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Why Visit Maduru Oya National Park?

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Why Visit Maduru Oya National Park?
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Designated a national park in November 1983, Maduru Oya National Park in Sri Lanka is designed to protect the immediate catchments of five reservoirs developed under the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Programme. Providing a refuge for a wide variety of wildlife, the park is best known for its herds of Asian elephants.

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    • Overview
    • Bundala National Park
    • Flood Plains National Park
    • Gal Oya National Park
    • Horton Plains National Park
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Located in the Ampara, Badulla and Polonnaruwa Provinces, the park lies to the central-eastern side of the country. It is best reached from Polonnaruwa or Batticaloa on the east coast.

The most dominant physical feature of Maduru Oya National Park is the 8km long range of rocky mountains found towards the southwest of the park. The characteristic red soil, which covers the entirety of this 58,850-hectare area, supports a variety of dry-zone vegetation, with the climax community of the area being tropical, dry mixed evergreen forest. Despite the existence of climax communities, a major part of the park has seen heavy exploitation for shifting cultivation in the past. This has resulted in areas of secondary vegetation and vast stretches of open plains dominated by grasses such as iluk and guinea grass. A large plantation of teak is included in the northeastern part of the park, despite not being a native species.

The park is significant for its rich wildlife, which includes a variety of endemic species. Mammals to be found within the park include, but are not limited to, the Asian elephant, sloth bear, leopard and water buffalo. Slender loris, toque macaque, grey langur, golden jackal and fishing cat are also present. As with many of Sri Lanka’s water dominated parks, Maduru Oya enjoys a rich aquatic avifauna with painted storks, the white-bellied sea-eagle and grey pelican all present. Noteworthy forest-dwelling birds found here include the common tailor-bird, shama and black hooded oriole.

As with the rest of the country, Maduru Oya holds areas of ancient cultural significance, namely in the form of ruins at Henanigala, Kudawila, Gurukumbura, Uluketangoda, Werapokuna and at several other places where one can find ancient Buddhist shrines, temples, dagobas, statues and hermitages from various eras in Sri Lanka’s long history. Early Brahmin inscriptions, believed to be ageing from the 1st to the 3rd Century BC have been discovered at Kandegamakanda. The park is also situated in an area previously occupied by the Veddhas. These aborigines, numbering less than 1,000 people, are believed to have descended from King Vijaya and Queen Kuweni, and they were present in Sri Lanka long before the arrival of the Sinhalese in 543 BC.

Reached hotels in Batticaloa, Pasikudah or Polonnaruwa, Maduru Oya is best visited for a full day trip. We recommend visiting from March to September, when the dry season brings the wildlife out of the bush and to the water points, allowing easy viewing.

 

Selected Wildlife Holiday Ideas:

Sri Lanka's Big Mammals

Sri Lanka's Big Mammals

Calling wildlife enthusiasts. Travel off-the-beaten-track with expert guides in search of elephants, leopards, whales and far more.

Birdlife and Natural Wealth of Sri Lanka

Birdlife and Natural Wealth of Sri Lanka

This holiday is ideal for those who love nature, especially birdlife. Visit the beautiful rainforests, coast, and wetlands of Sri Lanka.

Nature Trails and Cultural Tales

Nature Trails and Cultural Tales

Unique two-day walking trail in the hills with an off-the-beaten-track safari and Sri Lanka's ancient cultural sites.

Natural & Wild Sri Lanka

Natural & Wild Sri Lanka

Enjoy the incredible wildlife of animals without missing the astonishing scenery, glorious beaches and local life.


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  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Borneo
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • Holidays in Sri Lanka
    • Essential Holidays
    • Family Holidays
    • Sri Lanka & Maldives Holidays
    • Luxury Holidays
    • Slow Holidays
    • Nature & Wildlife Holidays
    • Immersive Holidays
  • Guide to Sri Lanka
    • Sri Lanka Guide
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Sri Lanka Travel Blog
  • Places in Sri Lanka
    • Regions of Sri Lanka
      • Overview
      • The Cultural Triangle
      • Colombo, Negombo & Around
      • Kandy and Around
      • The Hill Country
      • West Coast Beaches
      • Galle and Around
      • The South Coast
      • Puttalam & the North West
      • The East Coast
      • Jaffna & The North
    • National Parks & Sancturaries
      • Overview
      • Bundala National Park
      • Flood Plains National Park
      • Gal Oya National Park
      • Horton Plains National Park
      • Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
      • Kumana National Park (Yala East)
      • Lahugala National Park
      • Lunugamvehera National Park
      • Maduru Oya National Park
      • Minneriya National Park
      • Somawathiya National Park
      • The Knuckles Range
      • The Sinharaja Rainforest
      • Udawalawe National Park
      • Wasgamuwa National Park
      • Wilpattu National Park
      • Yala National Park
  • About us
    • Why choose ETG?
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Team
    • Reviews
    • In the Press
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    • Get in touch
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
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  • Immersive Holidays
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    • Download Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
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