Wasgamuwa National Park Safari Review: Polonnaruwa Adventure Guide

Alright, so if you’re thinking of swapping ancient ruins for maybe something a little wilder during your trip near Polonnaruwa, I feel you. Wasgamuwa National Park is, actually, a really terrific choice, it gives you the chance to witness what real Sri Lankan wilderness looks like. But, you know, like with any wildlife adventure, there are things you should be aware of beforehand, right? This is basically my experience, plus the lowdown to hopefully help you make the most of it.

Getting There is Pretty Much Half the Fun

Now, if you are starting from Polonnaruwa, getting to Wasgamuwa is rather a simple affair. Most hotels and guesthouses can assist you in sorting out transportation, or, basically, you could haggle for a ride with a tuk-tuk driver – make sure you agree on a rate beforehand! The trip itself tends to take a couple of hours, is that right? And it’s actually a pretty interesting drive via little villages and lush scenery, too. This makes, really, a quite cool prelude to what you’ll experience in the park. I thought it was kinda cool to get a peek at the everyday goings-on outside the tourist areas.

Keep in mind that the roads might be a tiny bit bumpy. If you happen to get motion sickness rather easily, bringing medication may well be a really good idea. Seriously, I always do.

What Sort of Wildlife Could You Expect? Prepare to be Awed

So, the big draw at Wasgamuwa is definitely the elephants, so they’re always a treat. What I learned is that the park actually gets its name from the Sinhala word “Walas Gamuwa,” which, very loosely, means “wood of bears,” you know, though honestly, the elephants definitely steal the show these days. During the dry season, you can, actually, see decent sized herds gathering near the reservoirs, plus it’s a terrific sight! But, obviously, it’s not just about these big, grey buddies; there are all types of bird species there too, different types of monkeys, maybe even the occasional leopard, really, if you get super fortunate. Like, the guides really know what they’re talking about and will show you many other different cool animals, that’s just a small note to bear in mind. What they see on a regular basis just amazed me!

Remember though, wildlife sightings totally can’t be promised! Animals, basically, do their thing on their schedule, so enjoy what you get to see, as that’s part of what makes it magical.

Choosing Your Safari Experience Wisely

A range of half-day or maybe full-day safaris exist from Polonnaruwa, right? Deciding actually relies on what amount of time you want to spend within the park. What I did when choosing a tour operator was checking out what people say in their reviews and asking for tips from the people at my hotel. Actually, I went with a full-day trip, and I felt it provided us additional time to go deep to other corners of the park, right? So, very important! Confirm what exactly is included in the cost – the park fees, maybe lunch, beverages, or basically any additional expenses. Is it a shared jeep or a private one? Basically, if you like a quieter trip or want to really concentrate on taking photographs without lots of people in your shot, getting a private jeep could be a really good thing to think about. In addition, you actually will want to know about the guide’s expertise and communication ability in a specific language that works well for you.

What Sort of Clothes to Wear and What to Pack – Be Ready

Oh, what you bring may either make or actually break the whole experience! Wearing breathable clothes really helps because the Sri Lankan sun really has a certain intensity, as you know. It would be very wise to pack hats, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunblock, for real. Also, carrying insect repellent helps heaps, so you won’t need to worry too much regarding mosquitoes plus other biting insects, it seems. It is also usually clever to keep yourself covered a little too; think loose and long-sleeved, you know? Bringing along cameras as well as binoculars makes sure you may take quality photographs plus fully enjoy animals as they seem, particularly if they actually stay at a distance. Obviously, it may be worthwhile to carry additional water to keep well-hydrated.

Responsible Safari Etiquette: Appreciate the Wildlife

When you are inside Wasgamuwa, please keep in mind you’re truly in the animals’ habitat. So usually always maintain a respectful distance as well as by no means try and feed all of them. Please make sure you tell all of your tuk tuk/safari drivers to go slow, because sometimes they go rather too fast. Please really avoid tossing rubbish everywhere and try to be rather calm so all those animals can carry on going regarding their routines and, actually, your presence causes barely any disruptions. In addition, listening to your guide actually helps you figure out how to actually conduct yourself to assist you safeguard all those park animals and the surroundings. We have to allow all those animals to enjoy themselves in a calm setting, is that right?

When’s the Right Time To Go? Here’s a Tiny Tip

Generally, the time from May to September, typically the dry season, makes seeing big groups of elephants so, too it’s almost guaranteed around the park’s water tanks. But keep in mind, that it might be hotter then. The park continues to be beautiful any time of the year but in case there exists one creature you truly do desire to discover then definitely investigate when it happens to be best for seeing those in order to schedule. Therefore always know before you plan.

Adding Wasgamuwa Safari to Your Polonnaruwa Trip – Make it a Combo!

Very arguably, a visit to Wasgamuwa creates an awesome contrast against actually discovering each of Polonnaruwa’s ancient constructions, yet! To dedicate some mornings towards past civilizations and next an afternoon towards enjoying untamed landscapes delivers basically an exciting as well as full expertise. You’ll gain far more appreciation on Sri Lanka’s past as well as normal beauty, by combining the historic attractions using such incredible animal excursions. This tends to truly enrich the traveling plans by basically mixing both history alongside a few unique sightseeing opportunities in some way, you know?