Wilpattu National Park: A Wildlife Lover's Paradise

Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka, Wilpattu National Park stands as the island's largest and one of its oldest protected areas, making it a captivating destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Renowned for its stunning “villus,” or natural lakes, Wilpattu attracts a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and over 30 some species of mammals.

The park's striking landscapes, with their copper-red soils (hence Thambapanni) and varied vegetation, create a unique ecological environment that invites exploration. Rich in history, Wilpattu is home to the ancient site of Thambapanni, the legendary landing place of King Vijaya, along with ruins that hint at the civilization of Queen Kuweni.

Accessing Wilpattu National Park is convenient through two main entrances: Eluwankulama Entrance and Hunuwilagama Entrance. The Hunuwilagama Entrance is ideally situated near the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Anuradhapura, while the Eluwankulama Entrance offers proximity to the picturesque coastal areas of Kalpitiya and Gage Wadiya. Each entrance provides distinct routes for exhilarating safaris, ensuring intimate encounters with the park’s majestic wildlife.

Whether you seek adventure or tranquility, Wilpattu promises an unforgettable escape into Sri Lanka’s wild beauty. Immerse yourself in its serene landscapes and vibrant wildlife, where every moment becomes a celebration of nature’s wonders.

Key Attractions

• Wilpattu National Park: Explore expansive plains, forests, and natural lakes known as "villus."
• Diverse Wildlife: Spot leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and over 30 some species of mammals in their natural habitat.
• Historical Sites: Discover the ancient site of Thambapanni, believed to be King Vijaya's landing place, along with ruins of an ancient civilization.
• Kalpitiya and Gange Wadiya: Access the scenic coastal areas from the Eluwankulama Entrance.
• Anuradhapura UNESCO Site: Visit nearby UNESCO World Heritage Sites that offer a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s rich history.

Adventure Activities

• Wildlife Safaris: Embark on thrilling safaris to encounter diverse wildlife in their natural habitat.
• Bird Watching: Observe a variety of bird species, including migratory birds like the Malabar pied hornbill and numerous endemics.
• Nature Walks: Explore the park's diverse ecosystems on guided nature walks, especially from the Eluwankulama side.
• Camping: Experience the tranquility of camping under a starry sky in Wilpattu National Park.
• Night Camping in Gange Wadiya: Enjoy the unique experience of camping by the coast, listening to the gentle waves and experiencing the beauty of the night sky.
• Fishing in Gange Wadiya: Try your hand at fishing in the waters near Gage Wadiya, a peaceful activity that adds to your adventure.

With its combination of rich biodiversity, historical significance, and breathtaking landscapes, Wilpattu National Park invites you to experience the very best of Sri Lanka's natural treasures.

Convenient Pick-Up and Drop-Off Options to Wilpattu

To ensure a seamless and stress-free journey to Wilpattu, we offer flexible pick-up and drop-off options tailored to your needs. Our Service Oriented drivers are registered professionals with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, ensuring you receive the highest level of service. Choose from the following convenient options:

• Airport Pickup: We can arrange for a comfortable and reliable vehicle to pick you up directly from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), ensuring a smooth start to your journey.
• Hotel Pickup: If you're already staying in Wilpattu, we can pick you up from your hotel in Habarana or other nearby locations.
• Customizable Drop-Off: We can arrange for a convenient drop-off location at the end of your stay, whether it's back to the airport or another destination of your choice.

Let us handle the logistics, so you can focus on enjoying your adventure in Wilpattu. Select the date from drop down menu below to reserve your vehicle or contact us to book your pick-up and drop-off services and ensure a hassle-free journey.

Rent a Car
- Per day

The price is calculated on 100 Kms per day. When the vehicle is returned the payment will be settled according to the additional Kms driven.

Helicopter Ride from
Colombo

You could reserve your personal helicopter journey on this page. Below rates are usually for one way journey on a four seater heli. At some places we could do a return journey ...

Reserve a Cycle, Scooter, Tuk Tuk, Catamaran, Kayak & more ...

Reserve your Cycle, Scooter, Tuk Tuk, Catamaran, Kayak & more on this page. In some case, this page offers an option of selecting the preferred ...

Wilpattu National Park - half day safari - 4 hrs

This half day safari is started around 5 AM and around 1 PM. The safari jeep will come and pick you up from your accommodation. The safari is taken about 4 hours  ...

Bird Watching - Gange Wadiya - 2.5 hrs

This is an early morning bird watching excursion we arrange from Gangewardiya. It is a motor-less rowing catamaran that takes you to enjoy its unspoiled surrounding ...

Wilpattu to Kalpitiya and vise versa - a short-cut

This 10 minutes boat ride cuts down one hour driving time to 10 minutes. And this ride is a great fun too! This ride can help safariing in Wilpattu, enjoying camping ...

Bird Watching -
Eluwankulama

This early morning bird watching excursion is arranged from Eluwankulama. We are not entering the national park but roam in border areas with abandoned bird and ...

Lagoon Fishing - Gange Wadiya Eluwankulama

In these unspoiled river and streams Barramundi, Featherback, Great Snakehead and Mangrove Jack are roaming. Our local anger will guide you through the fishing. Few ...

River Safari at Gangewadiya

There is a motor boat with a sunshade and fixed chairs that take you to enjoy morning and afternoon river safaris. We start this ride from Gangewardiya and Eluwankulama. Slow ...

Wilpattu National Park - full day safari - 12 hrs

This full day safari starts around 5 AM and finishes at 6 PM. The safari jeep will pick you up from your accommodation.  Price includes entrance tickets, safari jeep ...

Night camping in Gangewadiya

SImmerse yourself in the stunning beauty of the night skies and the sounds of the nearby Wilpatthu Jungle. CCT Sri Lanka’s boat will be ready to welcome you at 4 PM, with convenie...

Whales & Dolphins Watching -
Kalpitiya

A dinghy with a sunshade with 30-40 hp engine, leaves from 5.30 AM everyday to watch dolphins & whales. If you locate really nearby, we can arrange a Tuk Tuk to pick you ...

Visit Kalpitiya
14 islands

There are fourteen islands in Kalpitiya. You cover all those islands with this boat ride. We stop at few places for snacks and lunches. Nature and wildlife are serene ...

Observe sea mammals
by diving

Choose a place from shared boat or charter your own personal boat. Modern catamarans with cabins, on-board chef and staff available. Maximum 4 snorkelers in water at a time ...

Sri lankan Cookery Lessons
– 3 hrs

Welcome to our Sri Lankan cookery lesson, where the vibrant flavors and rich culinary traditions of this stunning island come to life! We can host this cooking lesson in all ma ...

Book Your Wilpattu Adventure With a Certified Guide Today:

Discover the captivating charm of Wilpattu and explore the diverse attractions it has to offer. Let us help you plan your unforgettable holiday to this enchanting destination in Sri Lanka. When you choose our services, you can rest assured that you're in the hands of experienced professionals who are dedicated to providing you with a memorable and enjoyable journey.