Leaving the cool hills of Ella and heading down to the south-coast beaches? Don't waste a transfer day — do an Udawalawe safari on the way. The drive from Ella to the Southern Province passes right by Udawalawe National Park, so the smartest plan is to fold a morning safari into your transfer: we collect you from your Ella hotel, keep your luggage safe, take you on a private 4WD safari, then drive you on to your beach hotel — one route, no backtracking, no extra day. Ella to Udawalawe is only about 75 km (~2 hours) down the scenic Ella Gap, and the park has a 95%+ elephant sighting rate, open 365 days a year.
This guide covers the route and timing, what happens to your luggage, a full itinerary, where to eat lunch, the Ella sights to fit in beforehand — and a price table from Ella to 12 Southern Province destinations via a half-day safari (1 passenger).
🐘 Book Your Ella → Safari → South Coast Transfer
One fixed price: Ella pickup, private A/C transport to the coast, 4WD safari jeep, park tickets, expert guide & luggage handled.
Get My Transfer Price →🚐 Why Do the Safari on Your Transfer Day?
- No backtracking. Udawalawe sits between the hill country and the coast — doing the safari en route saves a whole separate day and a long out-and-back drive.
- Luggage handled. Your bags stay secure in the private vehicle while you're in the safari jeep; you simply continue to the beach afterwards.
- One fixed price. Pickup, transport all the way to the coast, jeep, tickets and guide are bundled — no surprises.
- Best of both worlds. Tea-country mornings and beach sunsets on the same day, with wild elephants in between.
🗺️ The Route & Timing (Ella → Udawalawe → South Coast)
From Ella you descend the dramatic Ella Gap via Wellawaya and Thanamalwila to the Udawalawe park gate (~75 km, ~2 hours). After the safari and lunch you continue to the coast — joining the A2/Southern Expressway depending on your final hotel.
| Plan | Leave Ella | Safari | Arrive south coast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning safari (recommended) | ~3:45 AM | 6:00–9:30 AM | early–mid afternoon |
| Afternoon safari | ~11:00 AM | 3:00–6:00 PM | evening / night |
The morning safari is best for a transfer day — peak wildlife, best light, and you reach your beach hotel with the afternoon to spare. Arrange an early checkout in Ella the night before.
📋 Sample Transfer-Day Itinerary (Morning Safari)
- 03:45 AMCheckout & pickup at your Ella hotel; descend the Ella Gap (rest on the drive).
- 05:45 AMArrive Udawalawe; transfer to your private 4WD jeep (luggage stays secure in the vehicle).
- 06:00 AMMorning safari — elephants, birds, buffalo, deer, crocodiles (≈3–4 hours).
- 10:00 AMExit park; optional Elephant Transit Home (9:00 AM feeding).
- 10:45 AMSri Lankan rice-and-curry lunch near Udawalawe.
- 12:00 PMContinue to the south coast via the A2 / Southern Expressway.
- ~1:30–3:30 PMArrive at your Southern Province hotel (time depends on destination).
💰 Price Table: Ella → Udawalawe Safari → Southern Hotel (Half-Day, 1 Person)
The table shows the indicative all-inclusive price for one traveller for the whole journey — Ella hotel pickup, a private half-day Udawalawe safari, and drop-off at your Southern Province hotel. The price rises the further west along the coast you finish. The vehicle is private and one price for 1–6 people, so sharing lowers the per-person cost. Prices are computed with our live distance-based pricing; get the exact figure from the Get Price tool.
| # | Drop-off (Southern Province) | Approx. total distance | Ella → safari → here (1 pax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hambantota | ~136 km | US$181 |
| 2 | Tissamaharama | ~145 km | US$186 |
| 3 | Tangalle | ~145 km | US$186 |
| 4 | Matara | ~155 km | US$192 |
| 5 | Dikwella / Hiriketiya | ~161 km | US$196 |
| 6 | Mirissa | ~170 km | US$201 |
| 7 | Weligama | ~173 km | US$203 |
| 8 | Unawatuna | ~195 km | US$217 |
| 9 | Galle | ~200 km | US$220 |
| 10 | Hikkaduwa | ~213 km | US$228 |
| 11 | Ahungalla | ~218 km | US$231 |
| 12 | Bentota | ~225 km | US$235 |
Pickup from any Ella hotel — e.g. 98 Acres Resort & Spa, EKHO Ella, Ella Flower Garden Resort, Mountain Heavens, Zion View, The Secret Ella, 360 Ella or Melheim Resort. Indicative, private, all-inclusive (transport Ella→coast + jeep + park tickets + guide), half-day safari. Full-day safari adds ~US$32; travelling as 2–6 lowers the per-person cost. Exact live quote via the Get Price tool or WhatsApp.
