the park. With their vivid blue and orange plumage, kingfishers are a dazzling sight as they perch over waterways waiting to swoop down and snatch up their aquatic prey. These radiant birds are one of my favorite safari sightings!

The diversity of birds in Udawalawe National Park makes it a premier bird watching destination in Sri Lanka. Whether or not you consider yourself a birder, you're sure to be enchanted by the many feathered wonders flitting through the park. Keep your eyes to the skies and cameras at the ready!

Monkeys: Playful Primates

Oh, the monkeys! To me, the monkeys were one of the highlights of Udawalawe National Park. Their playful antics and mischievous behavior never failed to bring a smile to my face.

Gray Langurs

The gray langurs, with their distinctive black faces and long tails, were everywhere in the park. These monkeys are quite social and live in large troops. I loved watching the langur families grooming each other, mothers doting on babies, and juveniles playing together. Their expressive faces and loud calls made it easy to see they were enjoying themselves in the treetops and open grasslands.

Purple-faced Leaf Monkeys

The purple-faced leaf monkeys were a bit shyer but so charming. These monkeys have a bright orange fur and, as the name suggests, a purple face. They prefer to stay high up in the canopy, so I felt lucky whenever I spotted one! Their diet mostly consists of leaves, so they help keep the forest healthy by pruning back vegetation.

Toque Macaques

The toque macaques were my favorite. These monkeys have a distinctive hairstyle that looks like they’re wearing a hat. They were the most interactive and entertaining to observe. I saw macaques playing together, grooming each other, and even watched a pair of young macaques “boxing” in a play fight! The babies were absolutely adorable, riding on their mothers’ backs or tumbling around with friends.

• Play fighting and tumbling
• Expressive faces and loud calls
• Bright orange fur and purple faces
• Prefer to stay high up in the canopy
• Diet mostly consists of leaves

The monkeys of Udawalawe National Park were endlessly amusing and really made the safari experience memorable for me. Their entertaining antics and social dynamics were a joy to witness in their natural habitat. If you’re planning a visit, make sure to keep an eye out for these playful primates - they’re sure to put a smile on your face too!

Peacocks: A Burst of Color

Bursting with Color

Sri Lanka’s national bird, the peacock, is an absolute marvel to witness in the wild at Udawalawe. I was thrilled to spot several males fanning out their iridescent tail feathers and dancing about to attract mates. The parks’ lush greenery provides the perfect backdrop for their dazzling display of blues, greens and purples.

Peacocks, also known as peafowl, inhabit the lowland rainforests and grasslands of the park. The males, called peacocks, have the distinctive train of elongated upper-tail covert feathers and iridescent plumage. The females, called peahens, have a mixture of dull green, brown, and gray feathers and lack the tail.

During the mating season from May to August, the males can often be seen perched high up in trees or strutting about with their tail feathers unfurled to impress the peahens. Their loud calls echo throughout the park as they attempt to attract a mate. I found their raucous cries to be quite amusing!

These flashy birds are mostly terrestrial, foraging on the ground for various plant matter, insects, and small reptiles. However, they roost in large groups at night in the treetops away from predators. Despite their flamboyant and noisy nature, peacocks are actually quite shy and elusive, and tend to avoid humans when possible.

Spotting these dazzling birds in their natural habitat was a sheer delight. Their dramatic and vibrant displays are a photographer’s dream! If you’re lucky enough to witness a male peacock dancing and shaking his tail feathers on your safari, savor the moment—it will be an unforgettable highlight of your trip to Udawalawe.

Deer: Graceful Grazers

When on safari in Udawalawe National Park, one of my favorite animals to spot are the graceful spotted deer. ### Majestic and Mesmerizing

There’s something magical about seeing a herd of spotted deer in their natural habitat. With their dappled coats and antlers reaching to the sky, they epitomize a serene beauty. As they nibble on grass and leaves, I find myself mesmerized by their movements. The way they slowly wander through the plains, their ears flickering at every little sound, fills me with a sense of peace.

• Their dappled coats provide camouflage, allowing them to blend into the surrounding scrubland.
• Only the males, known as stags, have antlers, which they shed annually.
• They are herbivores, feeding on grass, leaves, and foliage.
• A group of deer is called a herd, and females and their young live in family groups.

Plentiful in Udawalawe

Udawalawe National Park has one of the largest populations of spotted deer in Sri Lanka, with estimates of over 1,000 individuals. They can often be seen in large herds, especially in the evening when they emerge from the forest to graze in the open grasslands. The best way to spot them is on a jeep safari, where you can get up close while still maintaining a respectful distance so as not to disturb them.

