Sri Lanka elephant safaris wild life and camping
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Udawalawe National
Park The Udawalawe National Park situated in the dry zone of the country and belonging to Sabaragamuwa & Uva provinces. The park area is 30,821 ha. The park was established in 1972. The park lies within dry zone and small segment lies within intermediate zone. The long dry season is characteristic feature. Main source of rainfall is southwest monsoon (May – September) and mean annual rainfall is about 1520mm. the mean annual temperature is around 29°C. Park consists of dry lowland forest, revering forest, thorny scrublands and grasslands. One special attraction of the park is the Udawalawe reservoir and the Walawe River which flows through the park. The main tree species found in the forest area are the satin (Chloroxylon swietenia), Milla (Vites pinata), ebony (Diospyros ebenum) and Ehala (Cassia fistula). Riverine forest dominated by Kumbuk (Terminalia arjuna) & Mandora (Hopea cordifolia). Mana (Cymbopogon confertiflorus), Illuk (Imperata cylindrica) and Daminiya (Grewia tiliaefolia) are found in grasslands & scrublands. Udawalawe National Park is world famous for its large elephant populations. In this park one can observe elephants at any given time of the day. Other than Elephants water buffalo, spotted & barking deer, wild boar, sambhur, jackal & ruddy, grey & striped necked mongoose are also found in this park. Though the leopard, jungle & fishing cats have recorded in the park sightings are very rare. The park is also famous for birdlife. Crested serpent eagle, changeable hawk eagle, white-bellied sea eagle & grey-headed fishing eagle are the main raptors found in the park. Painted stork, open bill, little & Indian cormorant, Indian darter, many species of waders are also found within the park. Among the forest birds are the warblers, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Malabar pied hornbill, Sikir Malkoha, Blue face Malkoha, common Caucal, and grey hornbill. Wasgamuwa National Park Wasgamuwa National Park was originally declared as strict nature reserve in 1938 and then change to a national park in 1984. The park lies within central and north- central provinces. The total park area is 39,322 ha. Rainfall is mainly by northeast monsoon (December – February) and inter-monsoonal rains. Mean annual rainfall varies from 1750mm in dry zone area to 2250 in intermediate zone. Mean annual temperature is around 27°C. Park consists of revering forest, dry mixed evergreen forest, grasslands and wetlands. As park is almost surrounded by Mahaweli & Amban Rivers, riverine forest area is fairly large. Flora of the park consists of Palu (Manilkara hexandra), Weera (Drypetes sepiaria), Satin (Chloroxylon swietenia), Wa (Cassia roxburghii), Gal Siyambala (Dialium ovoideum) and Ebony (Diospyros ebenum). The riverine forest dominated by Kumbuk (Terminalia arjuna), Mee (Madhuca longifoloa) and Thimbiri (Diospyros malabarica). Grasslands mainly consist of (Imperata cylindrica). Wasgamuwa is famous as an elephant habitat. These elephants are known to be less habituated to people and are more wildish. Other than elephant, leopard, sloth bear, sambhur, spotted and barking deer, wild boar and wild buffalo are also found here. Torque Macaque, Purple face leaf monkey and nocturnal slender Loris is also found in the park. Lesser Adjutant, Wooly necked stork, open bill, painted stork, Racket tailed Drongo, Yellow fronted barbet, Sri Lanka Junglefowl & Spurfowl are among the over 100 species of birds found within the park. The park consists of Montane cloud forest embedded in wet montane grasslands. There are riverine forests and pigmy forests as well. Horton Plains is reputed for its rich biodiversity. Weerawila – Tissa Sanctuary This dry zone sanctuary is mainly comprises with three lakes namely, Weerawila wewa, Debara wewa and Pannagamuwa wewa. Yodha wewa and Tissa wewa are another two lakes, which located little far away from above three lakes. All these lakes are act as ideal habitats for shorebirds. Since they are situated close to south coast and Bundala National Park, which is the south most destination of the migratory birds of Sri Lanka lot of migratory birds also can be seen here. Egrets, Cormorants, Asian Openbill, White Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill and many winter migrants can be seen here. Being the most prominent water resources in the area these tanks attracts considerable number of animals during the dry season. However the most common animal of the area is feral Buffalos. Udawattakele Sanctuary This is a trek of rainforest rich in species that has enjoyed protection from historical times. It supports many species of bird life. Some of the common birds are Layard’s Parakeet, Gold-fronted and Blue-winged Leafbirds, Spotted and Emerald Doves, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Yellow-fronted, Crimson-fronted and Brown-headed barbrts and Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher. Knuckles National Heritage Wilderness Area Visit the Knuckles Mountain Range, which is so named due to its formation, which resembles the knuckles of a clenched fist. They loom 6,112 feet above the Dumbara Valley. The scenic beauty of the area itself is invaluable with undulating grasslands and mist-covered mountains. There are 5 major forest types at different elevations including fascinating pygmy forests (where trees are about 1.5m in height). Many species of endemic flora and fauna live within these varied habitats. More than 50% of trees are endemic to country and dominated by Callophyllum species. You can see sambhur, wild boar, deer and even leopard in this area. This is a home for over 100 species of birds including royal Black Eagle and endemic dusky-blue Flycatcher and Sri Lankan wood pigeon. Diversity and endemicity among amphibians and reptiles are so high and this is the only place in the world to see endemic horned lizard (Ceratophora tennenti) and endemic frog (Nannophrys marmorata). 
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