An open savannah like space is hidden between the lush thick forest on one side, hemmed by the sprawling Maduru Oya reservoir on one side and protected by a unique set of boulders on the other side. 

It is impossible not to fall in love with this place; wildlife sightings are near and never too far. The afternoons are serene as you watch the world go by in silence, herds of elephants appear on the sides of the banks slowly pushing their weight through the thick forest into the open space. The calves play together and take an occasional dip in the clear waters.

Without an exaggeration it is 360% view of wildlife. The banks get filled up with elephants simply sipping water or splashing mud to cool themselves. In fact, trumpeting becomes a familiar sound.

You may just sit back and enjoy a cup of tea and watch the “ safari that comes to you” or sit by the boulders and watch the endless herds of elephants until darkness forces you to get back to roaring campfire.

Dining Experience

Dining too, is an adventure with Explorer by Mahoora at Maduru Oya . While you enjoy a quiet cup of tea at sunset or wait for a hot meal to cool under the stars, not too far away… the elephants, sloth bears, wild boars, water buffalos and leopards roam for their own supper.

At nightfall, we make your wild dinner experience a little extra special. Listen to the campsite come alive with nocturnal animal whispers carried by the wind, and follow the flaming torches to your private starlight supper by a crackling campfire.

Game Drives 

game drives at maduru oya national parkGame drives let you explore your new home at the Maduru Oya National Park. Jeep safaris let you experience everything from an elephant roaming the tall grass to a range of bird life.

Maduru Oya has its unique features that you would come across in the game drive. The fishing village that is situated in the midst of the Park gives you the opportunity to get first hand experience the way this isolated  community lives in the Park. What’s more, you are one of the privileged guests - to take back to the campsite - the day’s catch; whether it be a freshwater prawns or lake fish, so that the chef on site can make a delicious dish for the night.

The remains of the brilliance of Nagha (Cobra) Tribe - 3000 years ago

Mahawamsa and Deepavamsa speak of the Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka, to settle a dispute between two Nagha kings. The Nagha tribe is said to have been skilled and possessed great expertise in the areas of agriculture and irrigation.

As the Mahaweli development project spread to Maduru Oya in 1983, with the objective of irrigating most parts of Sri Lanka, part of the Aadivasi community from Dambana was relocated to Henanigala.

The community today engages in farming and lead a simple life. You can catch a glimpse of their lives with us as they take you through a forest’s patch and showcase some of their skills. Or you may just get the opportunity to spend time and understand their culture as we invite them to spend a night with us at Explorer by Mahoora campsite.

It's the home to a small community of fishing families who embark upon early morning fishing trips hours in the Maduru Oya reservoir. Pastel shade sail boats and canoes steadily anchored on the shore after the morning voyage is eye candy indeed. The relaxed atmosphere in celebrating the day’s catch is unforgettable, You may walk around the shore and have a look at the fresh catch from fish to freshwater prawns -  that are as big as lobsters.

What’s more,  we may just fulfill your culinary fantasy by taking some to be grilled on the BBQ for dinner.

Facts

Explorer by Mahoora is a highly unique and immersive experience of living with untamed Sri Lankan wildlife inside National Parks and Nature Reserves across the country. Our Private Tented Safari Camp Experience in Maduru Oya National Park is on the banks of Maduru Oya Reservoir.

Maduru Oya The park designated in 1983 provides a sanctuary for elephants and protects the immediate catchments of five reservoirs. Large herds of elephants roaming in the Park are at times hidden by the tall grasslands. Our guests get a real-life experience; up close and personal with wildlife.

The magical setting in the silent wilderness where the rustic flame torches light up and roar to the tune of the wind while the campfire dances alongside, under a starry sky…. this is the place to sit back and relax - while we take care of you.

There is a freshness and exotic touch to the cuisine served at our Safari Camp. Exceptional detail is given to the menu by our wonderful chef. Our guests can partake by selecting a catch at the fishing village, should they so desire, and leave the rest to our creative kitchen.

Explorer by Mahoora is for the adventurer who is looking for a sense of comfort and glamour in the midst of the wilderness. The tent (15.6’x 8’) comes with a bedroom and an en-suite bathroom along with a private veranda/porch outside the tent.

2 nights/ 3 days Itinerary

Living here is an indelible experience. There are few places that one can get up close and personal and enjoy the wilderness in its true pristine form. The elephants trumpeting becomes more like traffic on the street. The campsite is surrounded by a range of birds and regular visits of elephant herds that come to take quick baths, are numerous. The astonishing sunset takes one to a place of complete surrender where living in the wild becomes ecstatic.

The Maduru Oya National Park

Just beyond the Wasgamuwa National Park, lies a jewel not quite caught in the limelight; the Maduru Oya National Park. Situated in the eastern province of Sri Lanka, it is a formidable expanse of over 58,800 hectares and home to wildlife, ruins and engineering feats.

While the Park finds itself in the dry zone, water systems here make up about 15% of the land area, including the five reservoirs of:  Maduru Oya, Ulhitiya, Rathkinda, NDK, and Henanigala reservoirs, in addition to tributaries of the Mahaweli and Maduru Oya rivers.

What is significant about this Park is not just its biodiversity but its richness in being home to numerous endemic and endangered species, in particular. Elephants are a visible feature in the Park, and herds can be sighted quite frequently. Among the other residents are: the sloth bear, leopard, water buffalo, toque monkey, spotted deer, sambar, porcupine, Indian muntjac, jackal, fishing cat, wild boar, and several other smaller animals. This Park is one of the recorded habitats of the grey slender loris while the European otter has also been reported here.

Not to be outshone, the avifauna is also very varied and stunning to behold.  The white-bellied sea eagle, great cormorant, the painted stork, the black-hooded oriole, woodpecker, and Sri Lanka’s national bird, the jungle fowl, and the malkoha, amongst others, make their presence evident - if not very audible. Interestingly, around the reservoirs, the Asian openbill, spot-billed pelican and the Oriental darter take centre stage, along with the black-headed ibis and the Eurasian spoonbill.   

Moving around in an inconspicuous manner, are the water and common monitor, estuarine and mugger crocodile, the introverted Indian star turtle, and snakes such as the common cobra and black-tailed python. Giant gourami, catfish and snakeheads are just some of the fish found in the reservoirs.

The Park boasts of abundant dry zone vegetation.  Weera, palu, buruta, kaluwara welang, ehela, kumbuk, milla, kone and fruits like beli and woodapple are all found here.