Vinseth Holiday Resort

A haven for the wildlife lover

NATURE: The Wasgamuwa National Park, declared a National Park in 1984, is one of Sri Lanka's chief eco-tourism venues. Located in the districts of Matale and Polonnaruwa and bordered by the Mahaweli and Amban rivers the Park stretches an awe-inspiring 36,948 hectares.

According to a survey carried out in 1993, the Wasgamuwa Riverine Nature Reserve Complex (WRC) is home to about 95 elephants while some estimates put the figure as high as 300. The Park also accommodates other large mammals.

Home to a huge variety of flora and fauna, this park is truly a paradise for nature lovers. With many small scale ancient tanks and several other ruins and ancient religious sites, the park also has significant historical value.

Kadurupitiya, Dagoda, Baduruwayaya Buddha Statue, Malagamuwa stone pillars and other ruins also bear witness to the past glory of the area. Yudanganapitiya, where the armies camped during the battle of kings Dutugemunu and Elara is yet another place of historical importance within the Wasgamuwa National park.

In close proximity to the Wasgamuwa National Park stands Vinseth Holiday Resort, a family resort. It is the ideal spot to explore the world of elephants at the Wasgamuwa National Park.

Vinseth Holiday Resort has been built on a two-acre land and is only a walking distance to the National Park. This is a plus point to this family resort.

The cottage type resort has four bedrooms and is being given out as one unit or as individual rooms to tourists visiting the Wasgamuwa National Park. It has become an ideal stop-over for tourists visiting the Park.

The proud owner of the resort Managing Director, Vinseth Holiday Resort, K. A. V. Dharmasiri built this resort as his family bungalow but due to the demand from tourists visiting the Wasgamuwa National Park, decided to convert his family bungalow to a family resort, due to its close proximity to the Park.

The Resort offers the very best in Sri Lankan cuisine prepared by an expert chef. Western cuisine too is available.

The Resort offers safaris to the Wasgamuwa National Park, the Knuckles mountain range, bath in the Mahaweli river, which runs adjacent to the Resort, and other places of tourists attractions in close proximity to the Resort.

The Resort could be reached via e-mail on: [email protected]

- Lester

Special offer at Chaaya Village to witness 'The Gathering'

HABARANA: Every year, 'The Gathering' takes place on the receding shores of the Minneriya Lake during the months of August and September.

The elephants, sometimes numbering over an awe-inspiring 300, converge onto the shores of the Minneriya Tank. It is reported that nowhere else in the world will one find such a high concentration of wild Asian elephants into a few square kilometres.

In view of this special event Chaaya Village Habarana is offering a special deal on your accommodation, including very special Jeep Safari rates. The recently re-branded Chaaya Village Habarana has been a much sought-after holiday resort to both local and foreign tourist.

The King Fisher Lodge located at the brim of the Habarana Lake offers absolute privacy together with many luxuries in the room. At the Eagle's Lodge you can enjoy the luxuries of a Jacuzzi and ample space within the room to relax and enjoy a true holiday.

The deluxe rooms provide a beautiful view of the Habarana Lake and the freedom to enjoy nature at its best with the wide-open spaces. With the drought taking full effect by end an incredible gathering takes place with many herds joining in the evening hours besides the breathtaking settings of the Minneriya waters.

Elephants numbering over 300 are seen gathering for their evening splash with the plains of Minneriya - playing, grazing and spraying water creating a sight that will take your breath away.

With the drought at its peak, most herds move towards the recently declared Kaudulla National Park and with the great herds moving - the larger males in musth (a condition which makes adult males reproductively active) follow the herds looking for receptive cows, competing with other males in a stunning display of raw strength and aggression where the strongest wins the opportunity of passing its genes to the next generation.