Sri Lanka Holidays

Wasgomuwa National Park, Sri Lanka

Close to Polonnaruwa

Distance from Colombo: 225 km (via Kandy)
Entrance: along the Habrana Polonnaruwa road
Access to the the park: from Giritale or Naula
The trip: a guest house trip from one of the hotel/guest houses at Polonnaruwa (1st choice in terms of distance) or Habarana (1st choice in terms of accommodation)
Size of the park: 37062 ha enclosed by River Mahaweli & River Amban, northeastern edge of the hill country elevation 76m to 500m.
The terrain of the park: dry-zone ever green forest along the main rivers & on the hills & open plains in the southeastern & eastern sections of the park.
Best time to visit: June to September (dry season in the dry zone) when the mammals & birds roam around the tank
Main draw: herds of elephants up to 150
Mammals: leopards, fishing cats, sambar deer, the endangered rusty spotted cat, sloth bear (23 species)
Birds: 143 species

Transmigration of elephants of Wasgomuwa National Park: Kaudulla National Park (Close to Polonnaruwa) & Minneriya National Park (Close to Polonnaruwa)

Accomodation

Villas
There are three bungalows within the park (Kadurupitiya, Mahaweli and Wawul Ebe) and two bungalows outside the park (Gale Bungalow and Angammedille).

Campsites
There are five campsites (Mahaweli Ganga I and II, Medapitiya, Ulpath Hatha and Wawul Ebe) for nature lovers to study the natural environment. Accommodation is also available at guesthouses and hotels in Polonnaruwa, Giritale and Habarana and at economical rest-houses in Mahiyangana and Pallegama.