Walks Around Udawalawe

October 31, 2026

Udawalawe has no walking-tour scene. The national park is entered by jeep, and visitors stay seated in the vehicle, so there are no foot trails. Udawalawe town is a small road-junction settlement without a historic quarter. The walking worth doing sits in a few places a short drive away, and this page covers them honestly.

Sankapala rock-shelter temple

Sankapala Raja Maha Viharaya at Pallebedda, just off the Ratnapura to Hambantota road, is the best on-foot stop. You walk among rock shelters where Brahmi inscriptions run beneath the drip-ledges, and the image house in Cave IV holds a reclining Buddha. A tomb linked to Pussadeva, a warrior of King Dutugemunu, and a ruined dagoba lie nearby. It is a short drive north-west of Udawalawe, and distance estimates vary, so confirm with your driver. A monk or caretaker may show you around. This is a place of worship, so dress modestly, remove your shoes at the shelters and speak quietly. Check on arrival whether a fee applies.

Maduwanwela Walawwa

The Maduwanwela manor house near Kolonna, about an hour or less by car, is an easy wander through museum rooms. Built in the 18th century and last extended in 1905, it has been a protected monument and a Department of Archaeology museum since 1974. It once had 121 rooms and 21 inner courtyards, and about 43 rooms remain. You can go round on your own or with a caretaker. Expect a small fee, and confirm hours before you set out.

Lodge grounds

Some lodges offer birdwatching on their own grounds, but only where a lodge says so, so ask before you book. Kalu’s Hideaway, for example, sits on about five acres by the reservoir. Early morning is the best time, and a pair of binoculars helps.

What not to do

Do not walk inside the national park, and do not stroll the dam road at dusk. The embankment is a crossing point for wild elephants, and bulls there sometimes beg from vehicles. Never feed them. Keep to the vehicle. Do not swim or wade in the reservoir, where crocodiles live.

What to bring

Wear sturdy shoes that are easy to take off for temples, carry water, and use sun protection and insect repellent. Go early or late in the day, since the dry zone is hot by mid-morning. Heavy monsoon rain can cause floods and landslides, so check FCDO advice and the forecast.

Compare guided outings on GetYourGuide . Entry rules for the park are listed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation .