What type of ecosystem does Udawalawe National Park have?

Udawalawe mainly features a tropical dry-zone ecosystem, with open grasslands, sparse thorn-scrub jungle, and riverine forests that stay important along its waterways.

The main geographical anchor is the Udawalawe Reservoir; it keeps supporting the nearby flora and fauna even during long dry seasons. This mix of open plains and steady water supplies makes the setting feel closer to the African savanna, rather than the thick tropical jungles you see elsewhere in Sri Lanka, so it directly helps maintain the high visibility of its big mammal populations.