Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park is a dry-zone park in northwest Sri Lanka, known for leopards and for its willus, sand-rimmed rainwater lakes.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Wilpattu National Park lies in the dry northwest coastal lowlands of Sri Lanka, across the North Central and North Western provinces. It is about 30 km west of Anuradhapura and 180 km north of Colombo. The park covers 1,317 square km, with elevations from sea level to 152 metres. Its best-known feature is the willus, sand-rimmed basins that fill with rainwater to form lakes, and about 106 lakes and tanks lie across the park. It is one of Sri Lanka's oldest national parks, a sanctuary from 1905 and a national park since 1938.
Many visitors come for leopards. A 2018 camera survey recorded 133 individual leopards, 17 of them cubs. Threatened mammals include elephant, sloth bear and water buffalo, and 31 mammal species have been recorded in total. More than 120 bird species live here, and mugger crocodiles and turtles inhabit the large permanent lakes. Popular months are February to October, with April to September as the dry period. The park closed from December 1988 to 16 March 2003 during the civil war, and visitors can now reach only about 25% of it.
Wilpattu National Park in five
- Pick the gate before you pick the hotelA DWC and GIZ visitor guide names two ticketing counters, Hunuwilagama on the Anuradhapura side and Eluwankulama on the Puttalam side. It dates from 2018, so confirm the current gates and process with the DWC.Visitor guide (2018)
- Book permits and any bungalow through the DWCThe 2018 guide says bungalows, the dormitory and camp sites must be booked in advance through the e-service or directly with the DWC. Day permits follow the DWC's usual online process.DWC eServices
- Read the FCDO northern note before driving onWilpattu is not among the districts the FCDO lists, but roads north toward Mannar are: it describes a visible military presence and signs warning of landmines. Follow local advice.FCDO regional risks
- Plan around the dry monthsThe guide lists the dry seasons as January to February and May to September, and the wet seasons as September to December and March to May. Bad weather can shift the opening hours.Visitor guide (2018)
- Pair the park with AnuradhapuraThe park spans Anuradhapura and Puttalam districts, and the guide points to Anuradhapura and Kalpitiya for more hotels. The sacred city makes a natural second stop.Anuradhapura travel guide
Things to do in Wilpattu National Park
See all attractions in Wilpattu National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- Park permit through the DWC; price set per booking
- Permits
- Day permits online; bungalows and camps booked ahead
- Season
- Dry Jan to Feb and May to Sep, per the 2018 DWC and GIZ guide
- Nearest town
- Anuradhapura or Puttalam; Kalpitiya on the coast
- Getting there
- By road to the Hunuwilagama or Eluwankulama gate
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryDry
- FebruaryDry
- MarchWet season
- AprilWet season
- MayWet, then dry
- JuneDry
- JulyDry
- AugustDry
- SeptemberDry, then wet
- OctoberWet
- NovemberWet
- DecemberWet
Right now in Wilpattu National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 32°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 15 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Wilpattu National Park
02:11 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°24°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed32°24°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu32°23°100%Thursday: Rain. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri30°23°100%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat31°23°100%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun29°23°100%Sunday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Mon30°23°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 10:15 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 332.4 LKR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Anuradhapuraby road, either side of the parkThe first capital, with the Sri Maha Bodhi and the great stupas.Read the guide
- The Ancient Citiesa longer route eastPolonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Dambulla, as one cultural loop.Read the guide
- Kalpitiyaon the coast, by roadListed by the DWC for whale watching; Sri Lanka Tourism adds dolphins.
Before you go to Wilpattu National Park
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Wilpattu National Park, checked
- Ramsar: the Wilpattu Ramsar Wetland Cluster (site 2095) was designated on 2 February 2013, covers 165,800 ha and includes all of the national park.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
- DWC and GIZ guide (2018): four-wheel vehicles only, 25 km/h maximum, no leaving the vehicle except at designated places, no smoking.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
- FCDO: there is a visible military presence across the north; heed signs warning of landmines and follow instructions from the security forces.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
Plan around Wilpattu National Park
The sacred city beside the park
Read the guideThe Ancient CitiesOne loop of four heritage sites
Read the guideYala or Uda Walawe?How the other safari parks compare
Read the guideYala travel guideThe south-east leopard park
Read the guideGetting around Sri LankaDrivers, trains and buses compared
Read the guideAll of Sri LankaRoutes, seasons and entry rules
Read the guideWilpattu National Park FAQ
Is Wilpattu better than Yala?
They suit different trips. Wilpattu is the larger park, a landscape of villus and dry evergreen forest in the north-west, while Yala is the better-known south-east park of scrub and lagoons. The Yala or Uda Walawe page compares the south-east options.
When is the best time to visit Wilpattu?
The 2018 DWC and GIZ guide lists dry seasons as January to February and May to September. Rain in the wet seasons can flood the grassland around the villus and shift opening hours, so check conditions before you book.
Which entrance should you use for Wilpattu?
The 2018 guide names Hunuwilagama on the Anuradhapura side and Eluwankulama on the Puttalam side. Use the gate nearest your base, and confirm with the DWC that both are in use for your date.
Can you stay inside Wilpattu National Park?
The 2018 guide lists seven circuit bungalows for 10 people each, a dormitory for up to 50 and camp sites, all booked in advance through the DWC e-service or the DWC directly. Check current availability and rules.
Can you see leopards in Wilpattu?
Sri Lanka Tourism says Wilpattu is renowned for leopards, with 49 individuals photo-captured in one survey area. Sightings are never guaranteed, though the DWC guide also names elephants and sloth bears among the large animals.