Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura - Timings, Safari Cost, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 40 km from Anuradhapura and 52 km from Puttalam, Wilpattu National Park is a park situated at Hunuwilagama in Sri Lanka. Located on the western coast of the Island, it is the oldest and the largest national park in the country.

The park has earned its name from the numerous 'villus' (natural lakes in Sinhalese) that spread across the area. Wilpattu was declared a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1905 and designated as a national park in 1938. The park was closed down for more than two decades during the Sri Lankan Civil War and was reopened to the public in 2010. Ancient ruins such as stone pillars have been discovered in the national park, near a 'villu' called Kali. It is widely believed that these are the remains of the palace of Queen Kuweni, wife of Sri Lanka's first ruler, King Vijaya.

Covering over an area of about 1,317 sq. km, the park has nearly 50 lakes and tanks within its precincts. Wilpattu is among the top national parks world-renowned for its leopard population. Apart from the leopards, one can spot a multitude of other mammals and reptiles at Wilpattu, such as the Sri Lankan elephant, sloth bear, spotted deer, Indian python and monitor lizards. The bird species at the national park includes Sri Lankan jungle fowl, whistling teal and painted storks. Interestingly, the national park also has a specific historical significance.

Jeep Safari is the regular norm in exploring the Wilpattu National Park. While Leopards, Elephants, Sloth bear, Deer, endemic birds can be sighted easily during a half-day safari and in the full day safari. During the safari, the tourists aren't supposed to get off the jeep at the tracks of the wild animals and expose themselves to the possible encounters in the wilderness. With the rangers at the Wilpattu National Park guiding the wildlife safaris, the visitors are always safe though in the thick of wilderness.

The best time to visit Wilpattu National Park is during the months of February and October.

Safari Timings: 6 AM - 10 AM for Morning Safari, 2 PM - 6 PM for Afternoon Safari & 6 AM - 6 PM for Full Day Safari

Entry: LKR. 60 for Locals, USD. 15 for Foreign Adults, USD. 8 for Foreign Child, USD. 103 for Half Day Safari & USD. 133 for Full Day Safari