Lunugamvehera National Park
With an area of 23,500ha, Lunugamvehera is one of Sri Lanka’s few unspoiled national parks. The Lunugamvehera Reservoir occupies a substantial portion of the park. The region was designated as a national park in 1995 to safeguard the catchment area of the Lunugamvehera reservoir as well as the local species.
The park is rich in biodiversity and serves as a home for a huge number of wild elephants, buffaloes, and water birds. This national park also serves as an elephant corridor. Other mammals found here include the Fishing Cat, Grey Mongoose, Bear, Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, and Mouse Deer.
Additional information
Nearby Attractions
The most popular nearby attraction
- Udawalawe National Park
- Kataragama Historical Shrine (32km)
- Kirinda Beach
- Yala National Park
Udawalawe National Park is Sri Lanka’s third most visited park. The park is one of the best sites in Sri Lanka to witness Asian elephants in the wild. There are around 500 elephants in the park, and they frequently travel in groups of up to 100 elephants.
Water Buffalo, Wildboar, Sri Lankan Axis Deer, Sambur Deer, Golden Jackal, Black-naped hare, Mongooses, Bandicoots, the endemic Toque Macaque and Tufted Grey Langur, Indian Muntjac, Sri Lankan Spotted Chevrotain, Asian Palm Civets, Golden Palm Civets, Indian Bush Rat, Rusty-spotted Cat, Fishing cats, and Jungle cats. It is quite unusual to see a Leopard or a Sri Lankan Sloth Bear.
Udawalawe is a wide-open plain with a few dense jungles and teak woodland clumps.
Bundala National Park, Yala National Park, Kataragama Shrine
Distance: 32 Km
It is one of the few sacred sites in Sri Lanka that is venerated by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and the country’s indigenous people. It is a large complex that includes a Buddhist temple, a Hindu shrine, and a Mosque.
There is a river called Manik Ganga meaning the River of Gems due to the great concentration of gemstones in the early era. This river is a spiritual place where pilgrims bathe to cleanse themselves before entering the complex. Bathing in it, according to pilgrims, helps cure diseases.
Distance: 35 Km
It is a pristine white sandy beach with natural foliage that provides a calm retreat.
Kirinda’s reefs are home to two of Asia’s most well-known offshore lighthouses, which were established by the British in the 1870s on two rock formations. These historical lighthouses, known as the Great Basses Reef lighthouses, are still standing. The Great and Little Basses reefs provide some of the greatest snorkeling and diving in the country.
Distance: 36.5 Km
It is Sri Lanka’s most visited and second largest national park, covering an area of 150,937 hectares. The park is divided into 5 sections. Two of the five blocks are now open to the public. The park’s topography provides for a diverse species composition as well as good visibility. As a result, the park is quite popular. Leopards, elephants, sloth bears, sambar, spotted dear, jackals, water buffaloes, crocodiles, and peacocks may all be found in Yala. There are 215 bird species documented in the park. The park contains the world’s largest concentration of leopards per square kilometer.
The greatest time to visit Yala is between February and July, when the park’s water levels are low and animals may move freely.
Distance: 46 Km
Accommodation
Accommodation (within 10km)
- Star Classified hotels- No
- International Chain Hotels- No
- Boutique Hotels- No
- Resorts- No
- Ayurvedic Hotels- No
- Inns/Guest Houses- Yes
- Eco Hotels- No
- Camping- No
- Unclassified Hotels- Yes
* You might still find preferred accommodation in nearby cities.
Distance
Distance from (estimate)
- CMB Airport- 270km (travel time: 3hrs 45min)
- Colombo City- 266km (travel time: 3hrs 50min)
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress- 280km (travel time: 5hrs 50min)
- Anuradhapura Ancient City- 302km (travel time: 6hrs 20min)
- Polonnaruwa Ancient City- 228km (travel time: 4hrs 50min)
- Kandy City- 200km (travel time: 5hrs)
- Galle Dutch Fort- 136km (travel time: 2hrs)
* The time and distance are only given to give you an idea. There are stopovers between the two locations. The cities listed above are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
Best Time
Season
- February to October