Taxi in Udawalawe

Getting to and from Udawalawe

Reaching the park means turning away from the coast and climbing inland through the gem towns around Ratnapura, on roads that are sound enough but rarely straight for long. There is no fast approach to the boundary from any direction, and the final stretch runs through open scrub where elephants sometimes stand at the fence line. Most journeys are booked to arrive the evening before a safari rather than the morning of one, because the gate opens earlier than a long drive comfortably allows.

Arranging a pickup

Lodges are scattered along the road either side of the entrance rather than gathered into a town, so give the property name and say which side of the gate it stands on. A driver will usually wait through a morning game drive when the booking says so in advance.