Wilpattu National Park – Excursions in Anuradhapura – Sri Lanka

Wilpattu is the largest natural sanctuary in Sri Lanka, ‘the land of lakes’ as Wilpattu is known and haven for all environmentalists and wildlife fans.

History of Wilpattu runs to 1905 as the land was set a side and was upgraded to National Park on February 25, 1938. The Park was closed to the public in December 1988 following unstable security conditions & civil war. After the conclusion of war spanning more than three decades, Wilpattu was reopened   on February 27, 2010. 

 

It is located along the Northwest coast dry zone and the park consists of mainly dense forest, shrub and lush vegetation in which it harbours a thriving mass of plant and animal species. Leopards, elephant, sloth bear, water buffalo and spotted deer are a few of the many other mammals inhabiting the sanctuary. The national park also features a wide variety of birds, reptiles and butterflies. This is popular for its unique feature, the sand-rimmed water basins that fill up with rainwater to form natural lakes. Wilpattu is well-known for its thriving leopard population which has catapulted it to being amongst the top national parks in the world.

 

 

Wilpattu is situated just 30km west of Anuradhapura, 26km north of Puttalam and approximately 155 km north of Colombo in the Northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka. It is edged in by the Modaragam Aru in the South, the Kala Oya in the North and the Indian Ocean in the west and is around 152 meters above sea level. Visitors of Anuradhapura Shanthi Hotel also visit this park as its only one hour drive. We could arrange Safari vehicles and please remind us when you reserve your accommodation. Reservations : 0777 584813