Can I visit Udawalawe as a day trip?

Yes, Udawalawe is a really good day trip stop if you’re coming from the well-known southern coastal towns like Mirissa, Tangalle, and Galle, or even from the hill country town of Ella.

The one-way drive from the south coast takes around 1.5 to 2.5 hours. A lot of travellers leave their beach accommodation by 12:30 PM, reach Udawalawe in time for the 3:00 PM safari, and then head back to the coast so they can have a late dinner. This practical timing makes Udawalawe one of the more reachable big national parks in Sri Lanka.