Kaudulla national park is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants. It is located right next to the Minneriya national park and elephant herds migrate between the two parks frequently, in search of water. Kaudulla national park is a vital eco system belonging to a series of adjoining protected areas in the Mahaweli river basin. This area is high in biodiversity and is home to more than 200 wild elephants. Altogether, Kaudulla records 24 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of freshwater fish and 160 species of birds. Endangered mammals list at Kaudulla include the Sri Lankan leopard, Sri Lankan sloth bear, wild boar, mouse deer, spotted deer and albino axis deer. The vegetation in Kaudulla national park is very similar to the surrounding dry zone vegetation in the area. It is categorised as dry evergreen forests. Abandoned chena cultivations can be seen inside the park as well.
Kaudulla Map
Safari Information
Kaudulla National Park Opening and Closing Times – 6.00 a.m to 6.00 p.m
Kaudulla Safari Duration – 3 Hours
Major eco-systems inside Kaudulla National Park
- Tropical Dry Mixed Evergreen Forest
- Wetlands, Grasslands
- Abondoned chena cultivation
- lakebeds
Area in Kaudulla National Park
Kaudulla National Park Total Area – 30,821 hectares
Other information about Kaudulla National Park
Status – National park, Important bird area (IBAs), Catment area of Minneriya wewa
Altitude – 100m to 885m
Annual Rainfall – 1146mm
Average annual temperature – 27.50C
Closest Towns – Minneriya, Habarana, Polonnaruwa
Nearest Hospital – Hingurakgoda District Hospital
Access Roads to Kaudulla National Park
- Colombo to Minneriya (191km)
- Habarana to Minneriya (9.4km)
- Dambulla to Minneriya (30.8km)
- Polonnaruwa to Minneriya (37.1km)
- Sigiriya to Minneriya (19.5km)
Major Attractions of Kaudulla Safari – Sri Lankan Elephant, Sri Lankan Sloth Bear, Birdlife
Best time to visit Minneriya National Park – July to October
Useful Tips for Kaudulla Safari Drive
- It is best to start early or late in to the afternoon when the animals come out of the shade.
- It will be a bumpy ride.
- Minneriya can get busy sometimes. You can ask your tracker to avoid the crowds if necessary.
- Take enough bottled water. Don’t forget to stay hydrated.
- Take care of yourself and others. Never get out of your safari jeep unless permitted by your tracker. Do not feed the animals inside the park. There are records of wild elephant attacks when safari jeeps got too close. Always remember that you are in the wild.