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The best area to stay in Udawalawa is typically along the main road leading to the Udawalawe National Park entrance, as well as the surrounding rural areas just outside the park boundaries.


This area is primarily defined by the Udawalawe National Park main gate and the stretch of road (A2) that connects it to the nearby town of Udawalawe. Accommodation options here range from guesthouses to more upscale lodges, often set amidst lush greenery, offering a peaceful retreat. Many properties are located along the Udawalawe Reservoir, providing scenic views.


For couples and families, staying just outside the park entrance offers convenience for early morning safaris. These lodges often provide organised safari tours directly from their premises, making the experience seamless. They also tend to have amenities like swimming pools and dining facilities, superb for relaxing after a day of wildlife spotting.

Two of the best hotels in Udawalawa that receive consistently high recommendations from travellers are Mansala Safari House and The Countryside Udawalawe.


Mansala Safari House is a hotel with an outstanding 9.8 rating. Guests frequently mention the spacious and beautiful rooms, the fantastic breakfast, and the amazing food. It also offers a 24-hour airport shuttle service and a furnished patio for relaxation.


Another highly recommended option is The Countryside Udawalawe, which has a 9.2 rating. This hotel provides complimentary breakfast, including local specialities, and has an outdoor pool with sun loungers and umbrellas. Guests appreciate the helpful staff, and it is conveniently located just 0.8 km from the Elephant Transit Home.

For family-friendly accommodation in Udawalawa, consider the Athgira River Camp, the Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort, or Kottawatta Village.


The Athgira River Camp, with an 8.6 rating, offers supervised childcare for children, a playground, and free cribs, making it very suitable for families. Guests can also enjoy a complimentary English breakfast and a children's pool. It is conveniently located just 2.0 km from the Elephant Transit Home.


Another excellent option is the Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort, rated 8.0. This resort provides a playground, a children's pool, and free cribs. Connecting rooms are available, which is ideal for families, and the hotel also features 24-hour room service and an on-site winery. It is 1.4 km from the Elephant Transit Home.


Kottawatta Village, a hotel with an 8.4 rating, also caters well to families with a playground, a children's club, and free cribs. It boasts a children's pool and a swim-up bar, providing plenty of options for relaxation and fun.

For a hotel in Udawalawa, the Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort is a highly recommended option.


This resort, with a review rating of 8.0, offers a luxurious stay. Guests can enjoy amenities such as 24-hour room service, a refreshing rainfall showerhead, and plush bathrobes for ultimate comfort. For dining, there is couples dining available and an onsite winery. The hotel also features a poolside bar, great for relaxing after a day of exploring.

For exceptional spa hotels in Udawalawa, consider Centauria Wild and Nildiyamankada Safari Lodge.


The Centauria Wild, with a rating of 8.6, offers a full-service spa with a sauna, steam room, and massage treatments. Guests frequently comment on the amazing pool and good food.


Another excellent option is the Nildiyamankada Safari Lodge, which boasts an outstanding 10.0 rating. This lodge provides a full-service spa with daily massage treatments and a lovely outdoor pool. Its staff are consistently praised for being super attentive and helpful.

For hotels in Udawalawa that include free breakfast, consider the Mansala Safari House, Elephant Rest Udawalawa, Athgira River Camp, Elephant Trail, and The Countryside Udawalawe.


The Mansala Safari House, with an impressive 9.8 rating, offers free breakfast and many guests have praised its fantastic breakfast and amazing food. The rooms are described as spacious and beautiful. This hotel also provides a 24-hour airport shuttle, free self-parking, and free WiFi, and even allows pets to stay for free.


Another excellent option is the Elephant Rest Udawalawa, rated 9.0, which provides both free breakfast and free continental breakfast. Guests have found the rooms to be comfortable, and the hotel also includes free self-parking and free WiFi.


The Athgira River Camp, with an 8.6 rating, also features free breakfast, including a complimentary English breakfast. It is conveniently located near the Udawalawe Reservoir, about 6.0 km away, and the Elephant Transit Home, just 2.0 km away. The hotel offers a 24-hour airport shuttle, free WiFi, and free self-parking.


The Elephant Trail, rated 7.2, provides free breakfast and free continental breakfast. It is situated approximately 3.7 km from the Udawalawe Reservoir and includes free self-parking.


Finally, The Countryside Udawalawe, a hotel with a 9.2 rating, offers free breakfast, including local breakfast options. It is very close to the Elephant Transit Home, only 0.8 km away, and about 5.0 km from the Udawalawe Reservoir. Guests frequently mention the helpful staff, and the hotel also provides free WiFi and free self-parking.

