Stratification: Lowland dry zone & Villus

Size: 131,693ha

Status: National Park

Altitude: 50-100m

Temperature: 27c

Annual Rainfall: 1,000mm

Best time of year to visit: All year round with

Optimum duration of stay: 2 to 4 nights

Accommodation Options: Anuradhapura, Habarana, Negombo & luxury camping

Highlights: Beautiful scenery, Leopards & Muntjac Deer

Covering an area of 131,000 hectares that stretches from the Northwestern coast to the north-central province, the Wilpattu National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest wildlife parks. Wilpattu’s varying natural habitats; coastal belt, natural lakes (villus), cliff tops, scrublands, open grasslands and dense forest provide for numerous species of animals. Many of the `big game’ found in Sri Lanka including elephant, sloth bear, water buffalo, spotted dear and leopard can be seen here. The coastal belt and natural lakes attract many species of birds such as Painted Storks, Black-headed Ibis, Asian Open-bills, Whistling Teals, Eurasian Spoonbills, Little & Indian Cormorants and many species of kingfishers as well as water monitors and mugger crocodiles. It also contains a number of important cultural sites.

Three types of vegetation can be seen in the park, Littoral vegetation including salt grass and low scrub immediately adjacent to the beach; a 5-10 km coastal belt of monsoon scrub of very low stature. Further inland, is the monsoon forest with tall emergents such as Palu, Satin, Milla, Weera, Ebony and Wewarana. Some 73% of the park is dense forest or scrub and the rest is more open habitat.

Over 31 species of Mammals have been recorded in Wilpattu. Some of the regular big game seen in here include the Asian Elephant, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Buffalo, Spotted Deer, Muntjac/ Barking deer which is the most common herbivore.

Endemics spotted here include Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Brown-capped Babbler, Sri Lankan Woodshrike and Black-capped Bulbul. Wilpattu is also very good for migrating birds like waterfowl and waders. Some of the commoner migrants seen include Black-tailed Godwit, Common Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Great Stone-curlew, Whiskered Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Curlew Sandpiper,Black-winged Stilt, Gargany & Northern Pintail. Forest birds include Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Small Cuckoo, Racket-tailed Drongo, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Coppersmith Barbet, Red-wattled Lapwing, Brown Fish Owl, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Crested Hawk Eagle and water birds include Painted Storks, Asian Open-bill, Eurasian Spoonbill, and Spot-billed Pelican.

Mugger Crocodiles are frequently seen in the Villus, with a few species of fresh water Terrapins are also found in the park. Indian Rock Python, Russell’s Viper, Indian Cobra, Sand Boa, Saw-scale Viper & Hump-nose Viper.

Some butterflies recorded include the Great Eggfly, Great Orange Tip, Glad-eye Bush-brown, Blue Mormon, Common Mormon, Common Rose and Crimson Rose.

Kulu Safaris, Wilpattu: Kulu Safaris are a high-end wildlife company that specialises in mobile luxury camping safaris inside the three major national parks in Sri Lanka; Uda Walawe, Wilpattu and Yala.  Kulu offers a wonderful experience that allows you to really savour and enjoy the remarkable beauty of the wilderness.  (More)

Leopards Safaris, Wilpattu:  Leopard Safaris is the vision of its owner Noel Rodrigo; a wild life specialist whose knowledge about the Sri Lankan leopard, or kotiya as it is locally known, is second to none. This luxury camping package includes accommodation, all meals, BBQ and snacks, alcoholic beverages, unlimited game drives accompanied by a wildlife specialist and entrance fees to the National Parks.  (More)

Camping with Mahoora, Wilpattu:  Mahoora Safari Camps, managed by Eco Team, one of the premier wildlife companies in the island, offers camping inside a range of national parks.    Mahoora offer two grades of camping: luxury and standard and unlike the other competitors, Mahoora offers one-night stays in the parks which are useful when trying to keep down costs. But a two-day stay inside the parks is still recommended. (More)

