Discover
Elephant Corridor Night Drive
Start Time: After Dinner
Duration: 1 hour
Elephant corridors are narrow strips of land that allow elephants to move from one habitat patch to another. Experience a brisk night drive to the Kalavalgala Elephant Corridor after dinner, and maybe you’ll see these gentle giants cross from the forest into the Udawalawe National Park in search of water, provided by the Udawalawe reservoir
Visit the Elephant Transit Home
Start Time: 2pm
Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Enjoy a late afternoon excursion to the Elephant Transit Home and watch baby elephants being fed milk!
The Elephant Transit Home (ETH) – recognised as one of best wild animal rehabilitation centres in the world – takes care of orphaned elephant calves until they are independent and able enough to be released back to the wild. Situated in the western border of the 33,000 hectares of Udawalawe National Park, ETH is adjacent to the “Udawalawe reservoir”. The elephant calves have no boundaries in the area and have freedom to roam wherever they want. Similarly, wild elephants also visit the ETH premises.
Feeding the calves with milk happens every three hours throughout the 365 days of the year. Public viewing of the feeding is permitted daily at 9am, 12-noon, 3pm and 6pm.
Pottery Masterclass at Mankada
Start Time: After Breakfast or Lunch
Duration: Half Day
Create your own pottery masterpiece at Mankada or simply observe how it’s done!
The Mankada Pottery Shop provides economic independence to a group of marginalised villagers living near the Udawalawe National Park. They draw inspiration from the Park for their original pottery crafts, which help support conservation in the long-run. These artists were taught by master potter Ajith Perera to create pottery of international fame. The pieces created by Mankada include terra cotta figurines, pendants, tea pots, mugs, tea bag holders and a variety of beautiful and original craft. You may even choose your favourite piece and take it home as a souvenir for an additional cost.