With their soulful eyes and graceful leaps, the spotted deer are a highlight of any trip to Udawalawe National Park. If you’re lucky, you may even witness males battling during the mating season, locking antlers in a fight for dominance. But for me, simply observing a peaceful herd grazing at sunset is a memory I will cherish forever. These beautiful creatures epitomize the wild serenity of the Sri Lankan bush.

Reptiles: Slithery Sights

Sri Lanka has some of the most diverse reptiles in the world, and Udawalawe is home to many of them! As an avid wildlife enthusiast, the reptiles were high on my must-see list during my safari.

Crocodiles

The national park has a large population of mugger crocodiles that can be spotted lounging by the reservoir or in the park's watering holes. These prehistoric creatures fascinate me with their scales, teeth and stealthy swimming ability. We saw several crocs during our safari, including a few feisty young ones!

Monitors

Two types of monitors inhabit Udawalawe: the water monitor and the land monitor. The water monitor is Sri Lanka's largest lizard, growing up to 10 feet long. I was thrilled when our guide spotted one swimming in the reservoir. The smaller land monitors are more shy but we managed to see one climbing a tree. Monitors are incredible climbers and swimmers.

Snakes

Though I have a healthy respect for snakes, I was eager to spot some in the wild. We came across a beautiful bronze-colored rat snake slithering across the red dirt road. Rat snakes are non-venomous constrictors that help control the rodent population. Venomous snakes also live in the park, like the spectacular king cobra, so we were cautious walking through brush.

Turtles

The reservoir and streams are home to two types of freshwater turtles: the endemic flap-shelled turtle and the Indian flapshell turtle. We saw a few flap-shelled turtles sunbathing on logs protruding from the water. With their webbed feet and aerodynamic shells, turtles are perfectly adapted for an aquatic lifestyle.

The array of reptiles in Udawalawe National Park made my safari experience complete. Spotting these prehistoric beasts in their natural habitat was a thrilling highlight of my trip to Sri Lanka. I hope the park's reptilian residents remain protected and continue to fascinate lucky visitors for generations to come!

Safari Tips and Planning Your Udawalawe Adventure

Planning an epic safari adventure in Udawalawe National Park? I’ve got some tips to make the most of your experience spotting elephants, birds, and other wildlife!

Book in Advance

Safari jeep tours often fill up weeks ahead, especially during peak season from December to April. Don’t miss out - book your safari at least 2-4 weeks before your trip. Most hotels and tour companies in the area offer safari tour packages that include hotel pickup and drop-off.

Wake Up Early

The best wildlife viewing is at dawn and dusk when animals are most active. Most safaris depart around 6 AM, so set that alarm and get ready for an early start! You’ll be rewarded with a memorable sunrise over the park.

Dress for the Weather

Udawalawe has a hot tropical climate, so dress accordingly in lightweight, breathable clothing. Pack a hat, sunglasses, insect repellant and sunscreen. The open-air jeeps offer little shade or protection from the elements.

Bring the Right Camera Equipment

You’ll want a high-quality camera, ideally a DSLR, to capture photos of elephants, birds, crocodiles and scenic vistas. A zoom lens of at least 200-400mm is essential for close-ups from a distance. Don’t forget extra memory cards and batteries!

Keep Quiet

Loud noises and sudden movements can startle wildlife. For the best viewing, sit still and avoid talking loudly while on the game drive. Your guide will communicate via whispers when spotting animals.

Enjoy a Picnic Breakfast

Most safaris stop midway for a picnic breakfast with tea, coffee and local snacks. Soak in the peaceful surroundings while fueling up for more wildlife spotting!

An Udawalawe safari is a once in a lifetime experience. By following these tips, you’ll be ready to make the most out of your adventure in this wildlife paradise. Have a fantastic trip and good luck spotting elephants!

Conclusion

As you can see, Udawalawe National Park offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness Sri Lanka's spectacular wildlife in their natural habitat. From majestic Asian elephants to colorful birds, a safari here is guaranteed to thrill. The next time you're looking for an exciting adventure abroad, don't miss the chance to explore this wildlife wonderland. The memories of close encounters with nature's most magnificent creatures in Udawalawe's scenic landscape will stay with you forever. So pack your camera, book your tickets, and get ready for an African-style safari experience like no other in the heart of Sri Lanka! What are you waiting for? An unforgettable wild adventure awaits in Udawalawe.