ABOUT US

History of WNP

Evidence of an ancient civilization is indicated through irrigation, and other structures found at the park, while the area is associated with much legends and history. Rewinding to 500 BC, King Vijaya landed at  Thambapanni (meaning “red earth” in Sanskrit), which is located at Kudarimalai area.

Further Paleolithic and Mesolithic records are found from several locations. Fast forward to more recent times, the park was closed for the public due to the onset of the civil conflict from mid 1980s up to February 2010, and WNP is currently undergoing rehabilitation infrastructure and strengthening its management to bring back its glorious past.

Management
Plan

The Wilpattu National Park Management Plan has multiple goals, including maintaining and managing the park as an un-spoilt representation of Sri Lanka biodiversity, while providing a unique visitor experience in ways that will not compromise the conservation goals. Read more on the Management Plan prepared for the period of 2019-2024.
sri-lanka-crested-serpent-eagle
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Activities at the Park

Find out about what you can do at the park, from taking a safari, camping, stargazing,
and bird watching.

Explore Sri Lanka’s wild side at its best.

Activities at the Park

Find out about what you can do at the park, from taking a safari, camping, stargazing,
and bird watching.

Explore Sri Lanka’s wild side at its best.

camping-in-wilpattu

Camp among the roaming wildlife

The national park offers limited outdoor camping sites for the more adventurous wholike to have a challenging experience by spending the night in a tent besides a tank or a river. You must bring your own camping gear and cooking utensils.

Bungalows and campsites need to be booked in advance with the Department of Wildlife Conservation. 

Bird Watching & Safari

Safari

Depending on the time in hand, take a half a day or full day jeep safari and spend a few hours inside the park to spot some of the endemic species in Sri Lanka or to get a glimpse of the big 3 mammals at the park – the Sri Lankan Elephant, Sloth Bear and the Leopard.

For all Ornithology enthusiasts, a variety of over 150 bird species including migrants, can be observed at the Wilpattu National Park. There are some breath-taking seascapes, especially at Kudarimali point or else you can spend some time beside a villu, just watching the animals.

Stay at a Bungalow

Choose from a selection of in-house accommodation with 7 circuit bungalows and a dormitory located beside a villu, a tank or a river. Encounter the wildlife at the doorstep and listen to wildlife while gazing at the stars.

elephants in wilpattu

Environment

mugger-crocodile-portrait

Wilpattu was declared a National Park in 1938 under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and is managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The Park and the surrounding areas are vital for protecting a good sample of biodiversity, that unique to Sri Lanka. Find out more about the environment and landscape at the park.

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Our People

Meet the people behind the scenes at the park management, from the warden, rangers, game guards, bungalow keepers to volunteers. These are the heroes that make Wilpattu National Park the haven that it is for its biological wealth.

Department of Wildlife Conservation staff is deployed at the Park headquarters at Hunwilagama and several beat stations positioned at strategic locations to carry out patrolling and other protective measures as well keeping the park infrastructure sound.

staff of WNP