Lying south of ancient Polonnaruwa and north of the Knuckles Range, Wasgomuwa National Park is peaceful haven for a variety of wildlife and birdlife. It has seen very little tourism for a long while but is now gaining attention of discerning nature lovers who want a relaxed and rewarding experience.
Wasgomuwa offers excellent chances to spot Elephants all the year aorund. Although the park is believed to hold the highest density of sloth bears in Sri Lanka, their nocturnal habits make them much more elusive to spot than in Yala National Park. Other mammals found here include leopards, jackals, Spotted Deer, Sambhar, Mongoose, Civet, Slender Loris and Hanuman Langurs.
Birds like the Ceylon Junglefowl, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Brown-capped Babbler, Blue-faced Malkoha, Lesser Adjutant, Grey-headed Fish-eagle and Brown Fish owl can be often be spotted in Wasgomuwa.
The park is demarcated by large rivers on all but its southern boundary and dominated by the Sudukanda Mountain Range, running north to south between the Amban Ganga and Mahaweli Ganga rivers. The park consists of riverine forests along the Mahaveli river, and dry monsoon forests in the low foothills.
The park’s multiple waterholes are excellent places to spot birds, mammals and a variety of dragonflies.
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