Bundala National Park Safari offers a wonderful opportunity to see some of the most remarkable wildlife and bird species in the south of Sri Lanka. Don't miss the chance to witness the Greater Flamingo, one of the most iconic migratory birds that winters here.
Includes:
- Park entrance tickets are included when "+ Tickets" is selected
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from/to Ahangama
- Transport throughout the tour in an air-conditioned vehicle with the service of an English-speaking chauffeur
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Safari jeep with the service of an English-speaking driver (also your tracker)
- One liter of bottled mineral water per person
- All taxes and service charges
Excludes:
- Park entrance tickets are excluded when "No Tickets" is selected
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Food or drinks
- Gratuities (optional)
- Expenses of personal nature
Experience:
You will begin your tour from Ahangama at 11:00 am. Your chauffeur will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Bundala. You will reach Bundala by 2:00 pm and continue to Bundala National Park, where you will meet your safari jeep for a three-hour wildlife adventure.
Bundala is a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, an Important Bird Area recognized by BirdLife International, and the first Ramsar site in Sri Lanka. Located on the southern coast, the park features a dry zone climate and five saltwater lagoons. It supports a wide range of plant life, including many aquatic species. During your safari, you may encounter some of the 324 species of animals that call Bundala home. Small herds of elephants often roam the park. You may also spot langurs, pangolins, barking deer, sambar, various other deer species, wild boar, rusty-spotted cats, black-naped hares, and jackals.
Bundala is also famous for its crocodiles and is the only park in Sri Lanka where both species can be seen—the freshwater (mugger) crocodile and the estuarine crocodile. Other reptiles include tortoises, numerous snake species (including the endemic flying snake), and all five species of globally endangered sea turtles that nest in Sri Lanka.
The park is a haven for nearly 200 bird species during peak migration. Thousands of Greater Flamingos arrive each year, along with many other bird species such as cormorants, ducks including the lesser whistling duck and garganey, spoonbills, painted storks, black-necked storks, and Eurasian coots.
After your safari, you will return to your vehicle and arrive back in Ahangama by 8:30 pm, completing your tour.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Udawalawe National Park?
Udawalawe National Park lies in southern Sri Lanka, on the boundary of the Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces, around the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River. From Ahangama on the south coast it is roughly a 2.5 to 3 hour drive, about 110 km each way.
Is transport from Ahangama included?
Yes. Return private road transport between Ahangama and Udawalawe National Park is included in every option, along with your safari jeep at the park.
What animals will I see on the safari?
Udawalawe is one of the best places in Asia to see wild Asian elephants, with herds visible throughout the year. You may also spot water buffalo, spotted deer, sambar, crocodiles, wild boar, jackal, mongoose, peacocks and a wealth of birds and raptors; leopards are present but rarely seen.
When is the best time to visit Udawalawe?
Elephants can be seen at Udawalawe all year round, which makes it one of Sri Lanka's most reliable safari parks. The drier months from May to September offer easier game viewing, while early morning and late afternoon are the most active and comfortable times for a safari.
How long does the trip take?
This is a full-day trip from Ahangama. Allow around 2.5 to 3 hours of driving each way, with the jeep safari inside the park lasting roughly 3 to 4 hours depending on the option you choose.
Is the safari private?
Yes. You travel from Ahangama in a private vehicle and explore the park in your own safari jeep with an experienced driver-tracker, so you set the pace and get the best positions for viewing and photographing wildlife. The vehicle scales with your group size, from a car up to a larger van.
Are park entrance tickets included?
It depends on the option you choose. Select a "with park tickets" option to include the national-park entrance and service fees in your booking, or a "no park tickets" option if you prefer to settle the park fees separately at the entrance.
What should I bring?
Bring a hat, sunscreen, drinking water, a camera or binoculars, and light, neutral-coloured clothing. Mornings and late afternoons can be breezy in an open jeep, so a light layer is handy.
