Lahugala National Park Safari

Inland from Arugam Bay and 16 kilometres west of Pottuvil, sits the small wildlife park of Lahugala National Park. The Pottuvil- Monaragala trunk road passes through the south east side of the park. The park consists of Lahugala Tank and amazing topographical landscapes of evergreen forests with rosewood and satinwood trees. Even though it is one of the smallest parks in the island, it is popular for its elephants since it is part of the protected ‘Elephant Corridor’ for the elephant population to move freely across the south-eastern part of the island started by the Government as a part of its nature and wild life conservation project. Over 150 elephants gather around the tank during the months of July and August. The main reason for many elephants inhabiting in this park is due to the availability of beru grass in which the elephants feed on. During the monsoon seasons, the elephants migrate back to their regular habitats. Apart from elephants, the park is also home to endemic toque macaque, common languor, sloth bear, jackal, rusty spotted cat, fishing cat, leopard, wild bear, Indian muntjac, spotted deer, sambar, pangolin and black napped hare.
The Lahugala tank is also good for bird watching since there are a variety of migratory and aquatic birds such as white egret, pelican, purple heron, painted stork, lesser adjutant stork, white bellied sea eagle, grey headed fishing eagle, common kingfisher, stork billed kingfisher and white breasted kingfisher. Endemic comb duck, rare red-faced malkoha and Sri Lankan Spur fowl also can be seen the park.
Although the park is not officially open to the public as in vehicles are not allowed within the premises, one can walk into the park from the main road and go to recommended viewpoints to stay safe from elephants. A recommended and secure point would be at the edge of the tank which is close to the Lahugala hospital.