Name: Explorer by Eco Team - Wasgamuwa National Park
Address: Wasgamuwa National Park, Handungamuwa, Handungamuwa, Handungamuwa, 21000, Sri Lanka
Rating: 9

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Sigiriya Slaf Base

Polgolla Reservoir Airport

Explorer by Eco Team - Wasgamuwa National Park

Handungamuwa

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We spent a fantastic two nights in Wasgamuwa, exploring the wildlife, enjoying the comforts of the camp and swimming in the nearby river. We had some fantastic encounters with large herds of elephants and the birds are fantastic within the park. Unlike the more famous parks in Sri Lanka the number of jeeps in the park is minimal so we were able to enjoy the vast majority of the wildlife in isolation. You can also camp within the park here and that makes the safaris themselves much easier and increases the time spent looking at the wildlife. The guides and camp staff were all very helpful and the tents are comfortable.

Great safari, away from the crowds

Mahoora had set this tent site up just for four of us and we were deep within the park in very good tents.  We had the same naturalist that we had had in Willipatu (excellent)  and a driver who was great fun and very experienced.  The elephants here were the best we saw in the country.  We even got trumpeted at by one mother and then charged by a male - our driver and naturalist knew just what to do and we had great experiences.  The staff at the tent site were many and very attentive, dining was a lovely experience in the woods.  It must be incredible to have to set up such a site but for the visitor, a great experience.

Great park, great camping experience

We stayed at a Mahoora arranged site for one night at Wasgamuwa, and without any stretch of the following phrase - had the best time ever. The campsite sat inside the reserve, right on the edge of Mahaweli river.

The tent was arranged to perfection, and was closing in on a proper hotel room, rather than a tent. The camp site was dedicated to us only, but there were 8 others employed by Mahoora to look after our every need. Talk about dedication.

The meals, often running 3 or more courses were done very well in gastronomy and presentation. Electricity was readily available throughout the trip as well as running water. The battery powering the the site was somewhat limited, (understandably so) but we could charge phones and cameras without any problem. The handling of logistics that goes into this is amazing. Needless to say, we were blown away because we didn't expect such luxuries inside a national reserve. Hats off to Sagara and team from Mahoora for all that.

The safaris were great. Wasgamuwa is not as travelled as say, Yala, so the animals are hard to come by provided the rainy weather we had. But our naturalist Devaka and the trekker Dammika did their best in showing us around and took a lot of great shots of the wilderness. There were two safaris, one in the afternoon and one in the morning, and both of them were quite informative and eventful. In both of these, we had nice picnics inside the reserve where we presented with snacks and drinks - which was a nice touch.

In the evening, we were treated to a minibar with local spirits and some wine, and an amazing cocktail with local Arrack; all with our own campfire done outside of the tent. And the barbecue happened simultaneously with chicken, garlic bread, pork chops and etc. The alcohol in theory is "unlimited", but in order to make the most of the early morning Safari (read 6am), you just cannot indulge.

All in all, I believe it's the attention to details that matters. The dining table decor, the lanterns burning around the campsite, Devaka sharing his guide books, Sagara finding my wife a pair of slippers because shoes were too much of a hassle, and that barbecue sauce!

Everyone at the camp were extremely courteous and was at our beck and call all the time. Fully worth the somewhat expensive price tag. Especially appreciate all the hard work done by these guys doing what they did in the middle of bad weather.

Probably the best wilderness experience without leaving behind your comforts

This is an Eco friendly camp.  Our tents were perched 4 metres off the ground and accessed by a ladder.  There are two double tents set each end of a sturdy platform. These are built for an actual booking and removed until another one.
It was a great experience with top staff - 6 in all.  They were knowledgeable, polite and nothing was too much trouble.
We had dinner on the edge of the river where a brazier was lit to keep the crocodiles at bay.  The table was set with a linen cloth, quality utensils and candles.  The eating area was further enhanced by burning torched.
All our meals were of high standard except for the two picnics served on safari,  fruit in polystyrene and boxes of juice, carried in p,astic bags.
That was the only let down.
We saw many exotic birds, water buffalos, lots of small exotic wildlife, families of baby quails, monitor lizards, monkeys galore and peacocks dancing in front of the jeep,but only a couple of elephants.
A word of warning, the ladder is not for people with disabilities and the jeep is tricky to get in and out of.

Back To Nature

Having booked an all inclusive elite safari for a family of 3 costing £1000 for one night we had expectations that we would be treated exceptionally well and would be lavishly 'glamping'! This was not the case.

Our safari parts were good, our guide very clever and knowledgable but he muttered and i started to give up asking him to repeat himself very quickly. We spotted some great bird species and beautiful elephants. As expected and acceptable.

The staff in the camp were scarce.... very little english spoken...fine, but we weren't able to help ourselves to any beverages / beers or 'unlimited' alcoholic and soft drinks we'd paid for in advance. Why not set up a small bar..... this was very poor hospitality. We had to ask for beer and wine and waited for 30 mins for our first warm beer after a hot safari to arrive.....very disapointing. The food was good and very plentiful. We are not fussy eaters.

The tent was ok inside....we regularly camp at home in the uk so being under canvas doesn't phase us. Our cases were on the floor though, as were the usual large ants you'd expect in the great out doors. Mosquitto netting didnt fit well and the tent its self was very shabby. NOT like the website photos. Bloody loud generator with a light that kept fusing....unfortunately, due to panicking over the light not working instead of talking to their guests...we couldnt tell them we didnt want the light or electricity! The setting selected was questionable.....our wake up call for early safari was 5.15 am....however, the local buddists call to prayer was loudly at 4.30am....lol. 

Why didnt they talk to us and socialise around the non- existant campfire and tell us about this? 

Having aquired a second warm bottle of white wine to finish in our tent we went to bed at about 10.30pm..... we opened it and had one glass. Hot and tired...fell asleep. In the morning we had to sign for what we had consumed... guess what, somebody had taken the bottle of wine way from inside our tent before we left!!! I thought it was mine! 

OUTRAGED....we got into the aircon taxi that mahoora had arranged for us to drive to kandy ($95) and guess what....no aircon and no english spoken by the driver and NO knowledge of Kandy either! Thank god for samsung phones,  google maps and gps! Lol.

Unfortunately we all feel let down! 2/5 because wasgamuwa reserve was great!

Explorer by Eco Team - Wasgamuwa National Park

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