Wasgamuwa National Park

Matale & Polonnaruwa Districts, Sri Lanka

066 366 9046

Overview

Wasgamuwa National Park is located in Matale and Polonnaruwa Districts, Sri Lanka. It was originally designated as a nature reserve in 1938 and later upgraded to a national park in 1984 to provide a refuge for wildlife displaced by the Mahaweli Development Project.

Key Features

  • Location: Matale & Polonnaruwa Districts, Sri Lanka
  • Size: 39,322 hectares
  • Climate: Dry-zone with an annual rainfall of 1,650–2,100mm
  • Best Time to Visit: November to May (for elephant sightings)
  • Wildlife:
    • Mammals: Sri Lankan elephants, sloth bears, leopards, water buffalo, wild boar, sambar deer
    • Birds: Endemic species like Sri Lanka junglefowl, painted storks, and white-bellied sea eagles
    • Reptiles & Amphibians: Mugger crocodiles, estuarine crocodiles, water monitors
  • Flora: Dry-zone forests with riverine vegetation and grasslands
  • Historical Significance: The park contains ancient irrigation tanks and ruins of Chulangani Chaitya, built by King Mahanaga

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Wasgamuwa National Park is located in Matale and Polonnaruwa Districts, Sri Lanka. It was originally designated as a nature reserve in 1938 and later upgraded to a national park in 1984 to provide a refuge for wildlife displaced by the Mahaweli Development Project.

Key Features

  • Location: Matale & Polonnaruwa Districts, Sri Lanka
  • Size: 39,322 hectares
  • Climate: Dry-zone with an annual rainfall of 1,650–2,100mm
  • Best Time to Visit: November to May (for elephant sightings)
  • Wildlife:
    • Mammals: Sri Lankan elephants, sloth bears, leopards, water buffalo, wild boar, sambar deer
    • Birds: Endemic species like Sri Lanka junglefowl, painted storks, and white-bellied sea eagles
    • Reptiles & Amphibians: Mugger crocodiles, estuarine crocodiles, water monitors
  • Flora: Dry-zone forests with riverine vegetation and grasslands
  • Historical Significance: The park contains ancient irrigation tanks and ruins of Chulangani Chaitya, built by King Mahanaga