Wilpattu National Park is located in the north of Sri Lanka and is the largest national park in the country. The area is home to many species of animals, making it enjoyable for safari adventures. Sri Lanka is the best country in Asia for leopard spotting, and in Wilpattu National Park, you have a good chance of seeing these majestic creatures. Due to the park being closed for many years, it has not developed the same level of mass tourism as the more famous Yala National Park. And that has its advantages. The nature there is beautifully untouched, there’s no bumper-to-bumper traffic with other jeeps, and you can spot a lot of animals. So grab your camera and binoculars, prepare for a bumpy day, and an unforgettable experience. Here, you can find all our tips for Wilpattu National Park in Sri Lanka.
What Does Wilpattu National Park Look Like?
The word ‘Wilpattu’ literally means ‘land of lakes,’ which perfectly describes the park’s unique feature. The park has over a hundred lakes; from small pools to larger ponds with sandy shores. That, along with open grasslands and dense forests, makes a safari through this park a real adventure. Unlike other heavily visited national parks in Sri Lanka, Wilpattu National Park offers a quiet and serene environment. This is perfect if you prefer to avoid crowds and want to discover the wilderness of Sri Lanka in a relaxed manner.
What Animals Live in Wilpattu National Park?
Wilpattu National Park is the habitat of many different animals. There are about 30 different species of mammals, with leopards being particularly prominent. This king of the park sits atop the food chain, and this park is the original habitat of the leopard. So, there’s a good chance you’ll come face to face with this majestic predator. Besides leopards, you can also find some elephants wandering through Wilpattu National Park, although these days they are more commonly found outside the park in villages, as they search for food. You can also encounter the rare sloth bears (lip bears) in Wilpattu National Park, as well as water buffalo, crocodiles, wild boars, various deer species, and many exotic birds.
The Various Ways to Visit Wilpattu National Park
When planning a safari through Wilpattu National Park, you can choose between a half-day or a full-day excursion. Opting for a half-day safari means you’ll spend about four to five hours driving through the park. If you go for a full-day safari, you’ll be in the park for 12 hours, from sunrise to sunset. This might sound long, and it is, but you break it up and take time for breakfast and lunch.
I’d recommend going for a full-day safari. This way, you delve much deeper into the park and visit multiple spots, increasing your chances of spotting animals. Besides, leopards are often active just after sunrise. They retreat during the hottest part of the day and tend to reappear towards late afternoon. And when the king of the jungle retreats, other animals become more visible. So, with a full-day safari, you cover the entire schedule of the animals. In terms of price, there isn’t much difference between a half-day and full-day safari. I opted for a full-day safari and had an amazing experience! In the next section, you’ll learn more about what a full-day safari entails.
Opening Hours: Wilpattu National Park is open from 06:00 to 18:00.
Exploring Wilpattu National Park on Safari
Here you go! Even before the sun rises, you’re already waiting at the entrance until the park gates open at 06:00. Early morning is a prime time for spotting wildlife. As you drive into Wilpattu National Park, you’ll immediately see its stunning and diverse landscape. It’s quite a bumpy ride in the jeep, so you might doze off occasionally, but the beautiful surroundings and the hunt for leopards will definitely keep you alert.
As you navigate through the park, your driver will often try to chart a unique course, but you’ll also encounter other jeeps from time to time. The drivers quickly exchange information if they spot something interesting. When leopards are spotted, other drivers are usually notified so that all visitors get a chance to catch a glimpse. Both breakfast and lunch are included in a full-day safari. There’s a cottage in the middle of the park where all jeeps gather for lunch. It’s safe to step out and stretch your legs, but watch out for monkeys! They know there’s food to be had here, so don’t leave any belongings in the jeep.
During my safari, I spotted a variety of animals, from colorful birds and reptiles to herds of deer, wild boars, and water buffalo. As a cherry on top, after lunch, we finally encountered a leopard, lounging majestically on the warm sandy path. Since we were the first jeep to spot the leopard, we turned off the jeep’s engine and enjoyed this sight for at least 10 minutes from a respectful distance. Just before sunset, we exited the park, reminiscing about an unforgettable day.
Disclaimer: During a safari, you never know what you might encounter. Be open to surprises and go on safari without expectations, and you’ll surely enjoy a beautiful day.
What to Bring on Safari in Wilpattu National Park?
