2 Days Tour of Double Safari (Yala & Udawalawe) – All Inclusive

Yala by evening and Udawalawe by morning make a useful two-day introduction to Sri Lanka’s safari parks. You get two separate game drives, each in a different setting, instead of trying to squeeze both parks into one rushed day.

I like the private transport with an English-speaking driver-guide and the fact that the price includes the safari jeep, park fees, hotel, and most meals. I also like the contrast: Yala is a large, famous park, while Udawalawe is especially known for wild elephants.

The main caution is the ride itself. A safari jeep can be very bumpy, so this may not suit you if you have back problems. The schedule also gives you little time to linger: the second morning includes a safari, the Elephant Transit Home, and a temple before the drive back.

At a glance

• Yala in the evening: A four-hour game drive in one of Sri Lanka’s best-known national parks.
• Udawalawe in the morning: A three-hour safari in grassland and bush forest, in a park known for elephants.
• A private trip: Your group travels with a private driver-guide, rather than joining other groups for the whole tour.
• Hotel and meals included: The package covers a three-star overnight stay, dinner, breakfast, and lunch on both days.
• Two extra stops: Allow around 30 minutes each for the Elephant Transit Home and Sri Sankapala Raja Maha Viharaya.
• Price and comfort trade-off: At $375 per person, the package bundles major expenses, but the jeep ride is rough and the days involve substantial driving.

Two parks in two days

This tour links Yala National Park and Udawalawe National Park on a private two-day trip. It starts with a pickup around 8 or 9 a.m. on Day 1, followed by the drive to Yala and an evening safari. After an overnight stay at a three-star hotel in the Yala area, you set off for Udawalawe at 8:30 a.m. the next day.

The appeal is variety. Yala is Sri Lanka’s second-largest national park and one of its most famous. Udawalawe, with grasslands and bush forest framed by highlands to the north, has a different feel and is known as one of the world’s best places to see wild elephants.

That variety makes this a stronger choice than a trip focused only on ticking off one park. You get two game drives at different times of day, then a short visit to an elephant facility and a temple. But it is a fast sampler, not a slow stay in either park. The schedule is best for you if seeing two distinct areas matters more than spending extra time at one.

Day 1: Yala’s four-hour evening safari

Your pickup is scheduled for 8 or 9 a.m., with the drive to Yala taking up much of the day. The exact pickup time and drive duration depend on your location, so ask the operator to confirm your plan before travel. Free pickup and drop-off are offered across a broad stretch of the west and south coasts, including Negombo, Colombo, Bentota, Galle, Mirissa, Tangalle, and nearby areas.

The safari itself lasts about four hours. Yala covers a large area and is popular with both Sri Lankan visitors and international visitors, so a game drive here can give you a sense of the scale of the park. The tour does not promise particular animal sightings, and wildlife is never a clockwork show. Go in ready to watch, rather than expecting a guaranteed list of animals.

An evening drive gives you a different window on the park from the following morning’s outing in Udawalawe. That contrast is part of the value: even if you have been on safari before, you are not simply repeating the same park experience twice.

The safari uses a jeep, and that means rough going. One specific warning matters: the ride can be very bumpy. If you have back problems, consider carefully whether this is comfortable for you, and contact the operator about your needs before booking.

A night near Yala, with dinner and breakfast

After the first safari, you stay overnight at a three-star hotel in the Yala area. Dinner and breakfast are included, as are lunch on both days. Having the hotel and meals arranged makes the short itinerary easier to manage, especially when you are also covering park fees and transport.

The accommodation is described by category, not by a named hotel or a detailed list of amenities. If room facilities or a particular level of comfort matter to you, ask for the hotel details before booking. A higher-category four- or five-star hotel can be arranged for an extra cost.

Room arrangements depend on the size of your party, with double and triple rooms provided according to the number of people. The trip requires at least two adults per booking, so it is not set up as a solo booking at the advertised per-person price.

Day 2: Udawalawe’s elephant country

You leave at 8:30 a.m. for the second safari, a roughly three-hour drive through Udawalawe National Park. The park’s grasslands and bush forest differ from Yala’s broad reputation and scale. Its strongest draw is clear: Udawalawe is known as one of the world’s best places to see wild elephants.

That makes the second morning especially appealing if elephants are high on your wish list. Still, the tour cannot promise a sighting. You are visiting a national park, not an animal enclosure, and the time you have there is limited to the scheduled safari.

Having a private driver-guide is useful across both days. You travel together between stops, and the guide can help you manage the timing and understand what you are seeing. The driver-guide is described as English-speaking, and the experience has been praised for informative guiding and courteous service. No individual guide is named, so you should not expect a specific person.

The safari jeep and park entry fees are included. This matters because the tour combines transport, access, and the vehicle for the game drive rather than leaving you to arrange those pieces separately. It also makes the package price easier to assess before you go.

Elephant Transit Home: a short, focused visit

After the Udawalawe safari, the tour includes around 30 minutes at the Elephant Transit Home, a facility within Udawalawe National Park established in 1995 by Sri Lanka’s Department of Wildlife Conservation. Its purpose is connected to the care of elephants, making it a useful complement to seeing wild elephants in the park.

