Why Wilpattu National Park will steal your heart
Wilpattu is Sri Lanka's safari secret. It's the largest national park on the island, but it sees only a fraction of the visitors that Yala does. That means quiet tracks, unhurried sightings and a real sense of wilderness.
The park's name means 'land of lakes'. Dozens of natural, sand-rimmed lakes called villus are scattered through dense forest and open scrub. Filled by rain, they attract wildlife from all around, and your jeep moves slowly from one villu to the next, scanning the water's edge.
Wilpattu is excellent leopard country. Because there are fewer jeeps, a sighting often means you have the leopard to yourself, watching it walk along a track or rest in the shade without a crowd. It's also one of the best places to look for sloth bears, and you'll see elephants, spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, mugger crocodiles and a rich variety of birdlife.
The park also has history. It is linked in Sri Lankan tradition to the arrival of Prince Vijaya, the legendary founder of the Sinhalese people, and ancient ruins lie hidden in the forest.
To make the most of Wilpattu, stay in a lodge or tented camp near the park and enjoy a full-day safari, with a picnic lunch in the wilderness. It combines beautifully with Anuradhapura and the dolphins of Kalpitiya on the west coast.
