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Lunugamvehera (Yala Block VI) National Park, located in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province, is an important dry-zone wildlife sanctuary that serves as a natural bridge between Yala and Udawalawe National Parks. Established in 1995, it protects over 23,000 hectares of scrub forests, grasslands, and the large Lunugamvehera Reservoir, which attracts a variety of wildlife. The park is especially significant for elephant movement, acting as a key ecological corridor during their seasonal migrations. While it is less crowded than other major parks, Lunugamvehera offers a quiet and untouched wilderness experience with elephants, deer, sloth bears, occasional leopards, and rich birdlife thriving around the water bodies.
Rich birdlife, especially around the Lunugamvehera Reservoir:
The best time for a safari in Lunugamvehera National Park is during the dry season, from May to September, when water sources are limited and wildlife, especially elephants, deer, and other mammals, congregate around the Lunugamvehera Reservoir, and man-made water ponds making sightings easier. A morning safari between 6:00 AM and 10.00 AM is ideal, as animals are most active and the cooler temperatures make for a comfortable and scenic experience, with excellent lighting for photography. Evening safaris from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM are also rewarding, as elephants and other animals return to water sources and the park offers beautiful sunset views. Combining both morning and evening safaris during the dry season provides the best overall wildlife experience.
Lunugamvehera National Park is primarily accessed through its main entrance located near Thanamalwila, which serves as the official gateway for visitors. This entrance provides direct access to the park’s major safari routes, including those leading toward the Lunugamvehera Reservoir, where much of the wildlife activity is concentrated. It is the most commonly used entrance for travelers coming from Yala, Udawalawe, Hambantota, or Wellawaya, where visitors can purchase entry tickets and arrange for guides or safari vehicles if needed.
Lunugamvehera National Park (Block VI) can also be accessed through Yala Block V Galge entrance, as both block V and Block VI are adjacent parks without any restrictions to cross. Ticket counter is available at the gate but jeeps should be booked in advance as this entrance has very limited jeeps at the gate.
In addition to the main entrance, the park does have a few secondary or service entrances, but these are used mainly by park staff, research teams, or for wildlife monitoring purposes. These minor access points are not open for visitors and do not provide facilities for ticketing or vehicle entry. For visitors, the Thanamalwila entrance remains the only practical and recommended point of entry, ensuring safe access, proper registration, and the best start to a safari experience.
| Bungalow Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Thalgahadigana Bungalow | Inside Lunugamvehera NP (Yala Block 6 area) |
| Maha Galwewa Bungalow | Inside Lunugamvehera NP, interior forest area |
Lunugamvehera National Park stands out among Sri Lanka’s national parks for its role as a vital wildlife corridor linking Yala and Udawalawe, making it especially important for elephant movement, even though it receives far fewer visitors than those larger parks. Unlike Yala, which is famous for high-density leopard sightings and busier safari routes, Lunugamvehera offers a quieter, more untouched wilderness experience with lower wildlife visibility but a far more peaceful atmosphere with the option to spend few hours in Yala Block V area for better sightings. Compared to Udawalawe, which is one of the best places in the country to consistently see elephants at close range, Lunugamvehera’s sightings are more seasonal and centered around the reservoirs, though the landscapes are similar with dry scrub forests. In contrast to wetter, high-altitude parks like Horton Plains or Knuckles, Lunugamvehera represents the classic lowland dry zone ecosystem, with hotter weather and open plains. When compared with bird-rich Bundala, Lunugamvehera offers broader mammal diversity but fewer wetland birds. Overall, it is best suited for those who prefer a less-crowded, raw, dry-zone safari experience, with the added advantage of connecting two of Sri Lanka’s major wildlife zones.