Enter Kalawewa National Park in Sri Lanka to spot tusked elephants around the Kalawewa and Balaluwewa reservoirs on a guided safari.
!Tickets are now available only as part of a guided experience and can no longer be purchased separately.
About this experience
Kalawewa National Park spreads across more than 6,000 hectares of dry-zone landscape in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, embracing two large man-made reservoirs — Kalawewa and Balaluwewa. The park supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna, and is particularly noted for its elephant population. It has a reputation for an unusually high concentration of male elephants bearing tusks, a genuinely rare sight given that only a small proportion of Asian elephants carry ivory.
The rhythm of the park is shaped by the seasons. During the dry period, water levels in the tanks recede and expansive grasslands emerge in their place, drawing both resident and migratory elephant herds to graze. This is the prime time to visit, and the park opens to the public during this window. When the monsoon arrives, the reservoirs fill and the grasslands disappear beneath the water, transforming the landscape into a haven for birdlife instead.
Tickets booked through Lakpura include a guided safari service, allowing visitors to make the most of the park's wildlife and terrain. Citizens of SAARC member countries are eligible for a discounted entrance rate; a valid passport should be presented to confirm eligibility. Further details about the park, its ecology and what to expect on a visit can be found on the Kalawewa National Park page.
Your service advisor
Rupuni Senior Executive
Have questions about this service or want it arranged around your dates? Reach Rupuni directly — replies usually within a few hours during Sri Lanka business hours.
Its elephants, including an unusually high number of tuskers, male elephants with tusks, which few Asian elephants have. The park covers more than 6,000 hectares around the Kalawewa and Balaluwewa reservoirs.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season, when the reservoirs shrink and grassland appears on their banks, drawing elephant herds to graze. In the monsoon the water rises and the park becomes a haven for birds.
Is there a discount for SAARC nationals?
Yes. Citizens of SAARC member countries are eligible for a discounted entrance rate. Bring your passport so the discount can be confirmed.
Can I buy the Kalawewa National Park entrance ticket on its own?
No. Tickets are now available only as part of a guided experience and can no longer be purchased separately. Choose the guided option (Guide: Yes) when you book, and your entrance ticket comes with the guide.
What is the child policy?
Guests over 12 pay the adult rate, children aged 6 to 12 pay the child rate, and children under 6 go free and need no ticket. When you book, choose Adult or Child under Ticket.
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