Wasgamuwa is a quiet, less-travelled national park known for its peaceful elephant encounters. Located near Polonnaruwa, it offers undisturbed safaris in a lush landscape of rivers, forests and grasslands. Ideal for nature lovers, birdwatchers and travellers seeking a wild, off grid experience far from tourist crowds.

• Remote and uncrowded elephant habitat
• Great for birdwatchers and nature lovers
• Home to rare sloth bears, too
• Safari jeeps limited, no congestion
• Beautiful rivers, forests and open plains
• Ideal for off the beaten path travellers

Wasgamuwa National Park, located near Polonnaruwa, is one of Sri Lanka’s most peaceful and least commercialized national parks. Known for its quiet safaris and rich biodiversity, it’s ideal for travellers who want a raw, intimate connection with nature, without the traffic of more popular parks.

The park is home to a healthy population of wild elephants, especially visible during the dry season from May to September. Unlike in busier reserves, here elephants are often seen crossing rivers, feeding by the roadside or wandering through forest clearings, all in a setting where you might be the only jeep in sight.

Wasgamuwa is also known for its birdwatching. With over 140 species, including painted storks, jungle fowl and white bellied sea eagles, it’s a haven for wildlife photographers and twitchers alike. Occasionally, lucky visitors may even spot the elusive sloth bear or leopard.

Sri Lanka Tailor-Made recommends Wasgamuwa to adventurers, researchers and solitude seekers looking for Sri Lanka’s wild, undisturbed side. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most magical encounters happen when you leave the map behind and let the forest set the pace.