Colombo to Udawalawe Safari: Elephant & Wildlife

The vast majority of the 37 options we compare are focused on safaris, with 95% of listings falling into this category. You will also find a selection of wildlife tours, day trips, and a small number of hiking or game drive experiences. All of the options listed are themed around nature and wildlife.

Prices vary depending on the level of service, but most tours fall within the $120–$225 range. Across the booking platforms we monitor, the total spread typically goes from about $50 to $333.

If you prefer more intimacy, you have plenty of choices. Roughly 73% of the options we compare are private tours, which is a significantly higher share than many other activity types.

While inclusions vary by provider, we found that most tours include a guide (73% of options). Other common features include:

• Transport (included in 49% of tours)
• Hotel pickup and drop-off (included in 43% of tours)
• Taxes (included in 19% of tours)
• Drinks (included in 16% of tours)

The most common way to explore the park is by jeep, which is used in 70% of the tours we compare. Other transport methods include cars, air-conditioned vehicles, private vehicles, and occasionally a bus.

The duration depends on whether you choose a day trip or an overnight experience. Most tours last between 6 hours and 1.5 days, with a median duration of about 12 hours.

Yes, there is a good level of variety. Among the options we compare, tours are offered in 8 different languages, including English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Arabic, Tamil, and Portuguese.

Download the PickMe or Uber apps. These services provide fixed pricing and are much more reliable than street tuk-tuks.

Do not drink tap water. Always buy bottled water or use filtered water provided by your hotel to avoid illness.

Take the airport express bus for a cheap option. For comfort, book a private car or use a pre-paid taxi service.