Welcome to the lush wilderness of Wilpattu National Park (WNP). Ranging over 131 thousand hectares, it is Sri Lanka’s largest and one of the oldest protected areas. The park consists of five blocks declared between 1938-1973 under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and is managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
WNP spans across the Puttalam and Anuradhapura districts, and borders the Mannar and Vavuniya Districts. The area is one of the most important elephant habitats in the country and is also a great place to observe the elusive Sri Lankan leopard and the sloth bear.
This park has a denser forest cover unlike many other National Parks in Sri Lanka. WNPs landscape comprises of dry zone forests and thorny scrub interspersed with extensive open plains, sand dunes and the unique Villu wetlands. Bare reddish cliffs rising abruptly from narrow beaches of the Portugal Bay and Dutch Bay are another striking feature of its landscape.
WNP is in the proximity to the ancient historical city of Anuradhapura and houses several ancient ruins and artifacts from various periods of history.
The Entire Wilpattu National Park, marine wetlands in western coast up to 10 km, Kala Oya estuary, Modaragam Aru estuary and Mahawilachchiya fresh water reservoir were declared as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2013. The area of Ramsar site is 165,800ha, of which WNP is the major component.
- 01.
Elephant - 02.
Leopard - 03.
Sloth Bear - 04.
Lesser
Adjutant - 05.
Mugger
Crocodile
Elephant
Leopard
Sloth Bear
Lesser
Adjutant
Mugger
Crocodile
Facts
Archeological structures scattered around the park including tanks, Buddhist monasteries, stupas, and rock inscriptions, give evidence of a civilization based on irrigated agriculture that was present in the region. Thambapanni, where King Vijaya supposedly landed in about 500 BC and founded the Sinhalese people, is said to be in WNP between Kudiramale point and Moderagam Aru river mouth.
Galbendi Neeravia, located North-East of Maradanmaduwa tank is supposed to be the place where Prince Saliya, the son of King Dutugemunu, lived with his bride Asokamaala 2,000 years ago. Further, prehistoric sites of the Paleolithic and Mesolithic period have also been recorded.
The park was closed to the public for over 20 years during the civil conflict in Sri Lanka but was reopened on 27th February 2010, after the war ended in May 2009. For a substantial amount of time, parts of the frontline ran through or near the park.
Consequently, the park management was severely disrupted, and the staff and many wildlife populations suffered. Now the park infrastructure and management are being rehabilitated and strengthen and as a result the wildlife is recovering.
Present socio-economic values in the fringing villages show greater diversity; communities in the western boarder totally depend on estuarine and sea fishing, while those in other parts mainly depend on subsistence agriculture.
As per the provisions of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, to enter the park for a safari, you’ll have to obtain a permit from one of the two park entrances: Hunuwilagama (Anuradhapura) or Eluwankulama (Puttalam) by making a stipulated payment. Visit Park fees page for more information.
Distance charts from the main towns to the two Park entrances
| Main towns | Approx. Distance (Km) | |
|---|---|---|
| Hunuwilagama (Anuradhapura) |
Eluwankulama (Puttalam) |
|
| Colombo | 190 | 165 |
| Kandy | 156 | 160 |
| Anuradhapura | 35 | 106 |
| Puttalam | 64 | 30 |
| Galle | 301 | 283 |
The park is open from 6 AM to 6 PM daily, but bad weather conditions may lead to a shift of opening hours. Only four-wheel vehicles are allowed inside the park and these Jeeps must maintain a maximum speed limit of 25km/h. If you are going to use your own vehicle, it must be accompanied by a guide provided from the park management. Visitors can get down from their vehicles only at designated locations such as Kumbuk Vila and Kudiramale Point. A museum is situated at the Hunuwilagama entrance.
There are seven basic circuit bungalows that can accommodates up to 10 people each, and a dormitory, which can house up to 50 people inside the National Park. Campsites are also available for more independent and adventures visitors. Bungalows, the dormitory and the camp sites must be booked in advance through the e-service or directly from the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
You will find a variety of accommodation facilities located within 10km from the two park entrances. More hotel and luxury camping options are available in Anuradhapura or Kalpitiya, which are popular tourist destinations. Kalpitiya is famous for its beaches, kite surfing and dolphin and whale watching ,while Anuradhpura boasts the ancient past of the country with many ruins to explore.
Looking to book a bungalow inside the national park?
Choose from a selection of seven circuit bungalows that can accommodate up to ten people each or the dormitory.
