Udawalawe Safaris: The 13 Best Jeep Runs from Colombo

1.Udawalawe National Park: Elephant Safari with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 641 reviews · 4 - 10 hours · from $30Our pick

Explore Udawalawe National Park in a private 4x4 with guides such as Gimhana, Udith, Jayashan, and Gayan. Expect strong elephant sightings, patient wildlife watching, quiet routes, and useful animal facts. Choose a 4-hour safari or extend the outing to 10 hours with lunch and water included.

“We had a fantastic time on our safari. We saw numerous elephants including a family with young, at least a dozen crocodiles, jackals, mongoose, water buffalo, lizards and loads of birds. The park was not congested and at times we had the trails to ourselves. Our guide Gimhana was very knowledgeable and went out of his way to make sure that we saw as much as possible. Would recommend the early morning safari as there seems to be lots of animals about.”

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2.03 Days Highlights Of Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya , Ella & Udawalawe

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · from $265Top rated

This private 3-day circuit links Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, and Udawalawe from Colombo. Expect an early start, long drives, two hotel nights, an English-speaking driver-guide, and extra fees for major sights and the safari.

“I joined a 3-day tour through Sri Lanka and absolutely loved it! Everything was perfectly organized – efficient, reliable, and very professional. Our guide Aaron and the driver were a fantastic team who made the trip smooth and enjoyable. TRead more”

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3.Udawalawa Safari Tour from Hambantota Port (Shore Excursion)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 48 reviews · 1 day · from $51

You’ll travel from Hambantota Port to Udawalawe National Park for a guided jeep safari, with a planned visit to the Elephant Transit Home. Guides such as Pathum, Damith, Hansa, and Sasanka have earned praise for wildlife spotting, careful driving, and flexible help.

“It was convenient as you were picked up at a chosen time and then dropped off at your hotel on the south coast- this saves some time. The guides were friendly and stopped at every opportunity to see an animal. We saw 5 or 6 elephants. The taxi and jeep were shared with 4 others (6 people overall), which we wasn’t aware of- this makes it feel like the pricing is a little too much.”

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4.Udawalawa National Park: All-Inclusive Private Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 36 reviews · 1 day · from $83

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from Colombo, Ella, Wellawaya, or nearby areas, then spend three hours in Udawalawe National Park with a dedicated safari jeep and English-speaking guide. Guides such as Koshala, Pathum, and Prasad help you find elephants, crocodiles, deer, buffalo, and birds.

“Great safari. Pathum has 10 years experience and showed us many great spots. 100% recommendation.”

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5.All inclussive Udawalawa National Park Safari From Colombo

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 11 reviews · 12 hours · from $225

You leave Colombo early for a five-hour ride to Udawalawe National Park, then spend about three hours on a shared jeep safari. Expect elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, birds, and other wildlife, plus a 45-minute visit to the Elephant Transit Home. Lunch is extra.

“It was a very nice safari with lots of sightings of elephants, crocodiles, water Buffalo, peacocks, jackals, mongoose, python and numerous species of birds. The park was not very crowded, hence allowed me to spend quality time at each sighting. The journey from Colombo was also very smooth in a good Toyota Prius car. The car had arrived for pickup on time at the hotel lobby.”

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6.Udawalawa Safari & Elephant Transit Home Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 11 reviews · 12 hours · from $128

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from Colombo to Udawalawe, then take a jeep safari for elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, birds, and more. Visit the Elephant Transit Home, stop for local lunch, and return the same day. Guides may include Koshala or Pathum.

“A wonderful activity in the beautiful Udawalawe park. Pathum is very friendly and professional.”

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7.All Inclusive Udawalawe National Park Safari Day Tour from Colombo and Negombo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $335

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from Colombo or Negombo to Udawalawe National Park, then spend about three hours in a private 4x4 jeep looking for elephants, crocodiles, deer, buffalo, and other wildlife with a local guide.

“Was an amazing trip. The driver was an excellent driver, Dilan was an excellent narrator and guide. He knew about all the animals and was alert to our needs. We saw elephants, crocodiles, mongooses, spotted deer, water buffalo, and dozens Read more”

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8.Udawalawe Safari Day Trip from South Region & Transfer to Ella

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $180

You’ll travel from Sri Lanka’s south coast to Udawalawe National Park with a private driver-guide, then switch to a safari jeep for 3 to 3.5 hours among elephants, deer, monkeys, crocodiles, peacocks, and dry-zone birds. Lunch, entry fees, bottled water, and the Elephant Transit Home visit are included.

“We did our day trip in December 2023. We were cruising at that time and were picked up from the port. Everything was organized very well. The cars were waiting for us in the designated area and were easy to find. The car was clean, the driRead more”

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9.All Inclusive Udawalawa National Park Day Tour From Negombo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $275

Leave Negombo at 6:00 am in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking chauffeur, ride through Sri Lanka’s countryside, enjoy a rice and curry lunch, and take a Udawalawe National Park jeep safari. Elephant sightings and birdlife are possible, but the full day is long.

“A very long day but well worth it . Collected from hotel and we had our own driver for the whole day. Drove through some amazing countryside . The park was incredible, saw lots of elephant and birds . Great food in an amazing restaurant before home .”

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10.2 Days Tour of Double Safari (Yala & Udawalawe) – All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $375

Travel privately from Negombo or nearby coastal towns to Yala and Udawalawe for two different safari settings. Your English-speaking driver-guide handles transport, a three-star hotel, meals, park fees, and safari jeeps, with an Elephant Transit Home visit and optional temple stop.

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11.Udawalawe National Park Safari With Transfers From Colombo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $175

Travel from your Colombo hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle, stop at the Elephant Transit Home, then spend about three hours in a 4WD searching Udawalawe National Park for elephants, deer, buffalo, crocodiles, and other wildlife. WiFi and bottled water are available.

“No fault with the driver or the elephants. They did their job. Tour company might as well have not been there, no itinerary offered beforehand. No personalized contact. Might as well have found a driver myself.”

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12.A Udawalawa Park safari, Tour from Colombo/Galle- (All inclusive)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $195

Travel from Colombo in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to Udawalawe National Park. Guide Gayan has led visitors to close elephant sightings, while lunch, bottled water, park entry, and a private 4WD safari are included. The full outing takes about 8 to 10 hours.

“The trip from Columbo was quite a way but it was so worth it. We had a great guide in Gayan. The national park is situated in an amazing location and we saw so many elephants really close up and in their natural habitat. It was breathtRead more”

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13.03 Days Highlights Of Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya , Ella & Udawalawe

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $442

Travel privately from Negombo with an English-speaking chauffeur, two hotel nights, breakfast, dinner, and air-conditioned transport. Climb Sigiriya, visit Kandy’s Tooth Temple, see tea country and Ella, then finish with an Udawalawe safari. Admissions and the safari jeep cost extra.

“This was a good tour, I will just point out that this private trip your driver is just your driver, not a guide.”

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