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Ridiyagama Safari Park is 500 acre safari park, zoo in Ridiyagama area of Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. The park was opened to the public on 28 May 2016. Although the park reservation is 500 acres in size, only about 200 acres are currently been developed and is been gradually enlarged. The plan has envisaged nine zones for separate wildlife and at present four zones are operational.
The park was developed to give the freedom of movement to animals as much as possible and the visitors to be caged. The 80 acre mammal zone comprise of a large verity of grazers and some flightless birds from Americas, Africa and Asian countries. These include rare to see mammals such as Cape Buffalos, Zebras, camels, antelopes guanacos and Ostriches.
The elephant zone is 54 acres in size. There are number of small elephant groups as well as an African Elephant with a pair of majestic tusks roaming the ground. This African elephant has been moved to this park from the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens.
There are six Balali Tigers in the the 5 acre Bengal Tiger Zone. All are quite used to humans and walk up to vehicles without fear. Next is the Lion Zone. There are 14 lions in this zone. Seven lions were initially brought from various countries at the initiation of the park. The balance 7 have been born in park itself and another male lion born at the site has been donated to the Ambepussa Sinha Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army as their mascot.
One major disadvantage at this site is that personal vehicles are not allowed to enter the safari grounds. Therefore a visitor has only 2 options, use some of the few busses with meshed windows or hire one of the few jeeps available. Unfortunately busloads of visitors come here on weekends and on holidays thus you may spent a good half a day under the dry sun awaiting for your bus ride or waiting for a jeep to be vacant.
Site information
| Open Days | all 365 days |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 AM –5.00 PM |
Fees (2021 Update)
| Description | LKR |
|---|---|
| Local – Children | 12 |
| Local Adults | 350 |
| Foreign (SAARC Countries) Children | 400 |
| Foreign (SAARC Countries) Adults | 800 |
| Foreign Children | 1500 |
| Foreign Adults | 3000 |
With the highway developed up to Hambantota, this is one of the latest attractions of Hambantota has been a popular destination for those who travel to Kataragama.
To reach this site from the highway, you need to exit from the Sooriyawewa Exit. From Sooriyawewa, you need to take the gravel road for 6 kms along the Madunagala Sanctuary to reach the Safari Park. Alternatively you can exit from the Barawakumbura Exit (one before the Sooriyawewa Exit) and travel through Padalangala Road which is a much better road. Total distance from the exit to the site on this route is 15 km.
Also See
- Attractions of Sri Lanka
- Heritage of Sri Lanka
- Waterfalls of Sri Lanka
- Nature and Wildlife of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
- Bird Park Hambantota (official site)
Map of Ridiyagama Safari Park
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
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Travel Directions to Ridiyagama Safari Park
| Route from Colombo to Ridiyagama Safari Park |
| Though : Mattala Highway – Sooriyawewa Distance : 220 km Travel time : 3.5 hours Driving directions : see on google map |