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Kaudulla National Park Elephants: The Adventure Safari, Best Time To Visit, Ticket Price And More
BY Sibashree Mar 11, 2026
My trip to Kandy was one of the best cultural experiences I had in Sri Lanka. From Kandy, I decided to further go for a wildlife safari in Kaudulla National Park. I certainly could not miss watching the elephants, and more so, because unlike many rehabilitation centers, the elephants are not chained at the Kaudulla National Park. Also, I was staying at Habarana, which is very close to the national park. So, traveling was easy for me. Hi, in today’s guide, I will talk about my encounters with the most intelligent and empathetic animals in the world, the elephants in Sri Lanka. However, before that, I will share some essential details about visiting the National Park. Where Is The Kaudulla National Park? The Kaudulla National Park is located in the Polonnaruwa District of Sri Lanka. It is located at a distance of around 197 km from the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. Furthermore, the distance between Kandy and the Kaudulla National Park is around 122 km. Kandy, in the central province, is the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. Also, the major gateway near the Kaudulla National Park is Habarana in the Anuradhapura District. The distance between these two places is around 28 km. In addition, thanks to the proximity to Habarana, the Kaudulla National Park is close to national parks such as the Kalawewa National Park and cultural and historical attractions such as the Sigiriya Rock, Pidurangala Rock, and the Ritigara Forest Monastery. How To Reach The Kaudulla National Park? The Kaudulla National Park is well-connected to many major airports in Sri Lanka. However, the Sigiriya (GIU) Airport is the closest to the National Park, and the travel time from the airport to the national park is around 53 minutes. The second-closest airport is Trincomalee, which is around 55 km away. Also, if you are traveling from the Colombo Airport, around 157 km away, you have to first reach Habarana, and then you can travel to the Kaudulla National Park. How To Reach The Kaudulla National Park From Habarana? Buses, taxis, and tuk-tuks are easily available from Habarana to Kaudulla National Park. You will get a bus once a day from Habarana, and the bus to Gayola is run by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB ICT). It takes around 19 minutes to cover the journey. Moreover, you can contact +94 112 581 120 to know about the journey and ticket prices. Furthermore, you will get a private taxi from Habarana, and the cost is around INR 240 or 680 LKR. What Is The Best Time To Visit The Kaudulla National Park? August to December, or the dry season, is the best time to visit the Kaudulla National Park. It is the best season because the elephants gather here in the dry season in search of water. They migrate here from the nearby national parks. Furthermore, in a day, early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to visit the national park, as wildlife sightings are at their maximum in these hours. What Are The Kaudulla National Park Ticket Prices And Hours? The Kaudulla National Park remains open from 6 AM to 6:30 PM. However, safaris in the national park are conducted early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The safari tour tickets in this national park start from $95. Moreover, once you pay for the safari tour, the entry fee to the park is also included. The ticket also includes a free pick up and drop off to and from the hotels of Minneriya, Habarana, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, and Kandalama. Kaudulla National Park Jeep Safari Price And Timings Safari Tours Timings Tour Price (5 PAX) Kaudulla Evening Safari 1 PM to 3:30 PM $95 for Adults $30 for Children (6-11 Years) Free for Children Under 5 Years Kaudulla Morning Safari 6 AM to 9 AM $95 for Adults $30 for Children (6-11 Years) Free for Children Under 5 Years Kaudulla & Minneriya Full-day Safari 6 AM to 7:30 AM $190 You can call the Kaudulla National Park contact number, +94776487757, to know more details about the safari ticket prices. My Experience On The Kaudulla National Park Elephant Safari The jeep drove down the extensive stretch of dirt road, and we entered the national park. Within minutes, our first encounter with the wildlife was a jackal. As we continued through the main road, Kumar, our guide, kept showing us different monkeys, birds, and lizards. I was loving the experience, apart from the dodges we had to do to get away from the low-lying branches of the trees. After a drive for a while through the dense forest, we finally reached the grassland, and the Kaudulla Wewa Lake was the first major stop on the way. 1. Kaudulla Wewa Lake After reaching the Kaudulla Wewa Lake, the first thing that caught my eye was the branch of an old tree. It resembled a telegraph pole, and one member of our safari group also mistook it for the same. Furthermore, a majestic sea eagle was sitting on its top. Along with this bird with its regal blue plumage, we also spotted storks, peacocks, and egrets. Moreover, there was a buffalo that was having its munch time, and it was occasionally playing host to the tiny birds who were sitting on its back and head, making the entire scenario appear very playful. 2. Spotting The Elephants: The Dream Come True Moment We were in the middle of the safari tour, and we were dying to see a glimpse of the majestic grey creatures. Then suddenly, we reached an isolated wooded area where scores of elephants were waiting for us. Also, they were busy having a bath, playing, rolling in the mud, and grazing. I had goosebumps as they are truly my spirit animals. So, our jeep was around 20 meters away from them, and from a safe distance, each of us in the jeep captured as many photos as possible. Moreover, the best thing was that the group had many calves, and it was nice to see them interacting with their mothers. Animal Welfare In The Kaudulla National Park Let’s be honest! I visited the Kaudulla National Park with some preconceived notions about animal welfare. There are many videos and images on the internet showing how solitary animals such as leopards are targeted by photographers and safari tour conductors. Moreover, you cannot surround a solitary creature with 20 jeeps and claim the preservation of animal welfare. However, during my safari tour, I did not notice such a thing. The number of jeeps was decent, and each of the jeeps maintained a safe distance from the animals. Moreover, the elephants were not chained, and they were roaming freely between the Kaudulla Park and other neighboring parks. What Are The Other National Parks To Visit Near The Kaudulla National Park? Along with the Kaudulla National Park, Habarana is also the gateway to the Minneriya and Kalawewa national parks. 1. Minneriya National Park You can reach the Minneriya National Park with a short drive from the east of the Habarana town. However, as I have already mentioned, you can take a combined safari tour of the Kaudulla National Park and Minneriya National Park. Moreover, this national park, covering 90 square kilometers, has elephants and many other wildlife. 2. Kalawewa National Park The Kalawewa National Park is home to the rare breed of tusked elephants in Sri Lanka. Also, you have to take a drive of around 45 minutes west of Habaraba to visit the Kalawewa National Park. Moreover, December to March is the best season to visit this national park.
