What is the Udawalawe Reservoir known for?

Udawalawe Reservoir is well known as the main water source that keeps the national park’s huge elephant population going, and it also supports a lively network of aquatic birds that frequent the area.

It was put together in 1969 by blocking the Walawe River, and this wide man-made lake helps stop the local wildlife from having to roam elsewhere when droughts show up. Even though the trees are underwater, their trunks rise above the surface and become these recognisable roost sites for pelicans and cormorants. Along the edge of the reservoir, the path is considered the best place for safari jeeps, because large herds of elephants graze there at dusk.