Is August busy in Udawalawe?

August is arguably the busiest month of the year in Udawalawe, and it lines up with the big European summer school breaks, plus the dazzling Kandy Esala Perahera festival that pulls tourists from all over the island. Because of that, the park also ends up with a large stream of day visitors.

In August, jeep traffic within the park reaches its highest point. Then, when a special encounter shows up, like a leopard or a very large tusker, dozens of vehicles often end up converging at the same spot. So booking everything, from your hotel to the jeep itself, months ahead becomes essential.