Quick answer
Udawalawe National Park is in the dry zone, with roughly 1,500 mm of rain a year. Most falls from about October to January, with smaller storms in March and April. June to September are dry, hot and windy, with open, dusty grassland and elephants easy to see near the reservoir. The park is open all year, and elephants are seen in every month. Highs are about 31 to 34 °C, so early morning and late afternoon drives are best.
Key takeaways
- Udawalawe is open all year, and elephants are seen in every month.
- The rainy season runs roughly from October to January, when the park turns green.
- June to September are dry and windy, with elephants concentrated near the reservoir.
- Highs are about 31 to 34 °C, so morning and late afternoon drives are the most comfortable.
- Udawalawe is a good alternative while Yala is closed, usually around September and October.
Udawalawe's climate in brief
Udawalawe lies on the boundary of the wet and dry zones, south of the hill country, around a large reservoir on the Walawe river. It receives roughly 1,500 mm of rain a year, more than Yala but far less than the hills just to the north.
Most rain comes from the second inter-monsoon and the northeast monsoon, from about October to January. March and April bring some afternoon storms. The southwest monsoon months, from June to September, are dry and windy, as the hills to the west block the rain.
Temperatures are high: about 31 to 34 °C by day and 22 to 25 °C at night. The park has open grassland and scrub, with limited shade on the tracks.
The reservoir itself, built in the 1960s, shapes the park. In the dry months its shoreline retreats and leaves grassy flats that draw elephants, water buffalo and wading birds. In the wet months it fills and the grass grows tall on the plains around it, so animals spread more widely through the park.
- →Annual rain: roughly 1,500 mm.
- →Wettest: October to January.
- →Driest: June to September.
June to September
In the dry months, the grassland turns golden and the scrub thins out. Elephants gather near the reservoir and along the water channels, and they are easy to see in the open. Dust rises on the tracks, and the afternoons are hot and windy.
These months are also when Yala usually has its annual closure, roughly September to October, so Udawalawe takes many of the safari visitors from the south coast and Ella. Book jeeps early in August and September.
The best drives are early morning, when the light is soft and the animals active, and late afternoon, when the heat eases.
- →Elephants near water.
- →Dusty, windy afternoons.
- →Busy while Yala is closed.
October to January
From October, storms bring the first rain, and the park turns green within weeks. November and December are the wettest months, with heavy afternoon showers and occasional wet days. The grass grows tall, and elephants spread out, but they remain easy to find in the open areas.
Migrant birds arrive from about October, and the park is excellent for raptors, waders and bee-eaters. Some tracks can be muddy after heavy rain, but jeeps usually run.
The landscape is at its most attractive in December and January, with green grass and full water.
- →Green and lush: November to January.
- →Migrant birds: roughly October to March.
- →Some muddy tracks.
February to May
February is drying, with fresh green grass and good visibility. March and April are hot, with afternoon storms on some days. May is hot and dry, with the first wind of the southwest monsoon.
The Elephant Transit Home, at the edge of the park, has feeding times for orphaned calves several times a day in every season, and it is a good stop on the way between the hills and the south coast.
Planning a safari by season
Udawalawe works in every month. Choose morning or late-afternoon drives to avoid the heat, and bring a hat and water. In the wettest months, a morning drive is more likely to stay dry.
Lankan Stays & Trails plans Udawalawe safaris on the route between Ella and the south coast, often as an alternative to Yala, and books early-morning jeeps in the busy months.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Udawalawe?
Udawalawe is open all year and elephants are seen in every month. June to September are dry, with elephants near the reservoir and open views. November to January are green and lush, with migrant birds. Morning and late afternoon drives are best in every season.
When is the rainy season at Udawalawe?
The main rainy season runs roughly from October to January, with November and December the wettest months. March and April bring some afternoon storms. June to September are dry and windy, because the hills to the west block the southwest monsoon.
Is Udawalawe open all year?
Yes. Udawalawe National Park does not have an annual closure like Yala, so it is a good alternative when Yala closes, usually for several weeks around September and October. Book jeeps early in August and September, when demand is higher.
How hot is Udawalawe?
Daytime highs are about 31 to 34 °C and nights about 22 to 25 °C. There is little shade on the tracks, so early morning and late afternoon drives are the most comfortable. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water on every drive.
Can you see elephants at Udawalawe in the rainy season?
Yes. Elephants are seen in every month. In the rainy season they spread out as the grass grows, but they remain easy to find in the open areas. In the dry season they gather near the reservoir and are even more visible.
Is Udawalawe drier than Yala?
No. Udawalawe receives roughly 1,500 mm of rain a year, more than Yala, because it is closer to the hills. Both are in the dry zone, with the main rains from October to January and dry, windy summers.
How does Lankan Stays & Trails plan Udawalawe safaris?
Udawalawe safaris are planned on the route between Ella and the south coast, often as an alternative to Yala and always when Yala is closed. Early-morning jeeps are booked in the busy months, and the Elephant Transit Home feeding is added where it fits.
What is the weather like at Udawalawe in July?
July is dry, hot and windy at Udawalawe, with highs of about 33 °C and very little rain. The grassland is golden and dusty, and elephants gather near the reservoir, which makes them easy to see. Early morning drives are the most comfortable and the most productive.