It is one of the most notable parks of Sri Lanka. It spans over vast 6656 hectares and is home to various wild species, aquatic creatures, and unusual birds. The Somawathie Chaitiya Park and the Minneriya Wildlife Park, two wonderful locations to learn about Sri Lanka's wildlife, particularly elephants, are also attached to the Kaudulla National Park. This facilitates animals' movement across parks as they search for food, water, or mates.

Since this is where the world's greatest gathering of Asian elephants is located, the park is also known as "The Gathering"! The greatest time to see elephants is from July to December, during the dry season.

The park's focal point, the 6675 hectare Kaudulla Reservoir, is flanked by grasslands and scrubby forest. Several months out of the year, the park's upper two-thirds are submerged in water. Relapanawa reservoir, Olumadu Wewa reservoir, Puliyan Kalla wewa reservoir, Minneriya-Kanthale Yoda Ela canal, Aluth Oya stream, and Hatharas Kotuwa Oya are all included in Kaudulla National Park. Due to the numerous huge bodies of water nearby, two thirds of the park are buried in water for several months every year. 

The abundance of elephants that can be seen at Kaudulla National Park is its main draw. But throughout your safari, you can also see a wide variety of other wild species! View the park's fauna in the gallery below.

There are 24 different species of mammals, including the Sri Lankan elephants, a few very rare leopards, deer, little black bears, deer, and numerous monkeys, also 25 different types of reptiles, including crocodiles and monitor lizards. 160 kinds of birds and 26 fish species. As a result, Kaudulla has been recognised as a significant bird area.

Paddle boat rides on the lake are a popular way for visitors to enjoy bird watching. 

The Kaudulla tank is frequented by 160 different bird species, including large water birds like the Spot-billed Pelican and Lesser Adjutant. In the park, it's not unusual to see Asian Spoonbills, Grey-headed Fish Eagles, Black-headed Ibis, Painted Storks, and Openbill Storks. Peacocks, eagles, and giant eagles, which are endemic to Sri Lanka, constantly soar above the park. Hundreds of pelicans gathered around the tank as the sun is about to set is one of the park's most breathtaking sights.

Between July and December is the ideal time to see the elephants in Kaudulla National Park. Due to the proximity of Kaudulla and Minneriya national parks, the elephant herd moves between the two. The elephants relocate to the Minneriya National Park during the drought in search of food and water. The jeep drivers undoubtedly take this into consideration. They go to the appropriate location since they are aware of precisely where the herds may be spotted in the morning.

You can reach Kaudulla by taking a road trip from Colombo to Trincomalee. The entrance to Kaudulla is 22 km north of the village of Habarana and the closest railway station is at Minneriya.