Udawalawe Wild Safari Tours: A Detailed 7-Hour Review

So, you are pondering a wildlife experience in Sri Lanka, huh? Well, Udawalawe National Park is one great option and the 7-hour safari is certainly a popular choice. So, let’s chat regarding what makes this adventure worthwhile, that is, covering the potential animal sightings, the safari experience itself, plus ways of ensuring you get real value out of it, that is what I’m saying.

What you should expect seeing in Udawalawe National Park

Elephants, elephants, and more elephants, that tends to be the common reaction!. Well, Udawalawe is most famed for its sizable elephant population; there’s probably hundreds there!. Like, they amble around in herds, munching on foliage, and sometimes, that is, crossing the path right in front of your jeep. Apparently, other inhabitants of the park can be sighted, just so you know: think leopards (rare, but definitely possible!), different types of deer, like sambar and spotted deer, jackals, crocodiles lounging around the waterholes, and just tons of different bird species. In a way, that is why Udawalawe really is a wildlife photographer’s paradise!

What is the Safari Experience, and why do it?

Picture yourself, that is, cruising down those bumpy, unpaved trails in an open-top jeep. So, the breeze is blowing in your face, the sun’s shining above, or at least, that is the idea, and there’s sounds that are surrounding you: the chirping of birds, that distant cry of a monkey, that rustle in the bushes… That’s the standard safari feel. As I was saying, your driver does double duty being your guide, that is to say they try to point out all types of wildlife and try their best to share tidbits regarding the park, also about the behavior of the animals. This is what you get with most Safari tours. Though, what’s unique with a seven-hour stint, you get deeper, way deeper into the park, reaching spots others likely will never see and increasing the chances of glimpsing rarer animals, or even just observing these well known creatures doing their own interesting behaviors as it tends to be. I mean, let’s face it: these things are a plus for any animal watcher.

How To Pick the Right Tour Operator, as you see it?

All things being equal, doing research is essential. You should really try to read reviews! Okay?, you should try and get info on which tour operators constantly get the big thumbs-up when it comes to information they provide about local knowledge, spotting ability and attitude!. Also, find a tour that stresses being an animal-friendly operator, basically. You are attempting to find people that respect the wildlife space, that do not get extremely close simply for that perfect picture, or, like your normal tour that uses some sound devices, in order to lure animals nearer to the vehicle. So, be certain the jeep you pick looks respectable and not too overcrowded; you want a great viewing opportunity to say the least. As a matter of fact, speaking of seeing stuff, good binoculars really would make a great addition for anyone!

Maximize Your Udawalawe Trip

So, the timings could alter your sighting possibilities somewhat. Morning safaris sometimes seem more fruitful because the animals are rather active, very active, as it happens as the day starts getting hotter. You also need clothes you do not care too much for and that you can be safe from the sun with, along with just bug spray. Still, you need to make sure you come with patience! Nature is as it happens, so sightings just aren’t confirmed, apparently. Simply unwind and take pleasure in the natural world around yourself and don’t worry too much whether a leopard makes a visit. That is not something to consider. Act like that, anyway. Oh, very vital: keep any noise low. Animals easily spook!.

Is Udawalawe Ethical?

So, ecotourism and conservation: like, it’s such an interesting situation. First off, wildlife safaris support the local economies: I mean the money that tourists give supports people that lives close to parks such as shop-keepers, local drivers and more, this happens quite often. Moreover, park-entrance payments contribute greatly towards keeping up with conservation measures, like the anti-poaching ones, also habitat preservation. But that is what Udawalawe has, as your run-of-the-mill natural habitats, this might be a balancing situation: mass tourism or lots of visitors and that’s generally. Where many jeeps gather may be invasive to the wildlife, therefore an emphasis to keeping the vehicle to vehicle distance and quiet operations ought to definitely be emphasized, actually.

• Park Management: Udawalawe is run with the Department of Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka. That management does the monitoring when it comes to how many safari vehicles are going in. Still, one cannot take this management totally at face value.
• Community Benefit: Most guides originate from neighboring communities; they definitely will bring financial support in their very families while building the assistance toward safeguarding our wildlife treasures.

Ethical safari tours is certainly possible to get in Udawalawe whenever you follow this few very simple rules. Support guides of people that clearly showcase both respectful conduct toward creatures, like people aware with keeping appropriate safe ranges without annoying these elephants only in hope to grab photographs: these ethical ways of touristing guarantee you help keep parks thriving now, in your near and far futures, definitely. This kind of mindful traveling strengthens animal life in general as offering chances with nearby regions, as it tends to be. To make sure you check in doing it.