Yala Block 6, also known as Lunugamwehera National Park, is an excellent alternative to the busier Block 1 of Yala National Park, offering a serene and less commercialized safari experience. Located west of the main Yala sector, Lunugamwehera National Park (also known as Yala Block 6) features lush forests, lakes, and open plains that support diverse wildlife including elephants, leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife. With fewer vehicles and tourists, sightings feel more authentic and undisturbed. It's ideal for those seeking solitude, photography opportunities, and a deeper connection with nature. If you value peaceful wilderness over crowds and traffic, Yala Block 6 (Lunugamwehera National Park) provides a truly enriching and uncrowded wildlife safari experience. Following are the day safari jeep tours in we offer in Lunugamwehera NP (Yala Block 6).
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From $58 USD
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Immerse yourself in the wild with the Lunugamvehera National Park & Yala Block 5 Safari Experience, a perfect blend of nature, adventure, and relaxation. Choose to stay for two nights at either the cozy Kataragama Guest House or the elegant Grand Tamarind Lake Hotel Kataragama, both offering comfortable accommodation and warm hospitality.
Begin your safari adventure early at 6 AM, venturing into the rich wilderness of Lunugamvehera National Park and Yala Block 5 National Park. Encounter incredible wildlife including elephants, leopards, and a variety of exotic birds, while soaking in the stunning landscapes of Sri Lanka’s natural heritage.
Explore the Wild Frontier of Lunugamwehera National Park, also known as Yala Block 6: A Safari Off the Beaten Track with Experienced Jeep Drivers.
Yala National Park is famed for its wildlife and dramatic landscapes, and while most travelers head to Yala Block 1 or occasionally to Yala Block 5, few venture into the lesser-known Yala Block 6, also known as Lunugamwehera National Park. For those seeking an off-the-beaten-path safari, Lunugamwehera National Park offers an extraordinary experience—wild, remote, and serene. Spanning over 24,000 hectares and forming a vital ecological link between Yala and Udawalawe National Parks, Lunugamwehera is an emerging hotspot for wildlife enthusiasts looking for a truly authentic Sri Lankan safari experience.
With our expert-led jeep safaris in Lunugamwehera National Park, we invite you to discover this hidden wilderness. Our experienced and knowledgeable Lunugamwehera National Park safari drivers guide you through dense forest tracks, open grasslands, and around scenic reservoirs to spot elusive leopards, majestic elephants, sloth bears, and a diverse range of birdlife. Here, the wild feels wilder, and every encounter is more personal.
Why Choose Lunugamwehera National Park for Your Safari?
Lunugamwehera National Park remains one of Sri Lanka’s best-kept wildlife secrets. With its low tourist density, vast untamed terrain, and excellent wildlife potential, it offers a raw and peaceful alternative to the busier sectors of Yala.
Lunugamwehera National Park was established primarily to protect the Lunugamwehera reservoir and the surrounding catchment area. It also acts as a wildlife corridor between Yala and Udawalawe, allowing the free movement of animals, especially elephants. The landscape here is lush and diverse, comprising dry monsoon forests, grasslands, marshes, and large bodies of water—ideal habitats for a wide range of species.
Unlike the more commercialized sections of Yala, in Lunugamwehera National Park you can enjoy the rare luxury of solitude. Jeep traffic is minimal, making for a more immersive and tranquil safari. It's ideal for serious wildlife lovers, photographers, and travelers who value exclusivity and authenticity.
Lunugamwehera National Park The Safari Experience: Led by Skilled Jeep Drivers
Your adventure in Lunugamwehera National Park is only as good as the guide leading it—and that’s where we truly excel. Our jeep safaris in Lunugamwehera National Park are operated by experienced local drivers who know this lesser-visited region intimately. Many of them have grown up in the surrounding communities and have been navigating these forest trails for years.
They are not only skilled drivers but also passionate trackers and wildlife spotters. They read the land—animal tracks, alarm calls, broken branches, waterhole patterns—and combine this knowledge with up-to-date information from local ranger networks to maximize your chances of memorable sightings during your safari in Lunugamwehera National Park.
Our jeeps are custom-built for safaris—open-sided and elevated, providing excellent visibility and ideal conditions for photography. Whether you're hoping for that perfect leopard shot or just want to immerse yourself in the natural rhythms of the forest, our vehicles and guides are designed to deliver a high-quality, low-impact experience.
