Wasgamuwa National Park
Wasgamuwa National Park
4.5
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4.5
76 reviews
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16
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5
neil j
Colombo, Sri Lanka153 contributions
Jun 2022
One of the best places to see elephants but mostly can be seen after about 3.30 pm. we went in August and no other animals except deer at one place. Anyhow, the river bath is sometimes we enjoyed as it is safe and scenery. We went for a full day trip and the trackers had to clear roads and hardly any elephants in the morning but you can enjoy endless jungle flora.
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Davidrorippa
Melbourne, Australia82 contributions
Jan 2020
Wasgamuwa National Park is recently established as a wildlife haven, an offset for a major irrigation project in the vicinity. The accessible parts are mostly regrowth scrub, following years of dispersed grazing and hunting, altho there are also some high quality damp forests on the less accessible lower mountain slopes (also part of the national park). The standard Sri Lankan large animals are all too easily seen, notably elefants, buffalo, spotted deer, crocodiles and others, plus PLENTY of bird life and even a few varieties of snakes. You may be lucky enough to catch leopards (altho these can never be guaranteed).
It's a bit 'off the beaten track', best accessible via Dambulla and the park itself can be accessed by jeep safari (including park guide). We stayed at the nearby Safari Lodge (a great location - more on that later).
It's a great alternative to Yala. In Wasgamuwa you can see the wildlife in natural habitat without the swarms of tourists that harry the wildlife in better known parks, such as Yala. Sri Lanka provides some of the best 'big wild animal' experiences outside Africa.
It's a bit 'off the beaten track', best accessible via Dambulla and the park itself can be accessed by jeep safari (including park guide). We stayed at the nearby Safari Lodge (a great location - more on that later).
It's a great alternative to Yala. In Wasgamuwa you can see the wildlife in natural habitat without the swarms of tourists that harry the wildlife in better known parks, such as Yala. Sri Lanka provides some of the best 'big wild animal' experiences outside Africa.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy T
48 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
We had an amazing experience here, and the flexibility of your own driver means that if a noisy group turns up, you can go the other way (as we did!)
Agree with other reviews, less busy than some parks.
Elephants in abundance. A few buffalo, monitor lizards and some great birds.
Highly recommended
Agree with other reviews, less busy than some parks.
Elephants in abundance. A few buffalo, monitor lizards and some great birds.
Highly recommended
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew
16 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Wanted a park with few crowds and in an area where roads weren’t congested. Wasgamuwa was perfect. Booked a three hour trip for $60 including park fees and enjoyed it all. Only two other cars there all afternoon, beautiful scenery and saw lots! Monitor lizards, mongoose, buffalo , spotted deer, and lots of elephants - really close too!
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shm00
London, UK161 contributions
Sep 2014 • Friends
We can't recommend this more highly - far far better than a visit to the (distressing) elephant orphanage near Kandy. On a three-hour safari we saw somewhere between 50 and 100 wild elephants in family groups, roaming free - yet the safari jeep drivers managed to get us up close to some of them, as long as we were quite quiet. We also saw a range of other wildlife, including monitor lizards and water monitors, crocodiles, water buffalo, giant squirrels, Brahminy Kites, Fish Eagles, torque monkeys, grey langar monkeys, chameleons, a huge grey fish owl, Asian open bills, pelicans, red coots, green bee-eaters, and many more creatures besides. The guide/safari driver was knowledgable and friendly, and was happy to tailor the tour to what we wanted to do (if you want to stay looking at elephants all the time, that's fine; if you want to move on and see other animals/birds, the guides are happy to accommodate). If you can, take some binoculars, though, as you'll see much more.
Written September 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Agampodi
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka304 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
I will not rate this place above Wilpattu or Yala National parks. However, if you are interested in watching massive WilAliya then you should visit this place.
Tips:
1. One day afternoon /evening is good enough for this trip
2. Morning is useless
3. Don't expect to see sloth bear or leopard here
4. If you are staying inside, make sure you have all those things you need including extra batteries and power banks. You will get only lights, not power outlets for charging (it is from solar power DC current)
5. If you want to bath in Mahaweli river , be careful there are massive Crocodiles !!!!! We saw them only after 2 hours play in the river....!!
Tips:
1. One day afternoon /evening is good enough for this trip
2. Morning is useless
3. Don't expect to see sloth bear or leopard here
4. If you are staying inside, make sure you have all those things you need including extra batteries and power banks. You will get only lights, not power outlets for charging (it is from solar power DC current)
5. If you want to bath in Mahaweli river , be careful there are massive Crocodiles !!!!! We saw them only after 2 hours play in the river....!!
Written August 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelerRanitha
Moratuwa, Sri Lanka570 contributions
Dec 2010 • Friends
I visited wasgomuwa in 2009 and it was a great experience, I have traveled to many wild life sanctuaries (Yala, Wilpattu, Kumana…etc) around the country and this was one of the top rated visits. the most advisable thing to do is if you’re really in to wild life is to book a bungalow inside the national park it can be done through “sri lanka wild life dept.” in battaramula . two bungalows are near the river (wawul-ebe, Mahaeliya) .Bungalows are not luxurious ones but manageable. their is elephant that comes to wawul-ebe bungalow every night when we stayed ,he doesn’t harm anyone just have a look around and go (a tracker will be given…so not to worry)
safari rides can be arranged near the gate and it cost 7000/- for whole day (at that time)
safari rides can be arranged near the gate and it cost 7000/- for whole day (at that time)
Written November 14, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anushka F
Colombo, Sri Lanka28 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
We camped inside the national park and i must say the experience was fantastic! We spotted so many birds and i managed to click some amazing shots! The elephants were an absolute pleasure to observe! The park wasnt crowded with crazy safari jeeps and we felt like we had the whole place to our selves.