🐘 Get Your Exact Transfer + Safari Quote
Tell us your Ella hotel and your Southern Province hotel and we'll price the whole journey — pickup, safari and drop-off — in one fixed figure.
Calculate My Price →✅ What's Included
- Ella hotel pickup & drop-off at your Southern Province hotel
- Private air-conditioned transport the whole way (sedan / SUV / van)
- Private 4WD safari jeep at Udawalawe — 6-seater
- Udawalawe park entrance tickets — included
- Experienced naturalist guide / driver & luggage handling
- Fixed price, no hidden charges — pay by card online or LKR/USD cash on the day
🍛 Where to Eat Lunch Near Udawalawe
After the safari, before the coast leg, stop for an authentic Sri Lankan lunch in Udawalawe town:
- Amba Kola Hotel & Restaurant — generous, authentic rice and curry served fast.
- Ice Burge Family Restaurant — clean, varied menu; known for its chicken biryani.
- Water's Edge Udawalawa — relaxed setting with a lunch buffet and à la carte options.
- Udaya Restaurant — simple, tasty home-style Sri Lankan food.
⛰️ See Ella First — Then Transfer With a Safari
Because a morning safari needs a very early start, enjoy Ella's highlights on your last afternoon, then transfer the next morning:
- Nine Arch Bridge — the iconic colonial railway viaduct in the tea hills.
- Little Adam's Peak — an easy, gorgeous sunrise/sunset hike.
- Ravana Falls & Ravana Cave — on the road down toward Wellawaya.
- Lipton's Seat & tea estates — sweeping highland views.
Prefer a lie-in on transfer day? We can do an afternoon safari with a later Ella departure instead — you'll just reach the coast in the evening.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — it's the smartest way. The drive passes close to Udawalawe, so you do the safari on your transfer day: Ella pickup, luggage kept secure, safari, then on to your Southern Province hotel — one route, no backtracking, no wasted day.
About 75 km, ~2–2.5 hours, descending the Ella Gap via Wellawaya and Thanamalwila to the gate. From the park it's then 1–3 hours onward to the various south-coast beaches.
It stays securely in your private transport vehicle while you're in the open safari jeep. Your driver looks after everything — just enjoy the safari and continue to the coast.
Around 3:45 AM to reach the gate by ~5:45–6:00 AM. After the safari and lunch you continue south, arriving at your beach hotel early-to-mid afternoon. Arrange an early checkout the night before.
From about US$181 (to Hambantota/Tissamaharama) up to about US$235 (to Bentota), depending how far west you finish. The vehicle is private and one price for 1–6 people, so sharing lowers the per-person cost. Exact quote via the Get Price tool.
Ella pickup, A/C private transport all the way to your Southern Province hotel, the private 4WD jeep, Udawalawe park tickets, an experienced guide, and luggage handling — a fixed price with no hidden charges.
An authentic rice-and-curry lunch near Udawalawe after the safari — Amba Kola Hotel & Restaurant, Ice Burge Family Restaurant, Water's Edge Udawalawa or Udaya Restaurant — before the coast leg.
Any — Hambantota, Tissamaharama, Tangalle, Dikwella/Hiriketiya, Matara, Mirissa, Weligama, Unawatuna, Galle, Hikkaduwa, Ahungalla and Bentota are all on the route after the safari. Tell us your final hotel and we plan the drive around it.
Best done the day before, as the morning safari starts very early. See the Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam's Peak, Ravana Falls and Lipton's Seat on your last Ella afternoon, then transfer with the safari the next morning. Or choose an afternoon safari with a later departure.
Yes. The same routing works in reverse: we collect you from your Southern Province hotel, do a morning Udawalawe safari, then drive you up to Ella. Tell us your start and end points and we'll price and plan it.
🐘 Hill Country to Beach, Elephants in Between
One smart transfer • private safari • luggage handled • fixed all-inclusive price. Book your Ella → Udawalawe → south-coast journey now.
Book My Transfer + Safari →Or call/WhatsApp +94 77 083 3772
Related guides: Best Time to Visit Udawalawe · Galle Day Tour · Hiriketiya Day Tour · Udawalawe Jeep Safari Guide