Sri Lanka: Nuwara Eliya > Udawalawe

Apr 5-7 2025 |

This was the most scenic ride of my 20 days in Sri Lanka. I looked into riding by Horton Plain near Nuwara Eliya, but it was not viable solo on a 150 cc scooter. Google Maps route backtracked through Ella, so I worked out a route on some back-roads, 4 hours.

The first half of the ride has great views winding through mountains and a big tea plantation. Near the end of the highlands, near Haputale, you get epic views down to the plain below. After a long descent, it's a steady ride on to Udawalawe town.

After staying in tourist-heavy Ella and Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe was a nice change of scenery - small, quiet, cheap, warm(!), and it's near Udawalawe National Park.

Rather than go on an organised safari, I rode out to the park edge, saw elephants, deer, boar, monkeys, many types of birds (also saw a cringeworthy line of jeeps waiting to enter the park). Though I planned on staying 1 night, I ended up staying 2 nights at Nature Lovers Safari Resort, $12/day.