Udawalawe National Park lies on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces. It covers an area of 30821 hectares. Udawalawe is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third most visited park in the country.The national park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir. The park is 176 kilometers away from Colombo and takes 4 hours 30 mins of travelling to get there by road.