Discover two of Udawalawe’s most unforgettable experiences during your stay at Jungle Paradise Hotel. A visit to the Elephant Transit Home offers the chance to see rescued baby elephants being cared for ethically before their release back into the wild. For a cultural journey, explore the ancient Sankapala Raja Maha Viharaya Temple, one of Sri Lanka’s historic Buddhist sites, where spirituality, history, and breath-taking views come together.
Just a 15-minute tuk-tuk ride from Jungle Paradise Hotel is the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home. It’s a sanctuary for around 50 orphaned elephants – from tiny calves to lively adolescents and one of the most ethical elephant experiences in Sri Lanka.
Unlike petting zoos or elephant rides elsewhere in Asia, the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) is dedicated to genuine conservation. Visitors can watch the elephants being bottle-fed from a safe and respectful viewing platform, ensuring minimal human contact while supporting an important wildlife protection project in Udawalawe.
Feeding Times:
10:30am
2:30pm
Explore the Historic Sankapala Raja Maha Viharaya Temple
After visiting the Elephant Transit Home, enjoy a 20-minute tuk-tuk ride through Udawalawe to the ancient Sankapala Raja Maha Viharaya Temple. This sacred Buddhist site, set at the base of a forested hill is considered an important Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka.
Here, you can wander past ancient rock inscriptions, explore cave shrines, and take in breath-taking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. With its peaceful, uncrowded setting, the Sankapala Temple near Udawalawe offers visitors a unique opportunity to connect with Sri Lanka’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
Entrance to the temple is free.
This easy, half-day journey is a guest favourite. You can choose from two options:
Full Tour (ETH + Temple): LKR 4,000 (tuk-tuk round trip) + Entrance fees at ETH
Just ETH: LKR 2,200 (tuk-tuk round trip) + Entrance fees at ETH
Elephant Transit Home Entrance Fees:
Under 6 years: Free
Adults: LKR 2,000
Children (6–12 years): LKR 1,000
“We had a great time staying at Jungle Paradise Hotel. It’s always been adream to see baby elephants in Sri Lanka”
