Wasgamuwa National Park | AmazingLanka.com

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Size	37,062 hectares
Main attractions	Large herds of Elephants, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Barking deer, langur, Wild Boar, Crocodiles, Water Buffalo, Peacocks, and many migratory birds.

Tucked between the ancient lands of the Polonnaruwa and Matale Districts, Wasgamuwa National Park is a hidden gem in Sri Lanka’s wildlife and cultural heritage scene. Bordered by the Mahaweli Ganga to the east, the Amban Ganga to the north and west, and the Dunuwila Oya to the south, this lush and scenic wilderness is an ideal destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

To the immediate northeast of Wasgamuwa lies the 17,350-hectare Flood Plains National Park, situated downstream. To the north is the 7,529-hectare Minneriya National Park. The name “Wasgamuwa” is believed to have originated from “walas-gama,” meaning bear country. Originally established as a wildlife sanctuary, the area was later upgraded to a national park after the local villagers were resettled in the Mahaweli development zones.

🌿 Wildlife Wonders of the Park

In total, 23 species of mammals have been recorded within the park, including Spotted Deer, Wild Buffalo,
Leopards (though elusive, sightings are possible), Sloth Bears, Water Monitors and Crocodiles in the waterholes.

Bird watchers are also in for a treat with 143 species of birds found in the park, out of Sri Lanka’s total of 428 species, making it a haven for avian enthusiasts.

The main attraction at Wasgamuwa National Park is its wild elephant population. Although the Mahaweli River forms one of the park’s boundaries, many elephants migrate to Minneriya National Park during the dry season in search of water. As a result, the best time to view large herds of elephants, sometimes up to 200, is during the dry months at Minneriya National Park.

Entrance Ticket Cost for Wasgamuwa National Park

Description (Fees Applicable for Category 2 Parks)	Price
Local – Adults	LKR 60
Local – Children (6-12 years)	LKR 30
Local – Student	LKR 20
Local – Children (below 6 years)	FOC
Local – Group Fee (per vehicle)	LKR 400
Foreign – Adults	USD 12
Foreign – Children (6-12 years)	USD 6
Foreign SAARC Countries – Adults	USD 10
Foreign SAARC Countries – Children (6-12 years)	USD 5
Foreign – Children (below 6 years)	FOC
Foreign – Group Fee (per vehicle)	USD 10
Taxes on total cost	18%
Entrance Fee per vehicle	LKR 300

Ticket Price Schedule as of 2025 and gazetted in 2022

For example, for 2 foreigners with 1 child between 6 and 12 will have the cost of

Description	Cost
2 adults	USD 24.00
1 child	USD 6.00
Group Fee	USD 10.00
Total	USD 40.00
Tax (18%)	USD 7.20
Total	USD 47.20

The above calculation applies only to individual entry tickets as gazetted in 2022 and remain valid for 2025. The vehicle entry ticket, as listed separately, must be purchased in addition to the personal tickets.

Foreign visitors may make payments in USD or the equivalent amount in LKR. For the most up-to-date ticket prices, the Government Information Centre can be contacted on 1919. If a private safari jeep is hired for a land safari, rates generally range from LKR 7,500 to LKR 10,000 for a half-day excursion of about four hours, depending on the national park. A full-day safari is typically charged at twice the half-day rate.

Visiting Hours

All national parks in Sri Lanka operate daily throughout the year, remaining open from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Entry ticket counters open at 6.00 a.m. and close at 4.00 p.m., and all vehicles are required to exit the parks strictly by 6.00 p.m.

🌿 Echoes of the Past

Wasgamuwa is more than just a wildlife retreat—it’s a landscape layered with history. Ancient man once thrived here long before the time of Christ, and the ruins left behind tell tales of the region’s former glory.

Historical Sites Inside the Park

Most of these historical sites lie deep in the jungle outside the designated vehicle tracks. Special permission will be required to access these sites.

Kalinga Yodha Ela: A remarkable canal built during the reign of King Parakramabahu in the 12th century on the border of Wasgamuwa National Park.
Ancient Reservoirs: Malagamuwa, Wilmitiya, and Dasthota reflect the ingenuity of ancient irrigation.
Kalinga Island (Kalinga Duwa): A serene and historically significant islet on the Mahaweli River in the border of Wasgamuwa National Park
Archaeological Sites: Such as Multiple Ruins surrounding Dastota Wewa Reservoir, Nagana Gala, Pilimagala, Nawageti Ara Ruins, Malagamuwa Wewa Bisokotuwa, Ali Besama Ruins, Sudukanda /Kumarakanda Ruins
Yudanganapitiya: A historic battleground where the armies of Kings Dutugemunu and Elara once clashed.

🏕️ Accommodations & Accessibility

This National park is open to visitors from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Reservation of Circuit Bungalows or campsites for resident visitors is done by the Head office of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. (Only three campsites could be reserved at the park Warden’s office) . There are three bungalows within the park (Kadurupitiya, Mahaweli and Wawul Ebe) and two bungalows outside the park ( Gale Bungalow and Angammedille) . 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.

Also See

Map of Wasgamuwa National Park and Other Places of Interest

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Travel Directions to Wasgamuwa National Park

Turn off at Hasalaka on the Kandy-Mahiyangana Road and proceed via Wilgamuwa up to Wasgamuwa. Visitors from the Matale and Polonnaruwa areas can reach Wasgamuwa via Laggala and Wilgamuwa. The Wilgamuwa Japan Bridge provides easy access to visitors coming from the Mahaweli system-C.

Route from Colombo to Wasgamuwa National Park Entrnace	Route from Polonnaruwa to Wasgamuwa National Park Entrnace
Though : Kandy – Hasalaka – Hettipola distance :235 km Travel time : 6 hours. Driving directions : see on google map	Though : Manampitiya – Dimbulagala – Dehiattakandiya – Hettipola distance :95 km Travel time : 2 hours. Driving directions : see on google map