Mahoora Tented Safaris - Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park is in the southern dry-zone of Sri Lanka and spans approximately 31,000 hectares, providing for ample elephant safari opportunities as well as observing the Park’s other Sri Lankan wildlife. The Park straddles two Provinces in the South of Sri Lanka and includes the Udawalawe Reservoir. The Udawalawe National Park is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and is second in popularity only to the Yala National Park.
The dry land area of the Udawalawe National Park is about 119 square miles excluding the reservoir, which is approximately 29,000 hectares. The Udawalawe Reservoir is situated within the boundaries of the Park, and draws its water from the Horton Plains Reserve, the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and the Haputale area. The Reservoir has become an important area for breeding aquatic birds.
Big game and mammals encountered at the Udawalawe National Park
Mammals in Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka
Udawalawe National Park is home to Sri Lankan wildlife such as the Rusty-spotted Cat, Fishing Cat and the Sri Lankan Leopard. Other species include the Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Sri Lankan Axis Deer, Indian Muntjac, Sri Lankan Spotted Chevrotain, Wild Boar and Water Buffalo. Presence of the Golden Jackal, Asian Palm Civet, Toque Macaque, Tufted Grey Langur and the Indian Hare has also been recorded. Large numbers of Golden Palm Civets are present here along with five species of mice, Indian Bush Rat and three species of Mongoose.
Birds at the Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka
An incredible total of 183 bird species have been recorded as inhabiting the Park and many others pass through on their migratory routes, making Udawalawe National Park a great place for a memorable bird safari.
The avifauna includes large numbers of Warblers, together with the usual low country birds in forested areas, and a variety of raptors. Water birds observed on the reservoir include rare visitors such as the Indian Cormorant and Osprey. Notable endemic species are the Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Malabar pied hornbill and the Brown-capped Babbler.
Reptiles in Udawalawe National park Sri Lanka
Udawalawe National Park is also home to Oriental Garden Lizards, Painted-lip Lizards, Mugger Crocodiles, Water Monitors, Bengal Monitors and 30 species of snake. Oreochromis spp, Giant gourami, Catla and Rohu are important species of fish found in the reservoir.
Flora at the Udawalawe National Park
Endemic Flora in Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka Originally densely forested, savanna grasslands and thorn-scrub now predominate the Park. Much of the forest was destroyed by chena - slash and burn - cultivation. Scattered trees, constituting 20-50 percent of existing cover, are mainly Satin, Ehala and Lunumidella. In the riverine forest, Kumbuk and the endemic Mandorang trees are dominant.
Climate at the Udawalawe National Park
The climate in the Udawalawe National Park is characterized by seasonal rainfall and uniformly high temperature conditions. The average annual rainfall is about 1,500 mm in the south end, and it gradually increases towards the north. The annual average temperature is 32°C with no serious fluctuations being recorded.
Two rainfall peaks occur in a year, one between April and May and the other between October and November. A short dry spell is experienced between February and March, and a prolonged dry period is observed from mid-May until the end of September.
