Lunugamvehera National Park
Southern Province
About Lunugamvehera National Park
Lunugamvehera National Park exists for the elephants: declared in 1995 to protect the corridor along which herds move between Udawalawe and Yala, it wraps around the great Lunugamvehera reservoir with 235 km² of scrub, grassland, and forest. Because nearly every safari-goer in the region funnels into its famous neighbours, Lunugamvehera's tracks stay astonishingly empty - yet the wildlife is all here: elephant herds grazing the reservoir margins, buffalo wallows, crocodiles, jackals, and a strong bird list swelled by the water. Game viewing peaks in the dry months when animals concentrate near the shrinking water, and the open reservoir bed gives long, uninterrupted sightlines that even Yala rarely offers. For travellers based in Tissamaharama who want elephants without the jeep queues - or a genuinely wild-feeling afternoon to pair with a Yala morning - this is the connoisseur's choice.
Top Activities
- ✓Uncrowded elephant safaris
- ✓Reservoir-edge game viewing
- ✓Birdwatching (waterbirds and raptors)
- ✓Crocodile spotting
- ✓Combine with Yala or Udawalawe
Nearby Attractions
Travel Tips
Expect to see more elephants than jeeps - often literally.
Dry-season afternoons at the reservoir edge give the best herds.
Jeeps and trackers are arranged easily from Tissamaharama.
Quick Info
Best Time
May to September (dry season)
Weather
Hot and dry most of the year; animals concentrate at water May–September.
Estimated Daily Budget
6.3500°N, 81.2000°E
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