TV Times

TV Times

Wasgamuwa Safari Village : Centre for adventure
By Sanath Weerasuriya
Out of five main National Parks in the country, Wasgamuwa National Park stands in between north-east slope of beautiful Knuckles range and rusty Polonnaruwa .

Though, Wasgamuwa Park is a popular place for real wild elephants, till very recently there was no proper place to stay over night in the area. Wasgamuwa Safari Village Hotel at Wasgamuwa is the pioneering resort in the area.

Overlookng the scenic ‘Knuckles Mountain Range’ bordering the Wasgamuwa Wildlife Sanctuary and Dunuwila wewa, stands the Safari Village Hotel at Wasgamuwa, in the Matale district, a true haven for wildlife enthusiasts.

The resort has 12 chalets type twin rooms and with all facilities for wildlife enthusiasts. Wasgamuwa Safari Village is built on three acres of land, tastefully landscaped in line with the wildlife concept of the hotel. It is equipped with all modern facilities for the discerning traveller, including hot and cold water, mosquito net (a necessity in a jungle area) telephone and room service.

All chalets of the resorts have been designed to offer its visitors a panoramic view of the beautiful Dunuwila Lake and over looking the Knuckles Mountains. Knuckles range is the most fascinating mountain range in the country. From Matale to Laggala is the stretch that gives a braethtaking view of the Western slopes of the range. Mystic Riverston and Mini World’s End are two main attractions of the area.

The hotel is ideally a base to explore many tourist attractions in the Centra land Uva Provinces, including the Wasgamuwa Wildlife Sanctuary and the Knuckles of course.The ruins of the Weheragala temple, built by King Dutugemunu, Randenigala, Rantambe, Hunnasgiriya and golden green paddy fields in Minipe are some of the other interest areas.

Apart from the main attraction the hotel provides the facilities to a host of other attractions for foreign and Sri Lankan visitors. Safaris to Muthiyangana temple at Mahiyangana, the Sorabora Wewa, camping facilities in mini worlds end in Knuckles, boating on the Dunuwila Lake, fishing, cycling to remote villages and visiting Veddhas at Dambana are some of the attractions.

The added attractions include jeep safaris and night safaris to nearby villages, to watch herds of elephants, leopards and other animals in their natural habitat, river baths at the Mahaweli river on the Eastern border of Wasgamuwa, and many more.

Business sprang in the Safari village in the Spring 1998. The resort can accommodate over 50 pax in 12 chalets at any given time and its open air Sun Deck Restaurant will cater to anyone’s palate.

‘We do not have electrified music as it will disturb the surrounding nature. Flute music or soft music is our biggest dinner time sound’ the manager of the place said.

Wasgamuwa Safari Village Hotel has two restaurants, the main restaurant and the ‘Sundeck’ restaurant which serve appetising Western, Eastern and spicy Sri Lankan cuisine. The hotel specialises in Chinese delicacies as it is affiliated to the Kinjou Chinese Restaurant in Colombo

‘You will have a holiday that will linger in your memory for a long time if you care to visit Wasgamuwa National park which is never devoid of visitors at any given time of the year. You have to visit the place to have an experience that will haunt you for a long time’ Wasgamuwa Park is maintained by the Wild Life department. Here you will see the elephant, leopard, the bear and deer and many more. Visitors may not be fortunate to see the bear and leopard at times. If your holiday is during the rainy season, a four wheel jeep will do the rounds for you. The park also has 17 kinds of fish in its waters.

Among those adding to the beauty of Wasgamuwa are Mahaweli, Kalu and Ambanganga with Muthuwangana Oya all of which pass through the National park. Wasgamuwa Safari Village Hotel, Wasgamuwa is owned and managed by Kinjou Lanka (Pvt) Limited, Colombo 5.

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