Want to visit Wilpattu National Park? Let us share some details about this national park that you must know before visiting.
Sri Lanka is home to many national parks and attracts most tourists for its natural landscapes. Wilpattu National Park spans over 1300 sq. km. At Wilpattu National Park, you will spot some majestic species of animals.
About Wilpattu National Park
Established in 1938, Wilpattu National Park is the largest and one of the oldest protected areas of the country. The national park is divided into 5 blocks. The Wilpattu National Park is spread across 2 districts of Sri Lanka: Puttalam and Anuradhapura. It also borders the districts of Mannar and Vavuniya.
The name Wilpattu means the Land of Lakes. It has numerous natural lakes, hence the name “villus.” These lakes play a crucial role in maintaining the park’s ecosystem and attracting a wide variety of wildlife.
Wilpattu National Park has diverse landscapes, including denser forest, dry zone forests, thorny scrub in open plains, sand dunes, and lake wetlands. The Bare Reddish cliffs rise from the narrow beaches of the Dutch and the Portugal Bay.
Location
Wilpattu National Park is located on the northwest coast of Sri Lanka. The national park is about 30 km west of Anuradhapura. The distance from Colombo is 180 km. To reach the park, you will have to visit a village named Hunuwilagama, which is also the main entrance of the park.
You can reach the main gate via Anuradhapura or Puttalam. You can reach the location easily by bus or private cars or cabs; for short rides, you can hire a tuk-tuk.
Things to see in Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park is the best place in Sri Lanka to spot leopards. Early morning or late afternoon will increase your chances of seeing leopards in their natural habitats. The villus, or natural shallow lakes, are a must-watch. These attract elephants, water buffalo, and a number of bird species.
For wildlife observation and photography, the lakes are the best spots. The park has recorded over 200 species of birds. These include Sri Lankan junglefowl, painted stork, and the white-bellied sea eagle. If you are about to go in a particular season, you will also spot some migratory birds.
Sloth bears are another popular species in this national park. You can spot them easily during the dry season. Some ancient historical ruins of the Sinhalese kingdom can be seen in the national park.
Opening time
The Wilpattu National Park is open daily from 6 am to 6 pm. But timings also depend on weather conditions. February to October is the best time to visit the national park.
Entrance tickets
Local Adult: LKR 60
Local Child (6-12 years): LKR 30
Foreign Adult: $15
Foreign Child (6-12 years): $8
Vehicle parking charges are different. For each car, you will have to pay LKR 125.
Conclusion
Ready to visit Wilpattu National Park? Use this article as your guide. Make sure to visit the museum at the main entrance. Visiting the park in the dry season is the best time to spot many species.
Editorial Staff at Ceylon Empire Travels are Specialist in Sri Lanka Travel.
