Tucked away northeast of Kandy in Sri Lanka’s Polonnaruwa and Matale Districts, Wasgomuwa National Park is a quiet sanctuary of thick forest, open plains and cultural intrigue.
Encompassing over 39,000 hectares and bordered by the Mahaweli and Amban Ganga rivers, it lies in the shadow of the Sudukanda Mountain Range, which runs north to south through the park. Established as a national park in 1984, it was formed by combining a former Strict Nature Reserve with adjacent land, to protect habitats lost during the Mahaweli Development Project. Its tropical dry evergreen forest and illuk grasslands support an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, with trees like kaluwara ebony, weera and wa prominent along dense hilly ridges and riverbanks, while the south-eastern and eastern sections open into expansive plains.
Wildlife watchers can expect herds of Asian elephants, water buffalo, golden jackals and the notoriously shy sloth bears, while lucky visitors may also spot leopards and fishing cats. Other species include slender loris, wild boars, sambar and several types of deer. Wasgomuwa is also a haven for birds, with 143 recorded species, including eight endemics such as the red-faced malkoha and yellow-fronted barbet. Adding cultural depth to the visit, the Buduruwayaya ruins lie in the park’s southwest, featuring a reclining Buddha statue and stone pillars from the 2nd Century AD. Though accommodation is limited in the immediate area, access is possible from Kandy or nearby hotels, and the remote location means you’ll likely explore the park without the crowds.