Keep expectations in check. This is a half-hour stop, not a long visit, and the tour description does not promise a particular activity or close encounter. Treat it as a brief educational pause in the day rather than a second safari.

The stop works well in context. You have just spent three hours looking for wildlife in its natural setting, then get a short visit to a facility focused on elephants. If you are travelling with children or have a particular interest in elephant conservation, this may add a welcome point of connection, though the time is short.

Sri Sankapala Raja Maha Viharaya: a temple on a rocky hill

The final listed stop is Sri Sankapala Raja Maha Viharaya, with about 30 minutes set aside. The temple stands on a rocky mountain and is associated with monks who spent time in peaceful meditation. It offers a change of pace after two safaris and an opportunity to see a religious site in a dramatic setting.

The description does not spell out the exact route through the temple or how much climbing is involved. If stairs or uneven ground are a concern, ask the operator what to expect. With only half an hour scheduled, this is a short visit, not a lengthy temple tour.

From there, the tour drives back to your drop-off location. The return journey can be a substantial part of the day, depending on where you are staying. This is one reason the broad pickup area is useful, but it also means the trip is not only two game drives and a hotel night. You should be comfortable with time on the road.

What the $375 price covers

At $375 per person, this is a bundled private trip rather than a bare safari ticket. The price includes private transport with an English-speaking driver-guide, safari jeep, entry fees for the listed attractions, bottled water, a three-star hotel, dinner, breakfast, and two lunches. Alcoholic drinks are not included, and hotel upgrades cost extra.

The value depends on what you would otherwise arrange yourself. You are covering two national parks, two safari drives, an overnight stay, meals, and several transfers in a single booking. If you want a private itinerary and prefer not to coordinate vehicles, park admission, and accommodation separately, that bundle has practical value.

The price is per person, and at least two adults are required. The tour is private, so only your own group takes part. That gives you more control over who you share the vehicle transfers with, though the safari jeep itself is part of the organized park experience.

The package is described as all-inclusive with no hidden costs, but read that as covering the listed transport, meals, accommodation, activities, and fees. Drinks with alcohol are extra, and a higher hotel category costs more. If you have dietary needs, provide them when booking.

Who will get the most from this trip?

This tour suits you if you have only two days available and want to see both Yala and Udawalawe without planning each transfer yourself. It is particularly practical if you are staying in one of the listed pickup areas, since free pickup and drop-off span a long section of Sri Lanka’s west and south coasts.

It is also a good fit if you value a private driver-guide and appreciate having the major costs bundled. The positive feedback focuses on informative guides and a courteous driver, with service that did not feel like too much trouble. That human side matters on a short trip with several moving parts.

You may prefer another arrangement if you want more time in each park, a slower pace, or a guaranteed standard of hotel comfort beyond the three-star category. And if a bumpy ride is a serious concern, ask about the jeep and the route before committing. The itinerary is compact, and there is not much spare time to rest between its main stops.

Booking demand is worth noting: this experience is booked, on average, 91 days ahead. That is not a promise that it will sell out, but it is a reason to plan early if your dates are fixed. You can cancel for a full refund at least six full days before the start; later cancellation terms are less generous. Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Yala and Udawalawe double safari?

Book this if you want two different national parks, a private driver-guide, and the key costs arranged in one two-day package. The mix of Yala’s evening drive, Udawalawe’s elephant country, the short Elephant Transit Home visit, and the temple stop gives the trip more range than a simple park transfer.

Skip it if you need a gentle ride, a relaxed pace, or a long stay at any one stop. For the right person, $375 buys convenience and a broad wildlife-focused introduction to the south. Just go in prepared for early starts, road time, and a rough jeep ride.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately two days. Day 1 includes travel to Yala and an evening safari, followed by an overnight hotel stay. Day 2 includes a morning safari in Udawalawe, two short visits, and the return drive.

What is included in the $375 price?

The package includes private transportation with an English-speaking driver-guide, safari jeep, entry fees for listed attractions, bottled water, a three-star hotel, dinner, breakfast, and lunch on both days. Alcoholic drinks and hotel upgrades are extra.

Where can I be picked up and dropped off?

Free pickup and drop-off are offered in Negombo, Colombo, Mount Lavinia, Wadduwa, Kalutara, Beruwala, Bentota, Ahungalla, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, Talpe, Koggala, Ahangama, Weligama, Mirissa, Dickwella, Tangalle, Hambantota, and nearby areas.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is a private tour, and only your group participates. A minimum of two adults is required per booking.

How long are the safaris?

The Yala safari lasts about four hours. The Udawalawe safari lasts about three hours.

Are the Elephant Transit Home and temple included?

Yes. Entry fees for the listed attractions are included. The tour allows about 30 minutes at the Elephant Transit Home and about 30 minutes at Sri Sankapala Raja Maha Viharaya.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least six full days before the experience starts. If poor weather cancels the tour, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.