Udawalawa Safari & Elephant Home: A Detailed Review

So, you’re thinking about a trip to Udawalawa National Park and maybe visiting the Elephant Transit Home? That’s an amazing idea, that is! This part of Sri Lanka gives you some absolutely breathtaking views and unbelievably cool wildlife experiences. The park’s almost a big draw because of its elephants, of course, but there is very much more to discover. Let’s talk about what makes Udawalawa so worth a visit.

Planning Your Safari in Udawalawa

That initial step is planning, basically, because how you set things up definitely changes what you will experience. So, a safari in Udawalawa tends to mean hopping into a jeep, and that’s how many get around the park. So, it’s very worth considering booking a safari tour in advance. Very often, these are arranged with people living locally, too it’s almost ensuring the cash stays within the community. What’s quite a decision is whether to go for the early morning or afternoon safari. It is said that animals tend to be quite a bit more active at cooler times, but really, it is all very much based on luck.

One more pointer – shop around a bit for a good guide, arguably, someone who can tell you lots regarding the wildlife and spots them. We found that really bumped things up a notch! Anyway, also, you’re very welcome to expect to pay park entry fees, plus the rental for the jeep, obviously. It might feel costly, however it’s extremely important to think of that income actually goes to preserve the park, also to help wildlife too it’s almost.

Choosing the Right Safari Tour Operator

Picking your safari tour guide, it seems, that is, so essential. Your guide should certainly not only be an amazing driver but actually someone packed with facts regarding all creatures large or small in Udawalawa. So, reviews may be handy here. Do some digging; that is, search what others mention in connection to specific operators, in a way, looking specifically for mentions relating to the guide’s expertise also ability to discover animals.

And talking of responsible practices – what’s so important! Do your best, I think, in an effort to find someone sticking to a good ethical approach; not getting too close or disturbing fauna. We went through a few websites before locating a family-run thing that very closely put wildlife first, that is, which we completely welcomed!

What to Expect on Your Safari Drive

Get equipped for something wild – seriously. Anyway, Udawalawa National Park will come alive for you. What’s often pointed out, I noticed, anyway, it’s all concerning observing magnificent elephant herds, and also very easy to understand – these animals are extremely astounding. The park is incredibly ideal for elephants, giving them vast grassland spaces as well as waterholes by which these guys drink and cool down.

And you will observe much more than only elephants. In fact, you should have an eye out for water buffalo lazily wallowing, look too at crocodiles resting on riverbanks. So, too it’s almost full of different species of birds. It is almost a very haven for twitchers: vibrant kingfishers or perhaps eagles swooping above. Your drive passes across diverse environments, too it’s almost allowing you to admire a lot, such as wide open plains or really, pretty dense bushes, so always remain vigilant also also equipped with a camera all ready to go!

Visiting the Elephant Transit Home

Okay, basically, you want somewhere to meet baby elephants up very personally, that Elephant Transit Home, usually known by ETH, could be considered the destination for your needs. That actually isn’t many miles far away from the park itself; that’s specifically an area created to have care of vulnerable or otherwise orphaned elephants prior to their release into wilderness.

And, clearly, these places work a bit different than your ordinary zoo. Really, here it really is about rehabilitation, plus minimal interactions by way of humans. Tourists can enjoy viewing feedings from the specific distance; so, this really lowers man and elephant attachments.

What Makes the Elephant Transit Home Special

The way the ETH performs separates it – it is definitely not only somewhere only where they look just after baby elephants but rather, too it’s almost works hard about preparing for when these fellas get returned straight into their habitat, actually. One key policy usually is certainly the little person handling that has to be expected. Folks come here strictly to check the elephants receiving milk plus chow downwards to get bigger before these will be released back away, instead, with barely much man contact.

That means basically; it prevents animals turning out to be excessively influenced because of individuals or even determined by anyone specifically; consequently, that grows their individual likelihoods for existence when outside. Arguably; this plan, so, indicates guests never always interact intimately with little ones, rather guests find what takes place coming via observation at some range from a barrier, and also enables very important, undisturbed care also readiness exercises actually, for your pups’.

Planning Your Visit to the ETH

Alright then, in reality, organising visiting hours does need some amount coordination. Very generally feeding situations can get executed many different times every day; I would say test timetables via most official websites because I recall all this stuff actually varied relatively due weather changes!

Once you’ve come along what’s incredibly worthy thinking to be are things related viewing spot choices. Come relatively beforehand should your purpose lies via picking more efficient overview which definitely is significant thinking if seeking obtain good photographs as only some folks come. Also take into consideration to operate quietly so we really avoid upsetting these individuals little babies also workers here too, you.

Tips for an Unforgettable Udawalawa Experience

To produce trip even better, here are often one or more guidance nuggets influenced originating from journeys i would consider.

Best Time to Visit

Let’s say then, period does perform aspect and exactly what periods, possibly, one gets best experiences in Udawalawa usually revolves around period relating between rainy then no storms actually since reduced levels cause wildlife bunch almost close normal liquids making wildlife simple determine usually . That’s very normal round May reaching September . Also , staying throughout transition periods often grants guests great climate circumstances and really much reduced numbers relating tourists .

What to Bring

Be preparing; that can mean ensuring personal items assist. Load up quite some great sunglasses , plenty with UV barrier creme given that hours typically appear fairly vibrant. Taking into consideration choosing colours related garments helps avoid unnecessary insects . A terrific thing usually involves bringing strong cameras given incredible photograph shots possible; also never forget about your own binoculars thus you can check distance out much easier usually ; and above all do hold lots more fluid! Then; stay fluids all this moment!!

Respecting the Wildlife and Their Habitat

We are extremely proud by using liable methods by way of parks plus baby sanctuary; I think make sure remain little disruption through those residents by using being low; furthermore never enable lure pets via serving those activities, for example. Hold tight guidance or those instructions, also leave literally merely impressions as visiting: ensuring waste travels back including both of yourself without end. So be polite so wildlife still gets these native habitat which should definitely also last far longer than basically.

Safety Tips

Staying alert can stay a need generally; do be aware that safari jaunts come alongside inherent dangers for obviousness especially whilst almost pets around. Continually be mindful alongside tourguide standards; so he could stay professional at what needs performing via any place animals act . Check it stays locked throughout; prevent giving hands, additionally maintain youngsters closely inspected frequently as protection against probably situations occur

Your visit at Udawalawa National Park also going to elephant home needs little prep not solely delivers recollections nonetheless even also provides good wildlife preservation projects happening here as such.