How to get from Ella to Udawalawe – Sri Lanka

Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka‘s verdant landscape lies Udawalawe. This national park boasts stunning nature and abundant wildlife. It offers a chance to witness diverse terrain, including lush forests, expansive grasslands, and shimmering reservoirs.

Moreover, the park is home to a thriving population of elephants, along with myriad other species such as leopards, crocodiles, water buffalos, and countless bird species.

This jeep safari was the second-best activity on our Sri Lanka itinerary. The first spot definitely goes to Diyaluma Falls, which you shouldn’t skip. It’s one of the best things to do in Ella.

Getting from Ella to Udawalawe can be a simple, straightforward trip or an unforgettable adventure. It all depends on your preference. Keep reading to find out all the options you have.

Quick Overview

If you have no time to read through all the details, here’s a quick summary:

The cheapest way is to travel by a local bus, which only costs around 1€. You’ll have to transfer either to Wellawaya or Thamanalwila. The trip might take 2-5 hours, depending on your luck.

You can ask for a shared van for a more convenient trip. The trip will only take 2 hours in an AC car, and the price is between 4 and 5€ per person.

If you prefer a private transfer, expect to pay around 35€ for a taxi. It’s also gonna take around 2 hours.

Where is Udawalawe

Udawalawe is a small, sleepy town in southeastern Sri Lanka, located next to Udawalawe National Park. It has just a few homestays, restaurants, and safari tour companies. The town is approximately 165km from Colombo and 100km from Ella.

Getting from Ella to Udawalawe

By local bus

Our favorite transport option anywhere we go is, without a doubt, local transport, mostly by bus or train. Sri Lanka was no different. After taking the Colombo to Ella train, we also decided to take a bus for this trip.

Traveling by bus is definitely the cheapest option. But it’s also the most adventurous one.

Things to know

Buses in Sri Lanka are crazy!!! Maybe even more than in India. The drivers go very fast, often braking at the last minute. They take over every car in their way, sometimes even if they don’t see what’s ahead.

Another aspect to keep in mind is that local buses are often full. Hence, you may not be able to get a seat. But if you’re lucky, the bus will have AC on.

Ella is 1041 meters above sea level, so you’ll descend a massive hill on the way. Moreover, the road is full of curves, and you’ll keep being swept from side to side.

If this sounds good, continue reading. Otherwise, scroll down to see other transport options.

However, if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or kids, we recommend using a van or a private taxi. I’ve included more info below.

Bus routes

Route 1 Ella – Wellawaya – Udawalawe

Our bus had a different route than described in every other blog. I guess that means there are multiple options. The first is to take the Bandarawela – Wellawaya bus, which is often full.

Therefore, many people recommend traveling to Bandarawela by train first to ensure a seat on the bus. In Wellawaya, you will have to change to the Colombo bus, which will stop in Udawalawe.

Route 2 Ella – Thamanalwila – Udawalawe

We didn’t plan ahead. We just arrived on the main street, hoping to find the right bus. Luckily, the locals showed us exactly which bus to take, and we didn’t wait too long.

The driver told us to go to Thamanalwila junction (map). While it should have taken 1.5 hours by car, according to Google Maps, we arrived in just over one hour. That says it all about how crazy the ride was.

We changed buses in Thamanalwila. When we arrived, the bus to Colombo was already waiting for us.

From here, it only took another 30 minutes via scenic route (not as picturesque as a train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella) running along the Udawalawe National Park. Furthermore, we even saw our first elephants directly from the bus!

We reached our destination in 1.5 hours, but some claim this trip might take up to 5 hours. Maybe we were just lucky since we also managed to get seats on both buses.

Additionally, the locals were friendly and helpful all the time.

Bus schedule

You should be able to find the bus schedule for the Bandarawela – Wellawaya bus at the train station in Ella and near the tourist and police booth.

Unfortunately, since we improvised during this trip, we don’t know the exact schedule. But it’s not a challenging task to find a bus during the day.

Ella to Udawalawe by van

Another option to travel from Ella to Udawalwe National Park for your safari adventure is by van. Great news is that it’s not that expensive, considering the comfort you will have.

7 – 8 people usually share the van. Additionally, it also has an AC.

To find a van, walk around Ella and ask different people and drivers if they can take you to Udawalawe. Expect to pay between 1400 – 1700 LKR.

After the crisis, though, it may be more expensive—maybe even double. We didn’t consider this option, so I cannot provide the van’s price. If you’ve taken the van recently, let us know in the comments about your experience.

I would also recommend asking the hotel you’re staying at to determine the rates you should try to get when bargaining with the drivers.

Ella to Udawalawe by rental car

Another option for getting from Ella to Udawalawe and exploring Sri Lanka, in general, is to rent a car. You can pick up your vehicle at Colombo airport and return it at the same location. We recommend using DiscoverCars for car rentals worldwide.

Ella to Udawalawe by private taxi

The last and most comfortable option is to travel by private taxi. There are multiple drivers in town who will be more than happy to help you.

Obviously, this will be the most expensive option. The price for a car should be around 12,000 LKR.

Best Safari Tours

To make the most of your visit, booking a guided safari tour in advance is highly recommended. This ensures you have a knowledgeable guide, a comfortable jeep, and a stress-free experience without the hassle of negotiating prices at the entrance.

Here are some of the best safari tours you can book:

Udawalawe National Park Safari Tour

⏱️ Duration: 3-4 hours

✅ Options: Morning or Afternoon Safari

❌ Doesn’t include: Park Entrance, Food, Drinks

The Udawalawe National Park Safari Tour starts with a pick-up at any hotel in the Udawalawe area. You’ll be transported to the park once you meet your driver and guide, and the adventure can begin.

You can choose between a morning or afternoon trip. The price does not include the entrance fees.

Udawalawe National Park Private Safari

⏱️ Duration: 3-4 hours

✅ Options: Morning or Afternoon Safari

❌ Doesn’t include: Park Entrance, Food, Drinks

The National Park Private Safari also offers a convenient pick-up in the Udawalawe area and a morning or afternoon tour. The maximum amount of people per group is six.

Best time to visit Udawalawe

The best time to visit Udawalawe National Park is during the dry season. The days are mostly sunny, making the conditions perfect for spotting animals. However, keep in mind that these months are also very hot.

A shoulder season right after the rainy season is also worth considering. Thanks to previous rains, nature will be lush green, and flora will thrive. You can spot plenty of wildlife while the weather is relatively stable and sunny.

The rainy season is not the best time. The reason is that safari might be canceled due to heavy rains.