The island of Sri Lanka is located below its larger neighbour, India, in the Indian Ocean. The country is mainly known for its sunny beaches, coral reefs and whale watching. It is a popular island destination. However there is more to Sri Lanka: from the colder climes of the hill country, where Sri Lanka’s finest tea is grown to ancient ruins that tell tales of old and take pride of place in the North Central Province. Though the island is small, there are challenges to navigating it. In the intense tropical heat of Sri Lanka, car rentals are a welcome solution.
Uda Walawe is one national park of many found around the country. Home to an abundance of wildlife, of which, a number of species are endemic to Sri Lanka. It sits on the boundary of the Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces; about a four hour drive from the capital city of Colombo. Take a comfortable drive in vehicle of your choice hired from Malkey Rent a Car, the country’s leading car rental company.
The Uda Walawe National Park was established as the fifth national park of Sri Lanka, in addition to being a wildlife sanctuary, in 1972. It covers an area of nearly thirty one thousand hectares. The main allure of this particular park is the greater chance of seeing wild elephants up close. The park is also home to the Sri Lankan leopard and many endemic birds. The dry grassland and scrubland make up most of the landscape though the odd rocky outcrop is not uncommon. The park includes a reservoir named the ‘Walawe Reservoir’ that spans nearly three thousand five hundred hectares; it is the largest in the vicinity. Visitors who wish to fully immerse themselves in the natural surroundings can arrange to stay inside the park by booking a bungalow or campsite in advance.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
