Lahugala Kithulana National Park
One of Sri Lanka’s smallest national parks, a short drive inland from Arugam Bay, where wild elephants gather around the Lahugala tank, mostly in the dry months.
What Lahugala actually is
Lahugala Kithulana is a small national park of roughly 1,550 hectares inland from Arugam Bay. It became a sanctuary in 1966 and a national park in 1980. It is built around three shallow reservoirs, Lahugala, Kitulana and Sengamuwa, which drain into the Heda Oya.
What makes it worth knowing is the grass. Elephants are drawn to the grass that grows around the Lahugala tank, and guides say up to about 150 gather there, especially in the drier months of July and August when other water sources shrink. It is classed as dry-zone dry evergreen forest, with grassland and scrub around the tanks.
How you see it is the sticking point. Rough Guides says vehicles are not allowed in and recommends watching from the raised bund near Lahugala Hospital, while other sources describe guided jeep safaris and viewing points. Ask locally what is currently allowed.
Worth your attention
Elephants at the tank
Herds feed on the grass around the Lahugala tank, often in the early morning and late afternoon.
The tanks
Three seasonal reservoirs, Lahugala, Kitulana and Sengamuwa, form the heart of the park and are where the elephants feed.
Water monitors and birds
Smaller wildlife includes toque macaques, mongooses, water monitors and endemic birds such as the Sri Lanka grey hornbill.
Magul Maha Viharaya
An old temple site nearby, said to have been built for a royal marriage, if you want a human story to go with the wildlife.
Before you go
Do this
- Ask your guesthouse what access is allowed that week before heading out
- Watch from the bund or designated viewpoints rather than on foot in the park
- Go at dawn or late afternoon, when elephants feed
- Treat it as one stop on a day that also takes in Pottuvil or the beach
- Keep at least a vehicle’s length from any elephant and stay in or beside your vehicle
Know this first
- Walking inside the park is risky because of the elephant population
- Access rules vary by source; one guide says the park is not officially open and vehicles are not allowed in
- Elephant numbers drop when rain refills other water sources
- The park is small, so it is one stop on a day, not the whole day
Getting to Lahugala Kithulana National Park
Most people see Lahugala Kithulana National Park as part of a stay around Arugam Bay. Our Arugam Bay guide covers where to stay, how long to give it and what else is nearby.
Coming straight from the airport, the relevant run is Colombo Airport to Arugam Bay — fixed price per vehicle, driver waiting inside arrivals with a name board.
Read the full Arugam Bay guideFrom Colombo Airport
Car up to 3 passengers; vans quoted on the route page. No night surcharge.
Lahugala Kithulana National Park — frequently asked
What is Lahugala Kithulana National Park?
A small national park inland from Arugam Bay, built around the Lahugala, Kitulana and Sengamuwa tanks and known for elephants feeding on the grass around them.
When is the best time to see elephants at Lahugala?
The dry months, especially July and August, when up to about 150 elephants gather at the tank.
Can I enter Lahugala by jeep?
Sources disagree. Rough Guides says vehicles are not allowed in and visitors watch from the bund by the hospital, while others describe jeep safaris. Check locally.
How big is it?
About 1,554 hectares, or around 16 square kilometres, making it one of Sri Lanka’s smaller national parks.
Also worth stopping for around Arugam Bay
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