Wilpattu National Park is the largest national park in Sri Lanka, covering about 1,317 km² (131,693 hectares). It was originally designated as a sanctuary in 1905 and formally declared a national park on 25 December 1938. The park is especially famous for its natural “villus” — shallow, sand-rimmed, rain-fed depressions that act as seasonal waterholes and are vital to its ecosystem. It lies in the northwestern dry zone of Sri Lanka, spanning parts of Puttalam and Anuradhapura districts. Visitor access is currently limited to about 25% of the park, due to dense vegetation and restricted zones.
Wilpattu can be visited year-round, but the dry season (May to early September) offers the best wildlife viewing, as animals concentrate near the remaining water sources. Rainy periods, especially September to December, bring lush greenery but can make roads muddy and harder to traverse. The months of March–April also see rainfall but less intense than the main monsoon.
📍 Inside park – distributed across blocks | ⏱️ Safari drives (varies)
📍 Varies by block (Hunuwilgama, Eluwankulama, etc.) | ⏱️ Within park
📍 ~45–50 km (via Hunuwilgama entrance) | ⏱️ 1 to 1.5 hours
📍 50–55 km (Eluwankulama entrance) | ⏱️ 1 to 1.5 hours
📍 Near Anuradhapura | ⏱️ 1–1.5 hours
Because Wilpattu is close to Anuradhapura, visitors often combine visits to ancient stupas and monasteries in that region.
📍 Inside Park | ⏱️ During Safari
The park’s villus themselves are attractions for bird watchers, especially during seasons when water attracts birds.
Approximately 156 km (3-hour drive)
Approximately 185 km (3h 30min drive)
Approximately 39 km (1-hour drive)
As with many large parks, the region around Wilpattu has fewer high-profile restaurants. Most dining options are provided by local lodges and safari camps near the entrances. Travelers often choose to dine in towns like Anuradhapura before or after their park visit.
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