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Uva Province
Tanamalwila
Things to Do in Tanamalwila
Lunugamvehera National Park

Lunugamvehera National Park, Tanamalwila: Address, Lunugamvehera National Park Reviews: 4.5/5

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Lunugamvehera National Park

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Lunugamvehera National Park
4.5
51
#1 of 3 things to do in Tanamalwila
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Admission tickets
from $41.00
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Top ways to experience Lunugamvehera National Park and nearby attractions

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
51 reviews
Excellent
30
Very good
13
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Forest Destine
Papua New Guinea112 contributions
Great information on park
Friends
So here is some information about this park. Very limited on information. Lucky we found some locals at Priyanthanee Hotel where we stayed. I don’t know local language but I can just say the things I had seen. First off, didn’t see any jeeps out front. This place is not commercialized at all. Actually we were the only ones in the whole park, on Sunday. We seen so many animals though.

Wow. Incredible time today in the wildlife safria of Tanamalwila, Sir Lanka. Seen today about 100 birds, monkeys of course, elephants, deer, crocs, lizards, many peacocks, foxes and so much more. Will make a video on it soon so stay in touch on my YouTube.
Epic! Forest Destine

So if coming here I highly recommend finding a hotel to help you or take your time coming here. You might have to question things all day long even before you can find a Jeep, driver and even a ranger as a guide. But we seen so much. It was truly an amazing experience.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Piotr5
Switzerland52 contributions
Absolutely great experience
Couples
We went on the safari organized by our hotel (Tranquil Wild) and it was absolutely great experience. We heard stories about overcrowded Yala National Park, where hundreds jeeps packed with tourists try to spot elephants and leopards...
We wanted to have it an easy way and we got what we wanted - hundreds of birds, peacocks, several elephants, crocodiles, turtle, eagles...no leopards but we were still really happy!
There was only one jeep beside us.
Perfect morning.
Go there!
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Emma M
Well, UK8 contributions
Fabulous safari with excellent guides
We set out at 5am for this trip but it was perfect. Just us in our jeep with a very good careful driver and a friendly and knowledgeable guide.
it was peaceful and unhurried. We were in the park for approx 4 hours and only saw one other jeep.
We saw a huge array of beautiful animals and birds waking up in the wild with no stress of even being aware of us being there.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Valiant2
Somerset142 contributions
Great park
We visited this park in the afternoon having been to Yala in the morning, and far preferred it. It was much less busy, and unlike Yala when we did see elephants, jackals etc we had them to ourselves rather than a scrum with scores of other jeeps arriving.

Very enjoyable visit.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kasun W
Colombo, Sri Lanka705 contributions
Ocean of Spotted Deer !
Friends
Lunugamvehera National Park is one of the major national park in Sri Lanka which situated and bordered to Yala National Park. You can visit this National Park via two (02) main routes as follows:

Via Colombo>Rathnapura>Uda walawe>Thanamalwila to Lunugamvehera (approximately 231km)
Via Colombo>Hambantota>tissamaharama>thanamalwila to Lunugamvehera (approximately 265km)

By visiting here you could observe Wild Elephant, Wild Boar, Leopard, Wild Buffalo, Crocodiles, Spotted Deer, Rabbits, Peacock and variety of Birds. It has Three bungalows inside the National Park which you could book via Department of Wild Life-Sri Lanka. Following link will provide additional details regarding the bungalows.

http://www.dwc.gov.lk/library/Bungalows.html
Written January 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alexander-Moelker
Meppel, The Netherlands48 contributions
Yala's little sister
Couples
Getting away from the crowd in Yala's main feature (block 1) we got to Lunugamvehera National Park. Actually also Yala but this is block 3! No traffic jams and here we did see leopards!
Please do note that the drivers here are exclusively focused to find the prized leopard. Although it's wonderful to find them but it did give me the feeling nothing else matters.
Written September 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
gail t
Mandalay, Myanmar24 contributions
Beautiful and Uncrowded
Couples
We saw:

Redback jackels
Yellow-wattled lapwings
Red-wattled lapwing
Changeable hawks
Serpent hawks
Malabar Pied hornbills
Peahens and peacocks
Western purple faced langurs
Common hoopoe
Black-rumped firebacker
Painted storks
Open bill stork
Elephants
Green bee eaters
Blue-tailed bee eater
Bulbul
Munia
Spotted deer
Water buffaloes
Crocodiles
Grey mongoose
Green pigeon

It rained for part of our safari which I found very refreshing. Of course we had to put our cameras away for a while. After the rain we continued on. I got some really great shots of the wildlife, especially the birds!! Loved this place.
Written April 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Evarts Photography
Colombo, Sri Lanka781 contributions
Never make a booking from Yala or Katharagama
Couples
This park is one of the least visited parks as most people visit the famous Yala block 1. As a result this park is almost empty and ideal for bird, leopard, elephant, deer, bear sightings. I highly recommend a full day safari where the jeep cost will be Rs. 10,000.

Make sure you book a Toyota Hilux cab or Mitsubishi L200 cab and never a Mahindra jeep because the Mahindra is uncomfortable and engine makes a loud noise scaring away animals. Also, check if your safari jeep front glass can be opened to give you a better view.

If you visit this park make sure you go to Lunugamwehera and book from there and never from Yalal because safari jeeps in Yala take you to Yala block 5 claiming that it is Lunugamwehera where it is not!! It is only a part of Lunugamwehera which is also called block 5.
Written September 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sibel H
England, UK50 contributions
Much better than Yala
Couples
This is a total contrast to the the busy safari park at Yala, where the jeep drivers had no respect for the animals and were only interested in getting as close to the animal as possible, crashing into each other and frightening the leopard away so no one got to observe it. But in the lesser known Lunugamvehera, which we entered opposite Block 3 entrance to Yala, it was tranquil and peaceful as not many people use it. We spotted an abundance of wildlife, and we saw 3 leopards on our afternoon safari. In contrast to the terrible behaviour of safari jeep drivers at Yala, here the drivers were respectful of the animals and were content to sit quietly and observe the leopards. Would definitely recommend over Yala any day, which is much busier.
Written March 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lovethisplanet2014
Palmerston, Australia223 contributions
Birds, deer, monkeys, crocodiles
Friends
Nice park with lots of animals to see. We weren’t lucky enough to see a leopard but we had some pretty good jackal encounters, 2 species of monkeys and more than 50 bird species.
Our driver was very good. He drove slowly and carefully and stopped immediately when told by the park guide or us.
His name is Walter, company name: Sellam Safari.
mobile: 0702000097/98
The Jeep (fitting 6 people) was Rs 8000 for the whole group (4 hours turned into 5 hours).

Entry fee into the park was US$ 10 (+ 8US$ service fee per group, + 15% tax).
Written April 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Lunugamvehera National Park
Lunugamvehera National Park admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost $41.00, while a popular guided tour starts around $22.00 per person. See all 8 Lunugamvehera National Park tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
Lunugamvehera National Park can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 8 Lunugamvehera National Park tickets and tours on Tripadvisor