Your lasting memory of Uda Walawe will undoubtedly be of herds of elephants playing happily in the majestic reservoir that dominates this Dry Zone park, while the steep hills of Haputale in the far distance provide a most serene backdrop. As the sun rises over this magical landscape and glistens on the vast area of water whose catchment area this park serves to protect, you'll slowly begin to meander the trails, searching, seeking, and scouring high and low for any flicker of movement that betrays an animal's movements

The vital habitats that make up this 30,821 ha land area include open parkland, grassland and thorn scrub aside riverbanks that are home to many valuable and much sought-after species of trees. Of course the reservoir is the main draw for wildlife, so as you frequent its boundaries you will often be rewarded with frequent sightings of elephants playing, feeding and bathing in the river in large herds of up to 70. You'll be able to watch these gentle giants in their natural surroundings for as long as you wish recording their movements, relationships and learning more from your knowledgeable nature interpreter. Over 500 Asian elephants are estimated to reside in the park and though it is unlikely you will see a herd in those numbers, you never know! Other mammals include the spotted deer, sambhur deer, barking deer, langur, water buffalo, jackal and in their small numbers, the leopard.

Uda Walawe is especially exciting for sightings of raptor birds enjoying the scope of the open plains including brahminy and black-winged kites alongside serpent, hawk, and white-bellied sea eagles. You'll notice their sweeping movements and swift attack as you follow their smooth path across the sky. Aquatic residents include the surprisingly large white necked stork, open bill and more delicate white ibis, as well as smaller stork billed kingfishers and majestic peacocks that you can glimpse at the water's edge. Migrants such as forest wagtails, whiskered terns, osprey and sandpipers are also regularly seen alongside land birds such as the Indian roller, Malabar pied hornbill and the pied cuckoo.