Written November 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alyssa F
Sheffield, UK57 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
We visited Wasgamuwa park for an afternoon safari, starting at 2pm. We had a guide from the park in the Jeep with us who explained to us about the different animals and plants. It was extremely informative. We saw many birds, peacocks, butterflies, water buffalo and many elephants, we saw a herd of female elephants with their young and a few solitary male elephants. A fantastic trip. Entrance to the park is about £10 per person, our home stay organised our safari Jeep which was £17.50. A fantastic trip for us and worth every penny. This park is less frequented by tourists, we had a car & driver to take us, I'm not sure what the public transport would be like to get here. I imagine it would be limited.
Written February 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xian L
Sentosa Island, Singapore14 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
My friend and I arrived at Polonnaruwa via the train to realise, there really wasnt much to the place (in terms of sight seeing) besides the national park and the ancient city. Upon desperation from boredom, we decided, despite the really high prices, to join the safari.
Ok, so you have to pay for the Jeep, the entrance fee etc. For 2 people, its a little over US 100. For that, you get to see, some elephants kicking and eating grass, some birds and ALOT of other Jeeps. It's fascinating to see your first elephants, but after that, its just more elephants, and more elephants. It's hard to enjoy them with the sounds of other Jeeps and exhaust.
Altogether, I left feeling a tad unsatisfied. I am glad i saw them, but I wasn't sure if the price justified it.
Ok, so you have to pay for the Jeep, the entrance fee etc. For 2 people, its a little over US 100. For that, you get to see, some elephants kicking and eating grass, some birds and ALOT of other Jeeps. It's fascinating to see your first elephants, but after that, its just more elephants, and more elephants. It's hard to enjoy them with the sounds of other Jeeps and exhaust.
Altogether, I left feeling a tad unsatisfied. I am glad i saw them, but I wasn't sure if the price justified it.
Written August 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Written September 22, 2019
Would anyone be able to let me know if you can catch a train from somewhere near Wasgamuwa to Ella? Tried searching but have found nothing. Thanks. Al
Written September 2, 2018
Is the beginning of April good season to visit Wasgamuwa? In case, do you recommend to visit in the early morning or afternoon?
Thanks!
Written March 27, 2018
I'm not sure about what is the best season to visit there but I can recommend go there early morning and then you can see a lot of elephants
Written May 6, 2018
Amiracle13
Wattala, Sri Lanka
Can someone please tell me how to get from wasgamuwa to kandy by bus? (Or train?)
Written February 19, 2018
Amiracle13
Wattala, Sri Lanka
What is the best way to get to Wasgumuwa? Can either leave from Polonnaruwa or Dambulla depending on which is easier. Would prefer to use public transport. Thanks!
Written February 7, 2018
You can come to the Mahiyanganaya by bus from Polonnaruwa or Dambulla. Then you can catch the public transport to Wasgamuwa
Written March 19, 2018
how do I book the jeep and park tickets online? I cant find the correct link
Written November 6, 2017
There is no online facility to book a jeep and park ticket. There are enough jeeps at the park entrance ( no need to worry at all :) ). Tickets issue only at the park entrance by Wild life department
Written November 21, 2017
how do I book the jeep and park tickets online? I cant find the correct link
Written November 6, 2017
HI,
I was thinking to go to Wasgamuwa from Polonnaruwa, but I didn´t find any option to get there by means of public transport. Does someone know if this route is served by bus? If not, is there any connection from Kandy or other place?
Thanks!
Written January 23, 2017
You have to go to Dambulla to start your journey.Find Mahiyangana bus n go to Hettipola (80km & takes 2.5 h).Then transfer to Handungamuwa bus @ hettipola n go to Handungamuwa (16 km takes 45 mins).Handungamuwa is the nearest bus stop to Wasgamuwa & it's around 1km to Wasgamuwa park entrance.
Written January 29, 2017
If I were to visit the Park in late September, is there a good chance that I may spot sloth bear and one of the large herds of elephant ? What OTHER animals and birds can I expect to see??
Written September 1, 2016
Yeah you can see large herds of elephants in late Sep -beginning of Oct,but it depends on your luck, because once i have bean their at second weekend of Oct,2012 & saw 80 elephants in one place,but in previous week end they saw only 4 in whole weekend.Sloth bear sighting are very rear but there is a chance.Most probably April-June is the best season for Leopards & sloth bears sightings in Wasgamuwa. You also can see Spotted deer,Barking deer,Sambar Deer,mouse deer,water buffalo,Sri Lankan leopard, jackal,wild boar,porcupine,lesser adjutant stork,malabar pied hornbill,various kinda eagles & more....have fun..
Written September 1, 2016
Which are the nice places to stay at when visiting Wasgamuwa National Park
Written December 17, 2015
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