Wildlife Encounters in Lunugamwehera National Park
Leopards
Though harder to spot than in Yala Block 1 due to denser forest cover, Lunugamwehera is still home to a healthy population of Sri Lankan leopards. The low traffic and large territories mean they are more relaxed and behave more naturally. With patience, skill, and a bit of luck, it’s possible to have rare, undisturbed sightings.
Elephants
Lunugamwehera is particularly important for elephant conservation. The park serves as a corridor for elephants moving between Yala and Udawalawe. Herds are often spotted around the Lunugamwehera reservoir, especially during the dry months, making this one of the best places to see wild elephants in peaceful settings.
Sloth Bears
Shy and elusive, the sloth bear occasionally makes an appearance here, particularly when Palu fruit is in season. These sightings are rare but unforgettable—made possible by our skilled drivers who know the favorite haunts and seasonal habits of these animals.
Birdlife
For birdwatchers, Lunugamwehera is a hidden paradise. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded, including raptors like the crested hawk-eagle, waterbirds such as painted storks and cormorants, and forest dwellers like the Malabar pied hornbill and Sri Lanka grey hornbill. The park’s varied habitats attract both migratory and resident birds, offering year-round birdwatching opportunities.
Other Mammals and Reptiles
Jackals, spotted deer, wild boar, fishing cats, mugger crocodiles, and monitor lizards are all commonly seen in Block 6. The dense forest and proximity to water provide ideal environments for a wide variety of wildlife.
What Sets our Lunugamwehera Safaris Apart
Expert Local Drivers: Our guides are handpicked for their experience, skills, and knowledge of Lunugamwehera National Park’s unique terrain and wildlife behavior.
Private Jeep Safaris: Your safari is tailor-made—no crowds, no rush. Just you, your driver, and the wild.
Eco-conscious Operation: We follow all park regulations, maintain safe distances from wildlife, and operate under a strict "leave no trace" policy.
Flexible Timing: Choose between morning safari in Lunugamwehera National Park, afternoon safari in Lunugamwehera National Park, or full-day safari in Lunugamwehera National Park. Our full-day trips include rest breaks near water bodies with beautiful scenery.
Access to Untouched Areas: Lunugamwehera National Park has some of the least-disturbed safari trails in Sri Lanka. Our drivers have the permits and expertise to take you deep into its most rewarding zones.
Best Time to Visit Lunugamwehera
The dry season from May to September is the best time to visit Lunugamwehera National Park, as animals congregate around water sources, making sightings more frequent and reliable. The park remains relatively dry and accessible, with good road conditions for off-road vehicles.
That said, Lunugamwehera National Park is open year-round, and even during the shoulder seasons, it can offer fantastic sightings with far fewer tourists. Just be mindful that heavy rains from October to December can make some parts temporarily inaccessible.
A Responsible and Sustainable Safari
We believe that wild places must be protected for future generations—and tourism, when done right, can help. All our safaris are operated with strict attention to sustainability, safety, and respect for nature. We never leave designated tracks, avoid crowding animals, and never encourage drivers to chase or disturb wildlife for better views.
We also support local employment, hiring jeep drivers, guides, and coordinators from the surrounding villages. Your safari helps fund livelihoods and builds awareness about the importance of conservation. By choosing to explore Lunugamwehera National Park with us, you're also helping preserve one of Sri Lanka’s most pristine wildlife habitats.
Summary
Lunugamwehera National Park (Yala Block 6) is a rare gem—wild, uncrowded, and rich with life. It’s a park where you won’t see dozens of jeeps jostling for the same view, but instead, you’ll feel like you have the forest to yourself. Whether you’re tracking leopards in the golden light of dawn or watching elephants graze by the reservoir at dusk, Lunugamwehera offers moments of connection with nature that are hard to find elsewhere.
With our experienced jeep drivers in Lunugamwehera National Park, ethical approach, and deep love for the land, we’re ready to guide you through this lesser-known wonder of Sri Lanka’s wilderness. If you’re seeking a safari that’s raw, real, and deeply rewarding, Yala Block 6 is calling.
Book your Lunugamwehera National Park safari with us today—and let the wild welcome you.
Lunugamvehera National park is situated near Yala National Park and stretches for around 24,000 hectares and its porpoise is protection for elephants migrating from Yala to Udawalawe National Park. Lunugamvehera is home for large number of wild elephants and buffaloes.
Lunugmawehera National Park is situated in dry zone near Thanamawila and it is close proximity to Yala National Park.
