Spanning an expansive 36,900 hectares in the Matale and Polonnaruwa districts, just 10 kilometres from the Northern Province boundary, Wasgamuwa National Park is easily accessible from Sigiriya, approximately two hours away. Revered as a bastion of biodiversity, the park boasts a staggering array of flora, including 150 species with economic value and a venerable 1,700-year-old tamarind tree.
Home to an impressive array of wildlife, Wasgamuwa teems with 23 species of mammals, including the endemic purple-faced langur and toque macaque monkey, water buffalo, wild boar, sambar and axis deer, as well as elusive inhabitants like the sloth bear and leopard. The park’s reptilian population includes five endemic species, including the water monitor and mugger crocodile, alongside a captivating array of lizards.
Flush with avian diversity, Wasgamuwa is home to 143 bird species, including endemic treasures like the Ceylon jungle fowl and red-faced malkoha. Marvel at the graceful flight of peafowl, painted stork, white-necked stork, black-headed ibis, and Eurasian spoonbill, among countless other feathered inhabitants that grace the skies above Wasgamuwa.
While Gal Oya National Park welcomes visitors throughout the year, the dry season from April to September provides optimal conditions for elephant sightings along the banks of the Senanayake Samudra reservoir, enveloped by the park’s pristine wilderness. Whether by jeep or boat safari on the reservoir, expert guides ensure visitors are positioned at the right place and time for unforgettable wildlife viewing experiences.
The park’s diverse vegetation encompasses shrublands, grasslands, and forests, abundant with valuable medicinal herbs utilised in Ayurveda. Gal Oya is home to an impressive array of wildlife, with 32 recorded mammal species, including elephants, leopards, langurs, endemic toque macaques, sloth bears, wild boars, Sri Lankan sambar deer, axis deer, and water buffalo. Reptile enthusiasts can marvel at sightings of mugger crocodiles and star tortoises, while the park’s avian residents include nearly 150 bird species, both migratory and endemic. Endemic treasures such as the lesser adjutant, spot-billed pelican, and red-faced malkoha grace the skies alongside waterfowl like the lesser whistling duck, Indian cormorant, orient darter, and grey heron. Gal Oya National Park also boasts a vibrant array of butterflies, amphibians, and raptors, enriching the immersive experience of exploring this remarkable wilderness.
This featured list of Sri Lanka’s lesser-known wildlife parks will enrich your experience beyond the more crowded Yala, Wilpattu and Minneriya parks. Sigiriya offers the perfect base to explore these untamed landscapes in the North Central Province, with authentic untamed experiences of the island’s mesmerising wildlife.