Excursion Elephants of udawalawe tour at Hambantota

Discover Udawalawe National Park, an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants, on this full day (nine hours) guided jeep safari. Explore the 119 square mile reserve established in 1972 to provide sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, and to protect the catchment of the reservoir.

Embark from the pier at Hambanthota Port and board your coach for the one-hour drive to Udawalawe National Park. Climb into your jeep at the entrance of the third most visited park in Sri Lanka. Take in the habitat surrounding the reservoir including marshes, the Walawe River and its tributaries, forests, and grasslands.

Learn from your guide about the many species found in the park - 94 plants, 21 fish, 12 amphibians, 33 reptiles, 184 birds (33 of which are migratory), 43 mammals, and 135 species of butterflies. Look for the Sri Lankan elephants; a herd of about 250 are believed to be permanent residents. Keep your eyes open for the rusty-spotted cat, fishing cat and Sri Lankan leopard, all members of the family Felidae. Watch for Sri Lankan sambar deer and axis deer, Indian muntjac, spotted chevrotain, wild boar, and water buffalo. Observe other resident mammals, too, that include jackals, civets, macaques, langurs, and Indian hares. Look to the ground for five species of mice, the Indian bush rat, and three species of mongoose.

The Sri Lankan sloth bear lives here, too, although you may not have a sighting because of its rarity.

Scan for resident breeding birds such as Sri Lanka spurfowl, junglefowl and grey hornbill, the red-faced malkoha, and brown-capped babbler. Witness the variety of water birds visiting the reservoir, including cormorants, the spot-billed pelican, Asian openbill, painted stork, black-headed ibis, and Eurasian spoonbill. In the open parkland, check for a variety of eagles and other birds of prey. Observe the abundance of land birds that include the Indian roller, Indian peafowl, Malabar pied hornbill, and pied cuckoo.

When your three-hour adventure ends, reboard your coach for a relaxing 45-minute drive to your Forest Brunch. Step into the special setting created for you at a particularly scenic spot within the forest. Enjoy a generous and leisurely meal of traditional and familiar foods at the pop-up restaurant.

Return to your coach for the 75-minute drive back to the Hambanthota port pier.

Note

Please note: This excursion is suitable for guests with limited mobility. Comfortable clothing that is dull colored is recommended, including hat or cap and comfortable walking shoes. There are two hours of driving in air-conditioned coaches, and approximately another four hours of driving in jeeps, which are not air conditioned. Mobile camp style restrooms are available at the forest brunch location.