Sri Lanka has several national parks, each known for its unique attractions. While Yala National Park is known for its leopard population, Udawalawe National Park is famous for its elephants.

Udawalawe is relatively small, covering just 308 square kilometers (119 square miles), but it's home to over 500 elephants. With such a compact area and a high elephant density, your chances of spotting these majestic animals are pretty high.

However, because Udawalawe is popular for its "elephant guarantee," you'll probably encounter many other tourists trying to catch a glimpse of the wildlife. As you enter the park, you'll see many jeeps, but your driver will try to offer you the best experience possible, steering clear of large groups.

Unlike Yala, Udawalawe doesn't have leopards. I couldn't decide between visiting Yala or Udawalawe, but knowing that leopards are shy and nocturnal, it makes them hard to spot. Also, their presence can scare away other wildlife.

That's why I chose to go visit Udawalawe. Besides elephants, you'll find plenty of water buffalos, monkeys, crocodiles, deer, lizards, peacocks, birds, and insects.

Booking a tour through your hotel is simple. I suggest the sunset tour because it's less crowded compared to the sunrise one. The tour lasts 3 hours, either from 6 to 9 am or from 3 to 6 pm, when animals are most active. It's too hot during the day.

A jeep ride costs about 35 USD per jeep, and the park entrance fee is 70 USD per person.