Udawalawe is famous for its large elephant population, with hundreds of wild elephants roaming freely. You can see herds, lone bulls, and baby elephants, often very close to safari jeeps. The best time to spot them is early morning or late afternoon. Great for spotting elephants drinking, bathing, and even play-fighting. Located just outside the park, this center rehabilitates orphaned elephants and releases them back into the wild. The best time to visit is during the feeding sessions (usually 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 6:00 PM). Though leopards are not as common as in Yala National Park, Udawalawe does have a small leopard population. If lucky, you may also spot fishing cats and jungle cats. Udawalawe has plenty of water buffalo, often seen wallowing in mud or grazing. Sambar deer and spotted deer are also commonly seen near the open plains. Udawalawe National Park is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see wildlife, especially elephants, in their natural habitat