Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home — Visitor Guide 2025
Visit the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) near Udawalawe National Park — watch feeding, learn conservation, and support elephant rehabilitation.
What is the Elephant Transit Home (ETH)?
The Elephant Transit Home (ETH) is a government-managed rehabilitation centre near Udawalawe where orphaned baby elephants are cared for until they can be returned to the wild. ETH focuses on medical care, feeding, socialization and gradual reintroduction under professional supervision.
Visit Information — Times & Tickets
Milk-feeding (public viewing) times
- 10:30 AM
- 2:30 PM
- 6:00 PM
(Arrive 20–30 minutes early to secure a good viewing spot. Times are run by ETH staff and may vary slightly.)
Ticket Prices (2025, ETH counter)
| Foreign Adult | USD 5 + VAT (18%) |
| Foreign Child (below 12) | USD 3 + VAT (18%) |
| Local Adult | LKR 115 |
| Local Child | LKR 57.50 |
Tickets sold at ETH counter on arrival. Prices from Udawalawe Safari Fun (2025) — subject to change by authorities.
Tip: ETH entrance and feeding times are managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Many visitors combine an ETH visit with a morning or afternoon Udawalawe National Park safari.
How to Visit & Combine with Safari
ETH is located just outside the Udawalawe National Park entrance. Most travelers visit ETH before or after a park safari. Typical visitor flows:
- Morning: Safari first, then ETH feeding (10:30 AM) — or
- Afternoon: ETH feeding (2:30 PM) then evening safari.
We recommend booking a private jeep that includes park tickets, ETH visit guidance and free hotel pickup in the Udawalawe area. For package details, click below.
Conservation & Visitor Etiquette
ETH care teams focus on the long-term welfare of orphaned calves. When visiting please:
- Stay behind barriers and follow staff instructions.
- Do not feed or touch the elephants — staff handle all feeding.
- Keep noise to a minimum and use cameras without flash.
- Consider donating or buying a small souvenir to support ETH work.
Duration: A typical ETH visit (feeding + viewing) takes 20–40 minutes. Combine with a safari (3–6 hours) for a full Udawalawe experience.
FAQ — Elephant Transit Home
A: 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM (arrive early to secure a view).
A: Foreign adults USD 5 + VAT, foreign children USD 3 + VAT. Local adult LKR 115; local child LKR 57.50.
A: Tickets are normally sold at the ETH counter. Some tour operators include ETH entry in combined packages.