Somawathiya Chaitiya National Park

Experience the unique landscape of this little-known national park located in the North Central and Eastern Provinces on a jeep safari through the latter part of the Mahaweli Delta. As you go, scan the plains for elephants since the vegetation growing here is some of their favourite food. Measuring a reasonable 37,762 ha Somawathiya is similar to the Flood Plains National Park to the south.

On your journey, you'll see that the north of the park is dominated by dry evergreen forest, while to the south lays the sizeable flood plains. Aside from elephants who can be observed feeding on the mainly water tolerant grass species and aquatic plants growing on the plains, leopards, water buffalo, sambhur, the fishing cat and the rusty spotted cat may also be seen while the flood plains are idyllic for many species of aquatic and raptor birds.