Lahugala Kitulana National Park

Lahugala Kitulana National Park is a small national park in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province that protects dry-zone forest, scrub and the Lahugala reservoir. It is recognized for its wildlife, particularly Asian elephants and resident birdlife.

The park’s landscape centers on the reservoir and surrounding woodlands where animals gather, and it offers short wildlife viewing drives and walks. Visitors commonly seek sightings of elephants and waterbirds at reservoir edges and nearby clearings.

The area was designated to conserve the reservoir watershed and the associated dry-zone species and habitats. Management aims to maintain habitat for large mammals and local biodiversity.

Lahugala Kitulana lies inland from Sri Lanka’s southeastern coast in the Eastern Province near the town of Lahugala, within a predominantly dry lowland zone of scrub and forest.

• Elephant viewing: Known for regular sightings of wild elephants at the reservoir margins, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.
• Best season: Best visited during the dry season when wildlife concentrates around remaining water sources and roads are more accessible.

What to See #

• Lahugala reservoir: The Lahugala reservoir is the park's principal waterbody and an important attractor for elephants and waterbirds, with shoreline vantage points for wildlife viewing.