The following items are handy to bring on safari:
- Extra snacks and drinks, for some energy towards late afternoon
- Sunscreen
- Hat or cap
- Jacket for the morning. It can be quite chilly riding in an open jeep in the morning
- Toilet paper
- Camera with zoom lens
- Binoculars
The Different Entrances of Wilpattu National Park
There seem to be two entrances to Wilpattu National Park, but mainly the main entrance, Hunuwilgama Entrance, is used. It’s known that there are a number of leopards and bears in this area, so you have the best chance of spotting them when entering here.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Wilpattu National Park?
You can visit Wilpattu National Park throughout the year, but February to October is considered the high season because animals are more visible around the lakes during this time. April is mating season, offering a chance to spot some baby animals.
What Is the Difference Between Wilpattu National Park and Yala National Park?
Still unsure whether to visit Wilpattu National Park or Yala National Park during your trip to Sri Lanka? Below, I list the differences and for which experience you’re best suited to each park.
Landscape – Wilpattu National Park is greener than Yala National Park, ranging from dense forests to expansive lakes and open plains. The landscape in Wilpattu National Park is more intimate, allowing you to spot animals quite close. Yala National Park has a drier landscape, characterized by savannahs, shrubbery, and vast plains with panoramic views.
Animals – Online sources suggest that the variety of animals differs slightly, but from my experience, it’s quite similar in both parks. However, I spotted more animals in Yala National Park. This is because the herds were larger, but due to the vast plains, they were also further away. Yala National Park has more elephants than Wilpattu National Park. The leopard population is also higher, but I still think the chance of spotting them is almost equal.
Crowds – In Wilpattu National Park, a total of 100 jeeps are allowed in per day. During my visit, there were only 19. So, at many times, you felt like you were the only one driving through the park, making it a unique and peaceful experience. The number of jeeps in Yala National Park is significantly larger. You’ll see an endless line of jeeps at the entrance, many jeeps along the way, and there’s a rush with the jeep to get a spot when an animal is spotted. This sometimes makes it feel more like a tourist attraction. I also got the impression that the animals were a bit pressured. However, the popularity is understandable; it’s a beautiful large park with a huge variety of animals. Wilpattu National Park is much less crowded, so you’ll have a more peaceful safari experience.
Conclusion: Essentially, it boils down to this: Do you want a unique and authentic safari experience? Then, definitely visit Wilpattu National Park. If you want to see as many animals as possible and don’t mind the experience feeling a bit less authentic, then opt for Yala National Park. Of course, you can visit both, just like I did.
Where Can You Book a Safari in Wilpattu National Park?
We had a driver along with a guide who formed a great team and had a solid plan to spot as many animals as possible. I noticed that not all jeeps had an extra guide with them. I found those extra trained eyes to be quite valuable. You can also ask more questions to your guide to learn more about the surroundings. There are many different tour operators where you can book a safari in Wilpattu National Park. I went on safari with guide and naturalist Sineth. Sineth is a very enthusiastic and cheerful guide who knows everything about Wilpattu National Park and its animals. Besides Sineth, there’s also a driver, allowing Sineth to focus solely on spotting animals. You can choose between a half-day or full-day safari. The tours include entrance tickets, breakfast/lunch, and water. He works with fixed prices, so there’s no room for negotiation. The more people you book the tour with, the cheaper it gets. Sineth can also arrange transportation from places like Anuradhapura if you’re not staying near Wilpattu National Park. You can reach Sineth at +94 78 396 6538.
Visiting Wilpattu National Park from Anuradhapura or Staying Overnight?
Are you already visiting the cultural city of Anuradhapura during your trip? You can use this as a base for a safari to Wilpattu National Park. It’s about an hour’s drive, so if you want to enter the park at 06:00, you’ll be picked up around 05:00 by the jeep (don’t forget your sweater!). Organizations naturally charge an extra fee for picking up and returning to Anuradhapura.
You can also choose to stay closer to the park. This way, you can be among the first to enter the park when its gates open, giving you a better chance of spotting animals. Additionally, there are some fantastic lodges around Wilpattu National Park where you can have a unique overnight experience. Below, you can read about the most beautiful accommodations.
Unique Accommodation Options near Wilpattu National Park
The Backwaters is definitely one of the most beautiful accommodations to stay near Wilpattu. It’s nestled in nature, offering a stay in a gorgeous bungalow with a large glass wall, allowing you to fully appreciate the stunning surroundings. You can enjoy various activities such as kayaking, hiking, stargazing, and taking a boat ride to spot birds. To stay in line with the safari experience, you can also book a luxury tent at the glamping site of Big Game. You’ll stay in a super romantic setting with plenty of torches and ambient lighting. The spacious tents come with their own bathroom, and you’ll sleep in a comfortable bed.
  The Backwaters |
  Big Game |
