Sri Lanka's largest national park, and the least-known. Famous for leopards and birdlife

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Wilpattu National Park Experiences

The best time to visit Wilpattu National Park is from February to October, during the dry season when animals come out to water sources. During the rainy season (November to January), the park is often closed due to heavy rain and flooding.

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The best time to visit Wilpattu National Park is from February to October, during the dry season when animals come out to water sources. During the rainy season (November to January), the park is often closed due to heavy rain and flooding.

It's the largest national park in Sri Lanka, with as many leopards as the more well-known Yala National Park. The best thing about Wilpattu is how much quieter it is. While every leopard or elephant sighting in Yala National Park will have 30-40 jeeps crowding around the wildlife, a sighting in Wilpattu will only have 5-6 jeeps around the wildlife.

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It's the largest national park in Sri Lanka, with as many leopards as the more well-known Yala National Park. The best thing about Wilpattu is how much quieter it is. While every leopard or elephant sighting in Yala National Park will have 30-40 jeeps crowding around the wildlife, a sighting in Wilpattu will only have 5-6 jeeps around the wildlife. 

Wilpattu is most famous for its leopards - there are over 300 leopards estimated to live here. Other than leopards, Wilpattu is also home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, sloth bears, deer, wild boar, water buffalo, and crocodiles. It's also a great place for birders as its home to endemic birdlife such as the Jungle Fowl, Painted Stork, Owl, Terns, Gulls, Eagles, and Heron.

Wilpattu is most famous for its leopards - there are over 300 leopards estimated to live here. Other than leopards, Wilpattu is also home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, sloth bears, deer, wild boar, water buffalo, and crocodiles. It's also a great place for birders as its home to endemic birdlife such as the Jungle Fowl, Painted Stork, Owl, Terns, Gulls, Eagles, and Heron.

If you're looking for an adventure and fewer crowds, head to Wilpattu. It's a little harder to get to compared with Yala, so it feels a lot more off-the-beaten-path. Wildlife here may be a little harder to spot as the national park is covered with thick forest, so its for those who love the hunt. That said, when we went we did see a leopard and elephant!

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If you're looking for an adventure and fewer crowds, head to Wilpattu. It's a little harder to get to compared with Yala, so it feels a lot more off-the-beaten-path. Wildlife here may be a little harder to spot as the national park is covered with thick forest, so its for those who love the hunt. That said, when we went we did see a leopard and elephant!

<ul><li>It's crucial to get your own naturalist guide, and not a park-appointed guide. Park guides are of inconsistent quality - some can't spot wildlife and don't have much wildlife knowledge. </li><li>Try to go for a full-day safari as it takes a while to get in and out of the park. If you do a half day safari you don't get to spend as much time in the main areas.</li></ul>

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It's crucial to get your own naturalist guide, and not a park-appointed guide. Park guides are of inconsistent quality - some can't spot wildlife and don't have much wildlife knowledge. Try to go for a full-day safari as it takes a while to get in and out of the park. If you do a half day safari you don't get to spend as much time in the main areas.

It was a nice stay because we got a upgrade to the treehouse. 
 Strangely enough we had yo pay for the lunch during the safari, in the program it was included. 
 The drive was 12 hours, which is too long, so we shortend it.

2D1N Safari and Stay @ Wilpattu Treehouse

It was a nice stay because we got a upgrade to the treehouse. 
Strangely enough we had yo pay for the lunch during the safari, in the program it was included. 
The drive was 12 hours, which is too long, so we shortend it. 

Leopard Trails is a true tented luxury safari operator. The staff are true professionals that love to host and immerse their guests into nature. In addition to being pampered at camp with delicious food and drinks, Leopard Trails also treats you to expert safari trackers on the trail in Wilpattu. With Leopard Trails, you'll leave Wilpattu not only having seen impressive animals, but you would also have learnt about all the little things that make Wilpattu so unique. We highly recommend Leopard Trails if you would like to pamper yourself!

Leopard Trails

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Leopard Trails is a true tented luxury safari operator. The staff are true professionals that love to host and immerse their guests into nature. In addition to being pampered at camp with delicious food and drinks, Leopard Trails also treats you to expert safari trackers on the trail in Wilpattu. With Leopard Trails, you'll leave Wilpattu not only having seen impressive animals, but you would also have learnt about all the little things that make Wilpattu so unique. We highly recommend Leopard Trails if you would like to pamper yourself!

Wilpattu Treehouse is located right next to the main entrance of Wilpattu National Park. The accommodation spirals around an old tree and provides for great views into the grasslands of the park. On a good day, you can spot roaming elephants from the lodge! The staff is kind and we especially enjoyed the food here!

Wilpattu Treehouse

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Wilpattu Treehouse is located right next to the main entrance of Wilpattu National Park. The accommodation spirals around an old tree and provides for great views into the grasslands of the park. On a good day, you can spot roaming elephants from the lodge! The staff is kind and we especially enjoyed the food here!

Wilpattu National Park

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Wilpattu National Park FAQs