Uda Walawe lies South of the central hills of the island, and it surrounds the man-made reservoir of Uda Walawe, which is part of the park. It is a mixture of abandoned teak plantation, scrub jungle & grassland. The dry season is best to watch the many herds of elephant that roam the park; which is usually between May & September.

Almost the entire park is covered with tall, reedy Pohon grass, which grows all year round, except during the months of June and October.