Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park is in Sri Lanka. Owing to its remote location far from the regular tourist trail, it attracts fewer tourists than Yala or Udawalawe National Park, which means less traffic jams and more nature for visitors.

Wilpattu National Park was opened as a wildlife sanctuary in 1905, and became a national park in 1938. It was closed to visitors from 1988-2003 due to Sri Lanka's Civil War. For reasons of conservation, only around 25% of the park is open to visitors.

The park has an area of 1,317 km² and features wetlands of international significance.

The animal which attracts most visitors to this park is the Sri Lankan leopard. Wilpattu has the largest population of leopards out of any national park on the island, and therefore the best chance of spotting one. Elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer and other endangered animals can also be seen.

Inter-monsoonal rains in March and the north-east monsoon from December to February are the only sources of rainfall to the area. Visiting the park is not recommended during these months as the rains wash out trails and make parts of the park inaccessible.

Travellers usually organise tours to Wilpattu from their accommodation or a tour guide in Mannar, Anuradhapura, or Puttalam.

Half day safaris cost around €70 per person, full day safaris €100 per person. You will share the jeep with three or more other people. A morning safari starting at 06:00 is best because many animals are more active in the morning.

You cannot enter the park except in a guide's jeep.

• Kudiramalei point, Wilpattu national park, ☏ +94 11 2 888 585. Daily 6:29AM to 6PM.  (updated May 2019)

• Leopard trails, Wilpattu National Park, 61300, ☏ +94 77 780 0030 (mobile).  (updated May 2019)

• Wilpattu tree house, Wilpattu Sanctuary Rd Hunuwilagama, Horiwila, Wilpattu road, 50200, Nochchiyagama, ☏ +94 77 376 7113 (mobile). Rs. 11,123. (updated May 2019)
• the Backwaters Lodge - Wilpattu, Wilpattu National Park Hotel Road, Eluwankulama 61308, ☏ +94 76 331 3119 (mobile). Rs. 13,983. (updated May 2019)

• Wilpattu is a large park, filled with many types of animals, such as crocodiles and snakes. It is important that you do not get out of your vehicle and that you follow your guide's advice, because he has a lot of experience. Do not feed any animals because as the phrase goes 'you give a rat a cookie, it's gonna want the milk'. If you see any signs of danger, alert the driver or the guide, as he will act on it as soon as possible.

• Mannar