Udawalawe reservoir is a man-made rainwater reservoir with a surface area of 3400ha providing irrigation for farmlands downstream & generating hydroelectric power to the tropical island of Sri Lanka. You will be reaching the park by following the road along the 4km bund across the Uda Walawe rainwater reservoir.

The park is home to jungle cat, sloth bear, porcupine, pangolin, macaque, langur, jackal, leopard, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar, mongoose, bandicoot, fox giant flying squirrel, water buffalo, crocodile and water monitor lizard.

In 1995, Department of Wildlife in Sri Lanka, in an attempt to support the orphaned calves from the other areas of the island, set up the Elephant Transit Centre at Uda Walawe National Park itself with the support of Born Free Foundation. Twenty of the 32 calves are “foster parented”. As in the famous Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, herein too you would have the joy of seeing the baby elephants being bottle fed. Although it is fun to watch baby elephants being bottle-fed every three hours, since the jolly good fellows are kept in pens, you will not get right amongst them & caress them as you do with good little fellows at the famous Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage of Sri Lanka. At the age of five, the young elephants are returned to the wild: living free. While some are born free in the wild some are born in the captivity at Uda Walawe Elephant transit Centre.

Maduwanwela Walauwa (walauwa refers to an ancestral house) also known as the Burutha Maligawa (“satinwood castle”), was originally built in the 18th century by Maduwanwela Maha Mohottala during the Dutch occupation. The Walauwa has been home to six generations of the Maduwanwela family. The current layout of the ..

Madunagala Hot Springs is a wonderful creation of nature in all its natural beauty. Historically, these hot springs flowed into a natural water hole which has become the most attracted tourist destination in the island of the southern province. This is monitored and controlled by the Southern Province Tourism Board. Changing rooms, western toilets and small shops with snacks and beverages are close by to the destination as benefits for the visitors.

On the opposite side of the main road, in the Kolonne Regional Secretariat area of the Sabaragamuwa Province, lies the Wavulpane limestone cave. Three hundred metres above sea level, it has stalagmites and stalactites. This cave derives its name from the many thousands of bats living in it. So make sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting soiled!

Located in the eastern part of the Sinharaja forest, Morningside has also been declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB Reserve) under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention

Nearby Travel Destinations which are most popular

Ella which is one of the most popular travel destinations is blessed with some of the most beautiful views, you could find in Sri Lanka.Only 2 hours drive from Kottawatta Village, this small town is used as a base for plenty of trekking expeditions to the surrounding countryside. Whwn you climb top yo the Little Adamspeak where you seem to be standing at the edge of the world, everything around you seems to disappear at your feet. Some of the other places you could see in Ella are the Ella Gap, Ravana Ella Falls, Little Adam’s Peak and Bambaragala Peak among the other many varied pleasant walks with stunning scenery. The train trip to Ella from Kandy is one of the scenic train tours in South Asia.

Haputale is a one of the unique places in Sri Lanka. You will be standing on a Mountain top being able to see Landscapes of North, South West and East. The South geo plane run towards distance sea and north runs to far Mountains of Nuwaraeliya and Ella. The eastern plane is one tea plantation that disappears into far sky and green valley of Buduruwagala Paddy fields and forest. The Climate is cool in this Tea City. The train trip to or from Haputale is one of best experiences you will make in Sri Lanka.

Surrounded by hills and tea plantations, the town of Nuwara Eliya enjoys spring-like weather throughout the year. A favorite retreat of the British during colonial times, the town is dotted with English country style houses and half-timbered bungalows. No surprise it’s earned the name “Little England” and it makes the place a must to include in your travel itinerary. Nuwara Eliya offers many activities for tourists including visits to tea plantations golfing, horse riding, boating, hiking and exploring the beauty of the landscaped gardens and waterfalls.

Tissamaharamaya – one hour and 15 minutes –
65 km

The historical towns of Tissamaharamaya are located South East in the Hambantota district. Tissa is dominated by lotus filled lakes, lush green paddyfields and gigantic Dagobas (Buddhist temples) that dates back to the 2nd century B.C. Modern Tissa is a bustling city with the main street lined with banks, shops & little cafes and kiosks. Refreshing breeze from the large reservoir sweeps the town. The town in turn is bounded by a beautiful expanse of paddy fields. In the midst of paddy fields stands most impressive of Tissa’s dagobas (stupas). The combination of cluster of dagobas & two beautiful tanks lend Tissa a certain distinction & a sense of history making it in sharp contrast with the other towns of southern coast.

Kataragama – 1 hour and 45 minutes – 85 km

Kataragama is a place frequented by adherents of all religions in Sri Lanka and this city now declared a sacred city.The annual procession held in the months of July-August is the main pageant and is as colourful as any other pageant in the country.It has, as the concluding event, the performance of fire walking by the devotees. Kavadi dancing is another attraction in the pageant. There are devotees who perform this dance to fulfil vows even on other occasions.

Yala – 2 hours – 90 km ( Katagamuwa Entrance )

Yala National Park or Ruhuna National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. It is situated in the southeast region of the country, and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometres (378 sq mi) and is located about 24km northeast of Tissamaharama and 300 km (190 mi) from Colombo. It had originally had been designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu it was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of its wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants and aquatic birds.

Tangalla is a medium sized town celebrated for its sweeping bays and beautiful sandy beaches. It is one of the nicest spots along the coast, particularly if you just want somewhere to relax and soak up the sun. The town itself is an easy-going place with some reminders of Dutch days. Heading southwest there is a whole series of smaller bays and beaches. From a distance it looks idyllic, but up close it is another story.

Galle known as the capital city of the Southern Sri Lanka is about 116 km from Colombo. Boasting of a proud history that goes back 100 of years to the period when the country was occupied by foreign rule, This city with its rich history still maintains the old world charm and romance with its legendry Dutch Fort built in 1663 which is situated in 36 hectares of land.The Fort now a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site; with its stunning view of the ocean is a most enjoyable and nostalgic place to visit. Galle also offers other attractions like the coral reefs,golden beaches, tropical rain forests, archeologically interesting buildingsand artifacts and much more.The beautiful beach of Unawatuna which lies just 6km from Galle is home to a wide variety of fish andturtle and exotic coral reefs.

Kandy is the English name for the city of Maha Nuvara (Senkadagalapura) in the centre of Sri Lanka. It lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy Valley,which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea.Kandy is one of the most scenic cities.in Sri Lanka; it is both an administrative and religious city. It is the capital of the Central Province (which encompasses the districts of Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya) and also of Kandy District.Gampola is a large town located near Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.Ambuluwawa,Gadaladeniya Viharaya, Lankathilaka Viharaya are the main attractions around Gampola.