Wilpattu National Park

The Wilpattu National Park spreads across 131,693 hectares of wetlands and dry forests, containing numerous natural lakes that sustain diverse wildlife populations.

Declared as Sri Lanka's first national park in 1938, Wilpattu served as a hunting ground for colonial administrators before becoming a protected area.

Local communities near Wilpattu maintain traditional practices of sustainable living, respecting the boundary between human settlements and wildlife territories.

Safari tours operate from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily, with experienced guides tracking leopards, elephants, and bears through established observation routes.

Natural water basins called villus, filled with rainwater and surrounded by white sand rims, create distinctive micro-ecosystems throughout the park.

Location: North Western Province

Location: North Central Province

Inception: 1938

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 06:00-18:00

GPS coordinates: 8.43333,80.00000

Latest update: May 27, 2025 09:59