Kaudulla National Park, located in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province near Polonnaruwa, is a biodiversity hotspot renowned for its large gatherings of Asian elephants, especially during the dry season from August to December. Established in 2002, the park spans 6,900 hectares and centers around the ancient Kaudulla Tank, an irrigation reservoir built by King Mahasen in the 3rd century CE, which attracts diverse wildlife including sambar deer, leopards, and over 160 bird species like the Sri Lanka junglefowl and spot-billed pelican. The park’s open grasslands, wetlands, and evergreen forests offer a stunning backdrop for jeep safaris, making it a prime destination for eco-tourists and wildlife enthusiasts seeking to witness the majestic elephant herds in their natural habitat.
