You are here: Home / Destinations / KAUDULLA NATIONAL PARK IN SRI LANKA
Kaudulla National Park, a dry evergreen forest that spread over an area of 6656 hectares is connected to the corridor between nearby Minneriya Wildlife Park and Kaudulla.
Kaudulla Reservoir (6675 ha), the centerpiece of the park is surrounded by the grasslands and scrubby forest. Two thirds of the park is under water during several months of the year. Kaudulla National Park includes Relapanawa reservoir, Olumadu Wewa reservoir, Puliyan Kalla wewa reservoir, Minneriya-Kanthale Yoda Ela canal, Aluth Oya stream and Hatharas Kotuwa Oya. In view of the large water bodies in close proximity to each other, two thirds of the park is get submerged in water for several month each year. In view of the large water bodies in close proximity to each other, two thirds of the park is get submerged in water for several month each year.
Kaudulla National Park was opened in 2002 providing the elephants more expanses in the wilderness, in the process connecting to the elephant corridor between Minneriya and Wasgomuwa national parks to the south. Kaudulla also connects Somawathiya National Park to the east. The centerpiece of the park, Kaudulla reservoir draws herds of elephants during the dry season. September and October are the best times to visit Kaudulla to enjoy the sight of large herd of elephant. 211 beasts were counted in Kaudulla in 2008.Habarana road too lies in the midst of the elephant domains. Vehicles travelling in the evening to/from Kaudulla National Park often come across these beasts, who are now well used to human interference.
Apart from the elephants, Kaudulla National Park is home to 23 species of mammals including Sambar Deer, Sri Lankan Axis Deer, Chevrotain, Wild boar, Leopard, and Sloth Bear are other mammals. Very rarely one could spot leopard and sloth bears. The best period of time to visit this park is during the months of June to September. Tourists find a ride in Paddle-boats on the lake an excellent opportunity to enjoy bird watching. 160 species of bird including large water birds such as Spot-billed Pelican and Lesser Adjutant visit the Kaudulla tank. Asian Spoonbill, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Black-headed Ibis, Painted Stork and Open bill Stork are common sights at the park. Peacock, Eagle, Giant Eagle that are hereditary to Sri Lanka are always hover over the park. One of the most spectacular sceneries in the park is hundreds of pelicans at the tank when it is about to sun set.
 "Dear Cyril, Thanks for taking care of the Dr.Sethukavalar and his wife very well. They were indeed very happy for all the care you have shown during your tour. They were very impressed of your patience and kindness. I look forward to see you soon and maintain this good relationship we have developed in a short period of time. We will not hesitate a second to recommend you to all our friends who would like to visit Sri Lanka. Taking this opportunity of wishing you all the best. Thanks fo..." HARIDAS KANDASAMY
 "If you ever plan to visit Sri Lanka (and I think you should) this is your guide!!! Martha Iordanidou - Thesoloneki - Greece " Martha Iordanidou
 "We are an older couple celebrating a lot of years of marriage (and hiking) in Sri Lanka in February this year, for two weeks, and three days in the Maldives. Although we love to drive, we chose to go with a driver-guide, after planning the trip completely independently. (It turned out he might help us in the planning and selection of hotels, we own). The main advantage is reaching the sites, some of which are tired, refreshed after someone else used to bad roads, with bad signage - If you are i..." Sam
 "Thank you Cyril for caring us and giving a very enjoyable tour to all of our family while we are on holiday in Sri Lanka. Definitely we will recommend you to our friends and relatives. Hitendra Molleti and family" Hitendra Molleti
 "Hello, We had 2 weeks exploring Sri Lanka and for most of that time Cyril drove for usto various towns, sites of interest. Cyril wsa a very pleasant chauffeur. Always prompt and greeted us with a smile. He was well informed about the sites we visited and pointed out many interesting historical buildings en-route. We had a great 2 weeks in Sri Lanka and Cyril's plesant and helpful nature contributed to this briliant holiday. Thank Cyril Sara and Steve from Birmingham, England" Sara and Steve
 "Hello my dear friend Mr. Cyril We are all fine dear, I have visited Sri Lanka and I loved the country, Insha’Allah I will visit again your country, it is amazing place. This is the first day at work , really I enjoy the tour to sri lanka with my family and it was very nice and I wish to go again to sri lanka and of course you were very good and polite and respectable guy -thanks a lot for every thing and I wish you ..." Nasser Mohamed from Oman
 "We had excellent 8 days tour with CYRIL TOURS. It's all credit goes to Mr. Cyril. From the welcoming at Air port to hotels we stayed,food we had and driver who was provided was excellent. We always introduce CYRIL TOURS to all who wiling to tarvel to Sri Lanka. Swaran Kaur and family Kuantan - Malaysia 2012 May 18 - 25 May" Swaran Kaur and family from Malaysia
 "We came for a wedding and then embarked on an amazing holiday. Cyril show us magnificent sights and scenery of Sri Lanka. To do the country just we need to return with more time. Many of the sites we visited just made us want to know more about them, even though Cyril was a fountain of knowledge. We have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Cyril and his excellent company, and it was so nice to go home a guardian angel looking after us. He is consistently courteous & good humored and now fe..." Andy Powell UK
 "(10 days). Before the trip I did a lot of research here on the site and other sites on the tour options and after checking in we decided to go with a guide attached. Choice in was not easy and I started Travels "correspondence with more than ten guides to staying with the" chosen ". No doubt it was an excellent choice! Before Asbury on our guide, I wanted to note that after the visit, I understand the importance of taking guide (driver) suite. Roads and driving in Sri Lanka ..." Corey
 "Dear Cyril, We just got back to Singapore today...I am will be back to work tomorrow.. :) Sad but true ha ha……. We were very lucky to have you as our guide. I don’t think there will be anyone else who could have done an excellent job that you have done. We will spread the word around and will surely sell your services...do keep in touch so we can work something out. Thanks for the photos they are great Will visit your website soon and put in some good words for you.. Ti..." Shuhanth Haridas from Singapore