Quick answer
Lahugala Kitulana National Park is one of Sri Lanka's smallest national parks, at roughly 1,550 hectares, about 15 to 20 minutes from Arugam Bay on the road to Monaragala. It protects three tanks, Lahugala, Kitulana and Sengamuwa, where elephants gather to feed on beru grass, most often from roughly August to October. Elephants can sometimes be seen from the main road, and the park pairs with a visit to the ancient Magul Maha Vihara temple nearby.
Key takeaways
- Lahugala Kitulana National Park covers roughly 1,550 hectares, making it one of the smallest national parks in Sri Lanka.
- The park protects the Lahugala, Kitulana and Sengamuwa tanks, which grow beru grass favoured by elephants.
- Elephants are seen most often roughly from August to October, in the late dry season.
- The park lies about 15 to 20 minutes from Arugam Bay, on the A4 road towards Monaragala.
- The ancient Magul Maha Vihara temple is close by and easy to combine with an elephant visit.
What Lahugala Kitulana National Park is
Lahugala Kitulana National Park lies in the Ampara district, west of Pottuvil and Arugam Bay. It was declared in 1980 and covers roughly 1,550 hectares, but its importance far outweighs its size: it is a stepping stone on the elephant corridor between Gal Oya National Park and the forests of Yala East and Kumana.
The park's three tanks, Lahugala, Kitulana and Sengamuwa, are ancient irrigation reservoirs. As water falls in the dry season, the exposed beds grow beru, a tall grass that elephants favour, and herds come in from the surrounding forest to feed.
Seeing elephants at Lahugala
Lahugala's elephants are the reason to visit. In the late dry season, roughly August to October, herds of twenty to more than a hundred may feed on the tank beds, usually from late afternoon. The A4 road passes close to the Lahugala tank, so elephants can sometimes be seen from the roadside, though stopping should be done carefully and quietly.
A safari inside the park is possible but less common than at larger parks, and tracks are limited. Many visitors watch from the road edge or from viewpoints near the tanks with a local guide, which is often enough to see herds at close range.
Elephants here are wild and can be unpredictable, especially near roads and villages. Keep a respectful distance, stay in the vehicle and never feed them.
- →August to October: the best months for herds on the tank beds.
- →Late afternoon: elephants usually come out to feed.
- →Roadside viewing: possible near the Lahugala tank, with care.
Other wildlife at Lahugala
Lahugala Kitulana National Park is also good for birds. The tanks attract painted storks, spoonbills, herons, egrets and the occasional lesser adjutant, while the surrounding forest has hornbills and junglefowl. Mugger crocodiles and water monitors live in the tanks.
Leopards and sloth bears are present in the wider area but rarely seen. Travellers wanting a fuller safari often combine Lahugala with Kumana or Gal Oya.
- →Waterbirds: storks, spoonbills, herons and egrets.
- →Forest birds: hornbills and junglefowl.
- →Reptiles: crocodiles and water monitors.
Magul Maha Vihara and the area
The Magul Maha Vihara, a ruined monastery near Lahugala, is said to be where King Kavantissa married Viharamaha Devi, mother of King Dutugemunu. Its moonstones, stupa and guardstones lie in quiet forest, and elephants sometimes pass through.
A visit to the temple and the tanks makes a good half-day from Arugam Bay, especially in the late afternoon. Lankan Stays & Trails includes Lahugala on east-coast routes, often on the way between Arugam Bay and Ella or Yala.
When to visit Lahugala
The best time to visit Lahugala Kitulana National Park is roughly August to October, in the late dry season, when the tank beds are exposed and the beru grass is at its best. Arugam Bay's surf season, roughly May to September, overlaps with this window.
From November to January the north-east monsoon brings rain, the tanks fill and elephants disperse. In the early dry season, roughly May to July, herds are present but usually smaller.
- →August to October: peak elephant numbers.
- →May to July: smaller herds and greener landscapes.
- →November to January: wet, elephants dispersed.
Planning a visit
Lahugala is easy to reach from Arugam Bay by tuk-tuk or car in roughly 15 to 20 minutes. Visit in the late afternoon, ideally with a local guide or driver who knows where the herds have been feeding.
The park fits well with Kumana National Park to the south and Gal Oya to the north-west, giving three contrasting elephant places within two hours of Arugam Bay.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see elephants at Lahugala?
Yes. Lahugala is one of the best places on the east coast to see elephants, especially roughly from August to October, when herds feed on the beru grass of the tank beds. Elephants can sometimes be seen from the main road near the Lahugala tank, usually from late afternoon.
How far is Lahugala from Arugam Bay?
Lahugala Kitulana National Park is roughly 15 to 20 minutes by road from Arugam Bay, on the A4 towards Monaragala. A tuk-tuk or car can take you there for a late-afternoon visit, and many drivers know where the herds have been feeding recently.
Is there a safari at Lahugala?
Safaris inside Lahugala are less common than at larger parks, and tracks are limited. Many visitors watch elephants from the roadside or viewpoints near the tanks with a guide. For a full jeep safari, Kumana or Gal Oya are nearby alternatives.
What is beru grass?
Beru is a tall, sweet grass that grows on the exposed beds of the Lahugala, Kitulana and Sengamuwa tanks as water levels fall in the dry season. Elephants favour it, which is why herds gather at Lahugala in the late dry season, roughly August to October.
Is it safe to watch elephants from the road at Lahugala?
It can be done safely with care. Stay in the vehicle, keep the engine ready, keep a respectful distance and never feed or approach elephants. Herds near roads can be unpredictable, especially with calves, so follow your driver's lead and move on if elephants seem disturbed.
What else is there to see near Lahugala?
The Magul Maha Vihara, an ancient monastery with moonstones and a stupa, is close by. Kumana National Park, Gal Oya and Arugam Bay's beaches and lagoons are all within two hours. Many travellers combine Lahugala with a temple visit and a sunset at Arugam Bay.
When is the best time to see elephants at Lahugala?
The best time is roughly August to October, the late dry season, when the tank beds are exposed and beru grass grows. Late afternoon is the best time of day, as elephants come out of the forest to feed and bathe.