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Kaudulla National Park Safari — Polonnaruwa

Cover photo: Abdulla Faiz (Unsplash)

District

Polonnaruwa

Province

North Central

Best for

Safari-goers avoiding crowds; quieter elephant park beside Minneriya

Map

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About this place

Sister park to Minneriya off the Habarana-Trincomalee road, often holding the herds when Minneriya is quiet (and vice versa). Same half-day afternoon format as Minneriya; operators pick whichever park has elephants that day. Similar pricing to Minneriya; confirm the park and total price before boarding.

Visitor brief

Good to know before you go

• Same half-day afternoon format as Minneriya (roughly 2:30-6 PM); book through your hotel or a licensed operator.
• Herds move between Minneriya, Kaudulla and Hurulu; operators pick whichever park holds elephants that day.
• Dry months (roughly July-October) are best for big gatherings; birdlife is good October-February.
• Confirm the park and the total price (entry + jeep + any service charge) before boarding.
• Bring sun cover, water and insect repellent; no shops inside the park.

How to travel there

Off the Habarana-Trincomalee road; jeep pickups from Habarana, Sigiriya, Dambulla or Polonnaruwa (30-60 min).

Where to stay

Habarana area: safari lodges and mid-range hotels geared to early pickups; Polonnaruwa town guesthouses as alternative.

Nearby places

Minneriya National Park, Hurulu Eco Park, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Ritigala Forest Monastery

Scams to watch for

• Bait-and-switch on the park (quoting Minneriya, driving to another park at the same price); confirm the park at pickup.
• Vague all-inclusive quotes that exclude the park entry ticket; get an itemised total.

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