Vast north-west 'land of lakes' known for leopards, sloth bears and unhurried jeep safaris
Wilpattu covers more than 1,300 square kilometres of dense dry-zone forest, open grassland and shallow, sand-rimmed lakes known as villus. Its name is usually translated as 'land of lakes', and these waterholes are the focus of a safari, drawing leopards, elephants, deer and crowds of water birds.
The park is noted for its leopards, and because only part of it is open to visitors and jeeps are spread across a large area, game drives here often feel unhurried and quiet. The main entrance at Hunuwilgama is about 30 km west of Anuradhapura, making Wilpattu an easy addition to a tour of the Cultural Triangle or a journey north towards Jaffna.
Wilpattu was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1905 and became a national park in 1938. The area is steeped in legend and history: the Mahavamsa chronicle records Prince Vijaya landing at Tambapanni, associated with Kudiramalai Point on the park's coast, and Queen Kuveni is said to have lived at Kali Villu. Dozens of archaeologically important sites lie within its boundaries.
During the civil war the park was closed from December 1988 until March 2003. In 2013 it was included in the Wilpattu Ramsar Wetland Cluster, recognising its hundreds of natural and man-made water bodies, mangroves and salt marshes. A camera survey in 2018 recorded more than 130 individual leopards.
Villages around Wilpattu depend largely on farming and, near the coast, fishing. Many safari drivers and guides come from these communities and know the park intimately. The area's sacred and historical associations, from the Vijaya legend to the ruins in the forest, give it deep significance in Sri Lankan heritage.
Book a half-day or full-day jeep safari from the Hunuwilgama entrance with an experienced driver-guide, and aim for the early morning or late afternoon, when animals are most active around the villus. Bring binoculars: Wilpattu is as rewarding for birdwatchers as for leopard spotters.
A full day lets you reach deeper into the park, though it means long hours in the jeep. Pair your visit with the ancient city of Anuradhapura, about 30 km to the east.
Wilpattu can be visited all year, but February to October is generally the best period, as the villus shrink in the drier months and wildlife gathers around them. Most rain falls with the inter-monsoon showers around March and the north-east monsoon from about December to February. Check with the Department of Wildlife Conservation for any closures before travelling.
Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.
General guidance from our specialists, not official information.
The Hunuwilgama entrance lies near the A12 road between Puttalam and Anuradhapura, about 180 km north of Colombo. Safari camps and guesthouses cluster around the entrance road, and further choices are found in Anuradhapura, about 30 km east, and Puttalam, about 26 km south. Jeeps can be hired at the entrance or arranged through accommodation.
Sri Lanka · 3 nights3★ HotelSri Lanka · 3 nights4★ HotelSri Lanka · 3 nights5★ HotelThis guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.