Mud House, Anamaduwa:  A secluded eco-retreat nestled at the foot of the ancient Parmakanda Rock temple in Anamaduwa in the North West district of Puttalam, the Mud House is set amidst six acres of remote wilderness, tranquil lakes and abundant fauna and flora.  A stay at the Mudhouse is truly an experience of Sri Lanka's natural beauty within a typical rural setting.   (More)

Alankuda Beach, Kalpitiya:  This is a tranquil eco-retreat designed with rustic style.  Following the same village based concept as its sister property, Ulpotha located near Anuradhapura, Alankuda Beach is situated in the small fishing village of Alankuda amidst swaying palms, sandy beaches and the azure seas which is home to pods of Dolphins during the season.  Individual wattle and daub cabanas set within their own garden space, with separated with cadjan fences, provide a typical village setting and ample privacy.  (More)

Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura:  Rated as three-star, the Palm Garden Village is conveniently situated within 5 kms of the ruined city of Anuradhapura, It was built in traditional colonial style in the late 1990s and stands in a large 50 acre property, with villas immersed in the greenery. This botanical garden is well stocked with flowers, spices and fruit and occasionally elephants, buffaloes and deer wander out of the forest to drink at the adjacent lake. Palm Garden’s profusion of birdlife also holds particular appeal for ornithologists.  (More)

Tisawewa Grand Rest House, Anuradhapura:  Built by the British in 1907 and now run by the Ceylon Hotel Corporation, the Tisawewa Grand has an envied location standing in what was once the Royal Pleasure Gardens of the old capital of Anaradhapura. Tisawewa is good value, the closest hotel to the archaeological site of Anuradhapura and has wonderful views of the Tisa Wewa. Its imposing restaurant serves great rice and curry and is attractively priced.  (More)

Chaaya Village, Habarana: A 4-star hotel set on an acre of gardens, which blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings amidst tall trees and tropical foliage and a vast serene lake that brings nature right to the doorstep. (More)

Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana:  Cinnamon Lodge is blessed with a tranquil and picturesque 27-acre woodland location next to a beautiful lake. The large gardens are filled with gigantic tropical trees and tranquil waterways all providing home to a variety of birds, grey monkeys and rock squirrels.  The layout of the hotel is similar to the ancient cities of the Cultural Triangle where individual abodes and central public areas, connected by meandering pathways, are set amidst tranquil surroundings with the greatest respect to nature. (More)

Ranweli Holiday Village, Negombo:  An eco-friendly resort situated on a coastal wetland about ten miles north of the beach resort of Negombo.  This secluded holiday resort is reached via a short paddle-ferry that glides you to a peninsular between two rivers, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean; an ideal retreat for nature lovers. Ranweli's ecological commitment has been officially recognised by the World Tourist Organisation. (More)

Brown’s Beach, Negombo:  A mid-range beach hotel, Brown’s Beach is perched on the best stretch of private beach in the heart of Negombo.  Browns Beach Hotel offers 135 rooms. 25 of these rooms - called the Beach Rooms - were completely refurbished in 2006.  Red Dot recommends the Beach Rooms with direct access to the beach.  (More)

The Beach, Negombo:  Negombo’s first 5-star, the Beach is a chic and stylish hotel offering great luxury and a warm and attentive level of service.  The hotel is tastefully designed along contemporary lines, taking the surrounding seaside landscape into full view. Open verandahs, walkways and waterways welcome the cooling ocean breeze and the tropical sun. (More)

Ice Bear, Negombo:  An endearing guesthouse situated in Negombo, the Ice Bear is welcoming, artistic, and ever so eccentric. The imaginative budget traveler will love its sense of difference and little antique flourishes.  (More)

The shortest route to Wilpattu National Park is to travel from Colombo via Negombo on the Chilaw-Puttalam road. The turn off to the Wilpattu National Park is near the 45 Km post on the A12. From here follow the B028 for about 8 Kms.

Lanka Library: Click Here
Information on fauna & flora of Wilpattu