Can elephants be seen bathing in Udawalawe?

Yes, visitors often see wild elephants bathing, drinking, and just socialising around the edges of the Udawalawe Reservoir and also at smaller waterholes inside the park; it is pretty common.

Bathing is a vital daily ritual for elephants; they use it to help regulate body temperature during the dry zone heat. The best moments to witness it are in the mid to late afternoon, when groups slowly move toward the reservoir. Also, visitors can observe calves being fed milk at the Elephant Transit Home nearby, which is just outside the park.