Angammedilla National Park

Angamedilla National park is run by the Department of Wild Life Conservation and is to the North of Wasgamuwa Park. In fact it is separated by Wasgamuwa by the Amban Ganga. Bordered on the East by Parakrama Samudraya, the Angamedialla Canal which carries water to Parakrama Samudraya starts just a few hundred meters away from the Wildlife Department office within the park boundaries. It is called the 'Raja Bemma' (රජ බැම්ම) and creates a great spot to have a nice bath (some places could be a bit rough and dangerous).

It is a nice place to chill and relax; very peaceful. Non of the rush and Jeep traffic you'd see at the entrance of Yala, or any kind of traffic for that matter. The reason being there isn't much wild live to observe. However, it is well worth the trip.Specially if you want to get some peace and quiet.

Raja Bemma

 

Getting to the park from Colombo, you could either get on to the Kandalama Road (B615) from Dambulla or go through Elahera. To go through Elahera you'd have to turn off from Kurunegala (on to B264) or a few kilometers passing Kurunegala on to B409 and find you way to the A9 road. Either way you'll come to Bakamuna, and take the Elahera Road thereonwards. This road is a Beautiful road that goes parallel to the Elahera Minneriya Yoda Ela and is an Awesome road to drive along.You'll have to turn off to the right from where it is shown in the map below. The roads there-onwards is a bit confusing but you can seek help from Google maps and locals. And as I mentioned before once you enter the park boundaries you'll still have to travel about 2KM to reach the Wildlife Office.

Elahera Road

Angammedilla Wildlife Bungalow

 We stayed at the Bungalow closeby to the entrance. The entrance itself is a couple of kilometers into the park if you come in Eastbound from the Dambulla side. There is a camping site a few kilometers in to the park which is on the shores of a beautiful small reservoir. We traveled from the bungalow to the camp site with 7 people packed in to a Toyota Caldina (affectionately known as Ted). But ofcause the Caldina has good ground clearance and is a very hardy vehicle. Cannot guarantee that a normal car would survive such a trip without damage. However, I doubt this would be possible in rainy season when the park gets muddy.

 

Near the Camp Site

At the Camp Site

 

Another great way to make the most out of a trip to Angamedilla is to take the road which falls along the bund of the Parakrama Samudra to enter the Pollonnaruwa Ancient City from its back doors. This is a well worth trip to make since you'll get the chance to see some Iconic Ancient monuments including the Pothgul Viharaya.

Parakrama Samudra