Our chauffeur guide will pick you up from your hotel near Colombo or Negombo and drive you to Udawalawe, where you’ll check in to your hotel.

Your first visit will be to the Ethathuru Sewana (Elephant Transit Home).

In 1995, the Department of Wildlife Conservation took a significant step towards the welfare and conservation of orphaned baby elephants by establishing the “Ath Athuru Sevana” (Elephant Transit Home) at Udawalawe National Park.

The Elephant Transit Home (ETH) cares for orphaned elephant calves until they are independent and ready to be released back into the wild. While the general public largely supported this initiative, many conservationists initially doubted its feasibility. Some even opposed the program and attempted to halt it. However, Dr. Nandana Atapattu, the former Head of the Division of Wild Animal Health at the Department of Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka, championed the cause.

In the evening, you’ll enjoy a jeep safari at Udawalawe National Park.

Udawalawe National Park lies on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces in Sri Lanka. The park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River and to protect the reservoir’s catchment area. Covering 30,821 hectares (119.00 sq mi), the park was established on June 30, 1972. Before becoming a national park, the area was used for shifting cultivation (chenafarming), and farmers were gradually relocated after the park’s designation. Located 165 kilometers (103 mi) from Colombo, Udawalawe is a crucial habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third most visited park in the country.

On the second day, at 06:00, you’ll start your drive to Yala National Park for a jeep safari.

Yala National Park is the most visited and second-largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. The park consists of five blocks, two of which are open to the public, along with adjoining parks. The blocks have individual names, such as Ruhuna National Park (Block 1) and Kumana National Park or ‘Yala East’ for the adjoining area. Located in the southeast region of the country, the park spans Southern Province and Uva Province. Covering 979 square kilometers (378 sq mi), Yala is about 300 kilometers (190 mi) from Colombo. Designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, Yala, along with Wilpattu, was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, established in 1938. The park is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards, and aquatic birds.

After finishing the safari, you’ll drive back to Colombo via the highway.

Points of Interest

• Colombo

• Private tour
• Bottled water included
• National Park fees covered
• All taxes, fees, and handling charges included
• Complimentary snacks
• Dinner provided
• Breakfast included
• Overnight accommodation arranged

• Lunch