Explore the Serenity of Somawathiya National Park
Discover the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Somawathiya National Park, a must-visit destination for nature lovers in Sri Lanka.
A brief summary to Somawathiya National Park
- 5695+P44, Gangapahalavila, LK
- +94717693562
Somawathiya National Park is a breathtaking expanse of natural beauty located in Sri Lanka, renowned for its rich biodiversity and tranquil environment. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, deer, and numerous bird species, making it a perfect spot for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. Visitors can embark on guided safaris or leisurely walks along the well-marked trails, offering opportunities to observe the vibrant flora and fauna in their natural habitat. The lush greenery and serene water bodies create a picturesque backdrop, ideal for a day of exploration and relaxation. In addition to its natural allure, Somawathiya National Park holds significant cultural importance. The park is home to the historic Somawathiya Temple, which is a sacred site for many pilgrims. This ancient temple, dedicated to the relics of the Buddha, adds a spiritual dimension to the park, attracting both tourists and devotees. Visitors can marvel at the intricate architecture and immerse themselves in the peaceful ambiance of the temple grounds. For those seeking adventure, the park offers various activities including bird watching, hiking, and photography. Each season brings a unique charm to Somawathiya, from the vibrant colors of blooming flowers in spring to the lush greenery after the monsoon rains. With no entrance fee and open access year-round, Somawathiya National Park is an accessible gem for tourists wishing to experience the unspoiled beauty of Sri Lanka's natural landscapes.
Local tips
- Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon for the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
- Bring binoculars for bird watching; the park is home to many unique species.
- Don't forget sunscreen and plenty of water, especially if you're planning to hike.
- Respect local wildlife; maintain a safe distance and avoid feeding animals.
- Take time to explore the Somawathiya Temple; it’s a beautiful site with significant historical value.
Getting There
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Car
From Wilpattu National Park, head east on the A12 road towards Puttalam. Continue on the A12 for approximately 30 kilometers until you reach the town of Anuradhapura. Keep an eye out for the sign indicating the turn to the A9 highway. Merge onto the A9 and drive for about 75 kilometers. Take the exit towards the A25 road. Follow the A25 for about 20 kilometers until you reach the town of Gangapahalavila. The entrance to Somawathiya National Park will be marked along this route.
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Public Transportation
From Wilpattu National Park, you will first need to travel to Anuradhapura. Take a local bus from a nearby bus station to Anuradhapura (this journey will take approximately 1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic). Once in Anuradhapura, find a bus heading towards Trincomalee and get off at Gangapahalavila. The bus fare will typically be around 100-200 LKR. From the bus stop, you can either walk or take a tuk-tuk to the entrance of Somawathiya National Park, which is just a few kilometers away.
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Taxi or Tuk-Tuk
If you prefer a more direct route without public transport, you can hire a taxi or tuk-tuk from Wilpattu National Park to Somawathiya National Park. This will be more expensive, costing around 4000-6000 LKR depending on your negotiation skills and the type of vehicle you choose. The driver will take you directly to Somawathiya National Park, which should take about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Attractions Nearby to Somawathiya National Park
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Mavil Aru Anicut
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Medirigiriya Vatadageya (මැදිරිගිරිය වටදාගෙය)
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Seruwawila Rajamaha Viharaya | සේරුවාවිල රජ මහා විහාරය
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ලංකාපටුන මෝය | Lankapatuna Estuary இலங்கைத்துறைமுகத்துவாரம்
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Lotus Pond (Nelum pokuna II (නෙළුම් පොකුණ II))
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Thivanka Image House
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Lotus Pond (Ancient Nelum Pokuna)
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Manampitiya Bridge මනම්පිටිය පාලම மன்னம்பிட்டி பாலம்
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Higurakgoda Clock Tower හිගුරක්ගොඩ ඔරලෝසු කණුව
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Uththararamaya (Gal Vihara)
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Kiri Vehera
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Lanka Thilaka Temple
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Lankatilaka Temple
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Kuda Gal Viharaya
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Alahana Pirivena
Landmarks nearby to Somawathiya National Park
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Old Building / ඉපැරණි ගොඩනැගිලි පාදම
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Historical Human Settlement / ඉපැරණි ජනාවාස ස්ථානය
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Serunuwara Clock Tower-සේරුනුවර ඔරලෝසු කණුව
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அருள்மிகு வெருகலம்பதி சித்திரவேலாயுத சுவாமி தேவஸ்தானம் திருக்கோணமலை | Verugal Murugan temple,Thirukkonamalai
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Recline Image House
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Pullaiyar Adi
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Pashana Pabbatha Rajamaha Viharaya
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Historical Building / ඉපෑරණි ගොඩනැගි පාදම
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Old sluice gate / ඉපැරණි සොරොව්ව
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Metal leaching place / ලෝහ නිස්සාරණ ස්ථානය
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Land with Prehistoric Constituents / ප්රාග් ඓතිහාසික සාධක සහිත බිම
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Flood Plains National Park
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Demela Mahaseya Pagoda
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පාද කැටයම
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Uttararama -die vier Statuen