Lunungamwehera national park was declared as a national park in 1995. It consists of two blocks Block 5 and Block 6. Lunugamvehera National Park protects the immediate catchment area of the Lunugamvehera reservoir, serving as a link between the Yala Protected Area Complex to its east and Udawalawe National Park to its west, facilitating the ranging of Asian elephants to and from areas such as Haldummula and Koslanda in Uva Province and the southern region of Sri Lanka.
21 fish species, 12 amphibians, 33 reptiles, 184 birds and 43 mammal species have been recorded in the park. Elephants frequent the teak plantations found within the park boundary, whilst other areas are home to domestic feral and wild buffalo and palm squirrel, giant squirrel, porcupine, palm cat wild boar, mouse deer and spotted deer. Sloth bear and leopardare present but found in low densities. Apart from these animals you can find fishing cat, grey mongoose and lots of other animals.
The Park, being a dry zone forest records temperature close to 30 degrees centigrade with rain between November and January each year making the park suitable for visiting all year round.
Lunungamwehera NP is situated 261 km southwest from Colombo, It is situated in Monaragala in Uva Province and it’s located in the dry zone. Park is exposed to annual drought and it’s relieved by south west monsoon.
There are two main access points to Lunugamvehera National Park.The entrance to the park is located on the Hambantota-Wellawaya road near Thanamalwila and the other entrance is from the Galge on Sella Kataragama – Buttala Road. This entrance is more suitable to access the Veheragala Reservoir or the Ruins. There is very little traffic from this entrance since most prefer Yala over this National Park but this area too is filled with wildlife.
Lunungamwehera National Park is open daily from 6:00 am in the morning to 6:00 pm in the evening.
There are three main Safari times in Lunugamvehera National Park
• The Lunugamvehera Morning Safari – from 6:00 am in the morning to 10:00 am in the morning.
• The Lunungamwehera Afternoon Safari – from 2:30 pm in the afternoon to 6:00 pm in the evening.
• The Lunungamwehera Full day safari – from 6:00am in the morning to 6:00 pm in the evening.
The safari would take place with an experienced guide in specially modified comfortable jeeps for unique safari experience.
There is no special time to visit Lunungamwehera National Park and you can visit it all year around. From May to September the south west monsoons hits the park so at these time there will be showers from time to time inside the park.
There are few tips you should follow when going on a safari in Lunungawehera National Park
• Bring a good binocular
• Zoom Lens
• Good Camera
• Khaki or light colored cotton garments to wear
• Plenty of water
Lunugamvehera located in the Monaragala district in the Uva Province, is 261 km from Colombo and is accessible via Tissamaharama in the Southern province or via Kalawana in the Sabaragamuwa province. The Park was established in 1995 with the intent of establishing an important catchment area for the Lunugamvehera Reservoir and as a sanctuary for the wildlife in the area. The park also acts as an elephant corridor between the Yala National Park on the east and the Udawalawe National Park on the west, facilitating the animals to move from one to the other, in addition to providing a favourable habitat for Elephants coming from the nearby Uva and Southern regions, making it a preferred destination for Elephant sighting.The Park with a dry mixed dense evergreen forest is made up mainly of Weera, Pallu, Teak, Eucalyptus, Kon amongst others, vast expanses of grasslands and scrublands, in total covering an extent of 23,498 ha of which 3,283 ha is occupied by the Lunugamvehera reservoir. The park is rich in biodiversity and is a favaourable habitat for large herds of Elephants, Wild Buffalo in addition to 43 species of mammals such as Wild Boar, Sambar deer, Spotted deer, Sri Lankan Axis deer, Fishing cat, Asian Palm civet, Grey mongoose, Grizzled Giant squirrel, Sloth bear and Mouse deer. The park is also home to 21 species of fish, 12 amphibians and 33 species of reptiles.
The reservoir and other water bodies in the park welcome thousands of water birds; nearly 200 species, both endemic and migratory who have made it a popular nesting and breeding ground. Some of the bird species found here include Jungle fowl, Sri Lanka Woodshrike, Chestnut headed bee-eater, Blue Faced malkoha, Sri Lanka Brown capped Babbler, Spot-Billed pelican, Malabar Pied hornbill, Grey heron, Black headed ibis, Painted stork, White-necked stork, and Marshall's iora, Asian openbill, Jungle owlet, Barred bustard quail, Indian peafowl, Crested hawk eagle, Crested serpent eagle, White-bellied sea eagle, Indian roller, Grey-Headed fish eagle, Indian pitta amongst other dry zone birds. The Park, being a dry zone forest records temperature close to 30 degrees centigrade with rain between November and January each year making the park suitable for visiting all year round.
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