Wasgamuwa National Park
Facts and practical information
Wasgamuwa National Park is a natural park in Sri Lanka situated in the Matale and Polonnaruwa Districts. It was declared to protect and to make a refuge for the displaced wild animals during the Mahaweli Development Project in 1984 and is one of the four National Parks designated under the Project. Originally it was designated as a nature reserve in 1938, and then in the early 1970s the area was regraded as a strict nature reserve. Wasgamuwa is one of protected areas where Sri Lankan Elephants can be seen in large herds. It is also one of the Important Bird Areas in Sri Lanka. The name of the Wasgamuwa has derived through the words "Walas Gamuwa". "Walasa" is Sinhala for sloth bear and "Gamuwa" means a wood. The park is situated 225 km away from Colombo. ()
Polonnaruwa
Best Ways to Experience the Park
Wildlife
AnimalsSee what popular animal species you can meet in this location.
Sloth bear
The sloth bear, native to the Indian subcontinent, is a fascinating species known for its diet of fruits, ants, and termites. Sadly, it’s listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and degradation.
Mammals
Mugger crocodile
The mugger crocodile, also known as the marsh crocodile or broad-snouted crocodile, is a fascinating freshwater species native to regions spanning from southern Iran to the Indian subcontinent. Unfortunately, it has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since...
Reptiles
Lesser adjutant
The lesser adjutant is a captivating large wading bird belonging to the stork family, Ciconiidae. With its distinctive bare neck and head, this bird is easily recognizable in its preferred wetland habitats. Unlike its close relative, the greater adjutant, the lesser...
Birds
Sri Lankan elephant
The Sri Lankan elephant is a distinctive subspecies of the Asian elephant, endemic to Sri Lanka. Since 1986, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified them as endangered, primarily due to habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation.
Mammals
Toque Monkey
The toque macaque, an Old World monkey endemic to Sri Lanka, is locally referred to as the rilewa or rilawa. This species is classified into three subspecies: *Macaca sinica sinica*, *Macaca sinica aurifrons*, and *Macaca sinica opisthomelas*, each indigenous...
Mammals
Polonnaruwa