For a top pet-friendly hotel in Udawalawa, consider the Mansala Safari House.


The Mansala Safari House, with an outstanding 9.8 rating, is an excellent choice for travellers with pets, as pets stay free. Guests frequently praise its spacious and beautiful rooms, fantastic breakfast, and amazing food. The hotel also offers convenient amenities such as a 24-hour airport shuttle, free self-parking, and complimentary toiletries.

For a top boutique hotel in Udawalawa, the Eagle Safari Family Bungalow Udawalwe is a suitable option.


This hotel, which has a 7.8 rating, provides complimentary WiFi and free toiletries for guests. It also offers a free self-parking facility and a 24-hour airport shuttle service, which is very convenient for travellers.

For budget-friendly accommodation in Udawalawa, consider Athgira River Camp, Greenwood Udawalawa Safari Resort, Elephant Rest Udawalawa, The Countryside Udawalawe, and Kottawatta Village.


The Athgira River Camp, with an 8.6 rating, offers a complimentary English breakfast, free WiFi, and free self-parking. It also provides a convenient 24-hour airport shuttle. This hotel is located approximately 2.0 km from the Elephant Transit Home and 6.0 km from Udawalawe Reservoir.


Another great option is the Greenwood Udawalawa Safari Resort. Guests can enjoy a complimentary full breakfast, free WiFi, and free self-parking. It is situated about 1.4 km from the Elephant Transit Home and 3.7 km from Udawalawe Reservoir.


The Elephant Rest Udawalawa, rated 9.0, provides free self-parking, free WiFi, and a complimentary continental breakfast. Guests frequently mention the comfortable rooms.


The Countryside Udawalawe, with an impressive 9.2 rating, offers a complimentary local breakfast, free WiFi, and free self-parking. It is conveniently located just 0.8 km from the Elephant Transit Home and 5.0 km from Udawalawe Reservoir. The staff here are often described as helpful.


Finally, the Kottawatta Village, rated 8.4, includes free toiletries, free parking at a nearby location, free self-parking, and a 24-hour airport shuttle.

For a romantic getaway in Udawalawa, couples should consider the Centauria Wild or the Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort.


The Centauria Wild, with a rating of 8.6, offers a wonderful experience with its full-service spa, including a steam room and sauna, superb for relaxation. Guests consistently praise the amazing pool, nice breakfast, and good food. For those who appreciate natural beauty, the hotel also offers lake views.


Alternatively, the Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort, rated 8.0, is designed with couples in mind. It provides special couples dining experiences, champagne service, and a winery on-site. The rooms feature air conditioning, 24-hour room service, rainfall showerheads, and bathrobes, ensuring a luxurious stay. Travellers can also enjoy the convenient poolside bar.

For hotels in Udawalawa near Udawalawe Reservoir, you could consider Centauria Wild or Hantara Udawalawa.


The Centauria Wild, with an 8.6 rating, is a great option for families, offering a children's pool and onsite babysitting services. Many rooms provide pleasant lake views, and guests have praised the amazing pool and good food. It is conveniently located 3.4 kilometres from Udawalawe Reservoir.


Another excellent choice is Hantara Udawalawa, rated 9.0. This hotel provides free cribs and has private balconies or patios, and a terrace for guests to enjoy. It is situated 4.1 kilometres from Udawalawe Reservoir.

The best time to go to Udawalawa is during the dry season, from May to October.


During these months, rainfall is minimal, which means the animals tend to congregate around the Udawalawe Reservoir and other water sources within Udawalawe National Park. This makes them easier to spot during a safari. The weather is generally sunny and warm, making for pleasant conditions for exploring the park.


For those keen on seeing large herds of elephants, the peak of the dry season, particularly July and August, is often considered ideal. The lower water levels outside the reservoir mean elephants are almost guaranteed to be seen cooling off and feeding near the main water bodies. This period is great for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers looking for clear viewing opportunities.


Another good period, though slightly wetter, is between December and March. While there might be occasional showers, it's still a popular time for visitors due to the generally comfortable temperatures and the abundance of lush greenery after the monsoon season.

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Prices for hotels in Udawalawa often vary, but you can find a great deal from AU$28 on Expedia. All sorts of factors affect price, such as the time of year or the days of the week you choose for your stay. Find the best deals by being flexible with your dates, and sort search results by "Price: low to high" for our cheapest rates.