Are hiking trails available near Udawalawe?

Hiking is not allowed inside Udawalawe National Park; this is to ensure visitor safety, yet a few walking paths can be found at nearby eco-lodges. Guests can also walk in the region around the park, for example, on the trails close to the Udawalawe Reservoir.

The national park is strict about a “stay in the vehicle” rule because of the heavy presence of wild elephants and other wildlife that can be risky. At the same time, guided nature walks run by peripheral accommodations often move through park buffer zones, so people get solid bird watching and flora identification experiences, without putting safety at risk.