This site can be reached from Colombo on the following routes.

1. Colombo – Kandy – Raja Mawatha – Mahiyangana – Wilgamuwa – Park entrance.
2. Colombo – Kandy – Matale – Riverston – Hettipola – Wilgamuwa – Park entrance. (6 hours)

3. The accelerated Mahaveli Development Project resulted in the clearing of vast areas of forest and thus depriving many species of wild life of its homelands. This park was established the conserve the bio diversity of this area thus effected by this project. It was declared as a National Park in August 1984 and the total area of the park is 33,766 hectares. The vegetation is tropical dry mixed evergreen forest with large open plains. The dense forest cover, the hilly ridges such as the “sudukanda” range and well-developed riverine forests make this park an important locality for avifauna. There are camp sites as well as bungalows in side the park which have to be pre-booked at the DWLC office in Colombo.

4. Birds to look for

   Red-faced Malkoha, Blue –faced Malkoha, Red winged Crested Cuckoo, Ceylon Trogon, Indian Cuckoo, Drongo Cuckoo, Indian Pitta, White-necked & Painted Stork, Striated & Baya Weavers, Crested Serpent & Crested Hawk Eagles, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Forest Eagle Owl, brown Fish Owl, Little Scops Owl, Paradise Flycatcher, Thick-billed Flowerpecker.