Embarking on a journey from Ella to the renowned Udawalawe National Park, adventurers can enjoy a captivating wildlife experience. The full-day safari promises an up-close encounter with Sri Lanka’s diverse fauna, including the park’s impressive population of around 500 elephants. Beyond the game drive, the tour also includes a visit to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, offering a unique insight into the conservation efforts for these majestic creatures. With flexible payment options and free cancellation, this excursion presents an opportunity to uncover the natural wonders of Sri Lanka’s wilderness. What awaits within the heart of Udawalawe’s untamed landscape?
Key Points
- This tour offers a full-day experience from Ella to Udawalawe National Park, with a 3-hour game drive and a visit to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home.
- The tour prices range from KČ1,732 to KČ1,558 per person, with potential savings of up to 10% and the option to reserve now and pay later.
- The tour includes transportation, a 3-hour game drive, and a visit to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, with complimentary bottled water and a delicious lunch.
- Udawalawe National Park is home to approximately 500 elephants and diverse wildlife, providing a rich wildlife viewing experience.
- The tour includes pickup from the hotel in Ella, a 2-hour car ride to the national park, and a return transfer back to the hotel after the tour.
Tour Overview and Pricing
The tour typically offers a full-day experience from Ella to Udawalawe National Park, with prices ranging from Kč1,732 to Kč1,558 per person, allowing for potential savings of up to 10%.
The duration of the tour is 10 hours, and it includes free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Travelers also have the option to reserve now and pay later.
The tour covers transportation, a 3-hour game drive, and a visit to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, ensuring a comprehensive wildlife viewing experience.
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Itinerary Details
In an article titled ‘From Ella: Udawalawe Safari With Elephant Transit Home’, your tour’s itinerary details a pickup from your hotel in Ella, followed by a 2-hour car ride to Udawalawe National Park. Once there, you’ll embark on a 3-hour game drive to observe the diverse wildlife. Plus, a 30-minute car ride takes you to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home for further wildlife viewing opportunities. Afterward, you’ll transfer back to your hotel in Ella.
| Itinerary Details | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pickup Location | Your hotel in Ella | |
| Travel | 2-hour car ride | to Udawalawe Park |
| Safari | 3-hour game drive | for wildlife |
| Extra Fee | 30-minute car ride | to Transit Home |
| Return | Transfer back | to hotel in Ella |
Wildlife Experience
Udawalawe National Park spans an impressive 230,821 hectares and is home to approximately 500 elephants, along with a diverse array of other wildlife species.
During the safari, visitors can spot wild buffalo, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar, sambhur, hare, mongoose, crocodiles, and 30 species of snakes.
The park also features 50 species of butterflies and many bird species, offering a rich and varied wildlife experience.
Exploring this vast and thriving ecosystem is a highlight of the tour, providing an opportunity to witness the park’s remarkable biodiversity and get up close with some of Sri Lanka’s most iconic animals in their natural habitat.
Included Amenities
Alongside the wildlife experience, the Udawalawe safari tour also includes an array of amenities to enhance the overall experience.
Travelers can expect complimentary bottled water to stay hydrated throughout the day. The tour includes transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, ensuring a comfortable journey to and from the national park.
Pickup and drop-off at the hotel in Ella are provided for added convenience. Visitors will also enjoy a delicious lunch at a local hotel in Udawalawe.
Entrance fees to both the national park and the Elephant Transit Home are covered, allowing seamless access to these attractions. Gratuities for the guide and driver are optional, giving guests the flexibility to reward exceptional service.
More Great Thing To Do NearbyCustomer Reviews and Ratings
Traveler reviews and ratings paint a nuanced picture of the Udawalawe safari experience, with a mix of praise and constructive feedback. According to the available information, the overall rating stands at 3.3 out of 5 based on 4 reviews. The ratings can be broken down into the following categories:
| Metric | Rating |
|---|---|
| Transportation | 2/5 |
| Value for Money | 4/5 |
| Service | 5/5 |
| Organization | 5/5 |
Positive feedback highlights the excellence of the drivers and guides, the stunning wildlife sightings, including elephants and alligators, and a general recommendation for the experience. However, the transportation score points to an area that could potentially be improved to enhance the overall experience.
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Departure and Pickup Locations
From your hotel in Ella, guests embark on the safari journey, with a 2-hour car ride transporting them to the entrance of Udawalawe National Park. The tour provides convenient hotel pickup, ensuring a seamless start to the day’s adventure.
After arriving at the national park, visitors will begin their 3-hour game drive, seeing the diverse wildlife and natural wonders of this expansive reserve.
For an additional fee, the tour also includes a 30-minute car ride to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, where guests can observe the rescued elephants and learn about the important conservation efforts in the region.
The journey concludes with a transfer back to the hotel in Ella, capping off a day filled with unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Optional Extras
For an additional fee, visitors can extend their safari experience with a 30-minute car ride to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, where they can observe the rescued elephants and learn about the important conservation efforts in the region.
The Elephant Transit Home is a rehabilitation center that cares for orphaned or injured elephants, with the goal of eventually releasing them back into the wild.
Guests will have the opportunity to witness the elephants’ daily feeding and observe the dedicated staff as they tend to the animals’ needs.
This optional add-on provides a unique chance to gain deeper insight into Sri Lanka’s elephant conservation initiatives and the vital role they play in protecting these magnificent creatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Age Restrictions for This Tour?
The tour does not have any age restrictions. It is suitable for travelers of all ages, from young children to senior citizens, who can comfortably participate in a full-day safari and wildlife viewing experience.
Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks?
Participants can bring their own food and drinks for the tour. However, lunch from a local hotel in Udawalawe is included in the tour price. Bottled water is also provided as part of the amenities.
Is There an Option for a Private Tour?
Yes, a private tour option is available for this Udawalawe safari. Customers can book a private tour with a dedicated vehicle and guide. This allows for a more personalized experience and flexibility in the itinerary.
Do I Need Any Special Equipment or Gear?
Guests don’t need any special equipment or gear for the Udawalawe safari. Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and insect repellent are recommended. The tour provides bottled water and a safari vehicle, so travelers can focus on enjoying the wildlife experience.
Are There Any Additional Fees for Photography/Videography?
There are no additional fees for photography or videography during the safari tour. Guests are free to take photos and videos of the wildlife within the national park and Elephant Transit Home at no extra cost.
Recap
This full-day safari from Ella to Udawalawe National Park offers an immersive wildlife experience.
Guests can observe a diverse range of animals, including around 500 elephants, during an exciting 3-hour game drive.
The tour also includes a visit to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, providing unique insights into elephant conservation efforts.
With flexible payment options and free cancellation, this adventure promises an unforgettable day exploring Sri Lanka’s natural wonders.
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