Kaudulla National Park, Sri Lanka

Close to Polonnaruwa

Distance from Colombo: 190km
Entrance: 6km off the Habarana - Trincomalee road at Gal Oya junction
Access to the the park: 3 hour trip from Habarana
The trip: a guest house trip from one of the hotel/guest houses at Habarana (1st choice in terms of distance as well as in terms of accommodation).
Size of the park: 6656 ha elephant corridor between Somawathiya Chaitya (Stupa) and Minneriya National Park.
Main feature of the park: Kaudulla ancient man made lake was built by the sister of great tank builder King Mahasena (276-303 AD). We can enjoy a catamaran boat ride in the tank.
Other tanks: Kaudulla National Park also includes Relapanawa Tank, Olumadu Wewa, Puliyan KallaWewa, Minneriya-Kanthale Yoda Ela (Jaya Ganga), Aluth Oya & Hathara Kotuwa Oya.
Wetlands: two thirds of the park is under water during several month of the year.
The terrain of the park: semi-mixed evergreen grassland and riverine forest. Catchment area to Kaudulla tank.
Best time to visit: August to December.
Main draw: herds of elephants up to 250, mainly in the month of October.
Mammals: leopards, fishing cats, sambar deer, the endangered rusty spotted cat, sloth bear.
Birds: cormorants, painted storks and many other species.
Transmigration of elephants of Kaudulla National Park: Wasgomuwa National Park (Close to Polonnaruwa) & Minneriya National Park (Close to Polonnaruwa).

A park designed with the elephant in mind, Kaudulla provides a measure of protection not just for that single species, but for a host of others be they scaled or feathered, leafy or hairy. It is an important piece in the region's conservation puzzle, slotting into an existing network of parks and protected areas planned with the hope that they can allow Sri Lanka's bountiful natural heritage to not just survive, but flourish, now and in the days ahead.

Not too far from Deer Park Hotel, the Kaudulla National Park allows you to get close to the animals. Watch cats fish, and see if you can spot the endangered Rusty Spotted Cat. Migrating elephants pass through the park between August and December.

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Kaudulla National Park, Sri Lanka