Udawalawe Safari Tour From Bentota: A Complete Review

Okay, so you’re thinking of going on a safari from Bentota to Udawalawe? That’s amazing! Seeing elephants in the wild is just a pretty amazing thing, and the Udawalawe National Park is really one of the best spots in Sri Lanka to do just that. This is just a thorough check of what you maybe can expect, giving you almost all the information you might be needing for a totally unforgettable day trip.

What to Expect from the Udawalawe Safari Day Tour

Alright, the first thing is first: getting to Udawalawe from Bentota. That drive, it’s fairly long, and typically takes about three to four hours, give or take depending on the traffic. You’ll likely leave super early to kinda make the most of the day and, very, arrive at Udawalawe when the wildlife is basically starting to become more active. Expect the drive there to be pretty scenic, actually; you’ll catch glimpses of Sri Lankan village life, paddy fields, and maybe even some colorful roadside fruit stands too. That said, you will need to get ready for an early wake-up. Waking up early is part of a wildlife-watching experience, which really is beneficial. You will almost always be treated to what seems to be the best sights and sounds of what looks like animals ready to greet a brand new day.

The safari usually, is that it’s conducted in a modified jeep. That’s really the perfect way to view the animals in a reasonably safe way. Most jeeps come with open tops, allowing you a fantastic, 360-degree view of the landscape. Remember to really bring your camera! So, the safari itself usually lasts around three to four hours, going with the guide who knows the park like the back of their hand, ready to kinda point out all the awesome wildlife.

The Wildlife You’ll See

Basically, elephants are really the stars of the show here. Udawalawe is very known for its elephant population, which is arguably one of the really biggest in Sri Lanka. That is that you’re almost totally certain to see them! Big herds of elephants wander across the grasslands, chill by the waterholes, and maybe even stroll rather close to your jeep. And it’s just very awesome. Apart from elephants, you might also spot things such as leopards, different types of deer, maybe even crocodiles, monkeys, buffalo, and just an insane number of bird species. Keep an eye out for the eagles and vibrant kingfishers; Udawalawe is something of a birdwatcher’s retreat.

For the animal lovers among us, seeing these awesome animals really do live a pretty awesome life roaming freely is just so exciting, so you do not need to actually wonder when you are here. But when dusk creeps in, and all is almost dim and cool, it could even, in some respects, feel different, you might actually, anyway, want to see nocturnal creatures move rather slowly, or those hard-to-see shy types like the leopards creeping on other animals for their dinner; you know.

Choosing the Right Tour Operator

Selecting a tour operator, is that it’s key for a seamless safari. Seek out operators with great reviews and a really great track record for providing fantastic wildlife experiences. Also, that your guides are knowledgeable and able to kinda speak your language to some degree or other. Also, that it can certainly enhance your experience, that you’ll know a lot more about animal behaviour and how about the different flora and fauna of Udawalawe. Confirm, also, just a little about their commitment to responsible wildlife tourism practices. Your operator ought to, too, emphasize minimal environmental impact, respect for the animals and what looks like their habitats, as well as really strictly adhere to park regulations. And always read the fine print, that it might be an awful waste of your time and cash.

A few good companies will arguably, also, offer packages that may often come bundled and be more or less all-inclusive with things such as transportation from and to Bentota, park entrance fees, lunch, and maybe what looks like a dedicated, personal guide, too. Seeing just what exactly is covered really will potentially save you a number of headaches, as well as allowing you to absolutely make the most of your day.

Tips for an Unforgettable Udawalawe Safari

Want to know about really upping your safari experience? Make sure, too, you wear light clothing and closed-toe shoes. That is because the Sri Lankan sun can be fairly intense! A hat, sunglasses, and just a good sunscreen are really absolutely necessary too. Remember just your camera gear! Having a zoom lens can almost guarantee that you see every small movement from far away, that, too, you capture the amazing moments up reasonably close, or at least closer. Pack a few bottles of drinking water as well as some high-energy snacks to kinda keep you energized across the tour. And just stay reasonably quiet and reasonably respectful of the wildlife. Keep noise to what seems to be a bare minimum in order to prevent scaring the animals, that it arguably doesn’t interrupt just their behavior. Oh, too, do that common traveler advice; don’t litter, like your mum told you.

So, it’s often helpful to consider just the time of the year when kinda planning your visit to some degree. Basically, the dry season, which just so happens to be from May to September, really is just very known for what looks like the very best wildlife viewing chances, like your chances increase by like ten times maybe, when animals gather really closely around the water sources to quench their thirst. Keep in mind, yet, this may, also, that you are traveling through the very busy tourist period, thus planning for what looks like crowds may very well be crucial.

Adding Cultural Experiences to Your Safari Trip

Going on safari is that it’s not always all just what seems to be animal sightings; it’s just really awesome, still! You could also really maximize the tour and trip when you weave in just what seems to be a bit of local culture. The stopovers along with nearby towns, actually, can include visiting a village, dropping in on a temple, as well as witnessing Sri Lankan people go through what feels like life to them! And the opportunity to also purchase just something authentic is really special for just supporting the locals.

You will more or less remember this and that you learn, of how so many animals roam just about freely because their human folks just so happen to give them their space? It may tend to shape one’s whole world! You know?