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    Wilpattu National Park

    Sri Lanka

    Wilpattu National Park

    Point of Interest

    Wilpattu National Park, covering approximately 1,317 square kilometers, is Sri Lanka's largest national park. It's located in the island's northwest, about 30 kilometers west of Anuradhapura and around 180 kilometers north of Colombo.

    by Felix Gillen

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    9. Wilpattu National Park
    Wilpattu National Park, covering approximately 1,317 square kilometers, is Sri Lanka's largest national park. It's located in the island's northwest, about 30 kilometers west of Anuradhapura and around 180 kilometers north of Colombo. You come here to observe leopards, sloth bears, and elephants in a tranquil, less-visited wilderness.Characteristic of the park are the Villus, natural, mostly circular depressions with gently sloping sandy banks that fill with rainwater. Approximately 106 lakes and waterholes are spread throughout the park. A 2018 camera trap survey recorded 133 leopards, including 17 cubs.Wilpattu became a protected area in 1905 and a National Park in 1938. Due to the civil war, it was closed from 1988 to 2003.

    Sights in Wilpattu National Park

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Kudiramalai Point
    Point of Interest

    1Kudiramalai Point

    The headland on the coast, also known as Horse Point, is identified with Tambapanni, where, according to the Mahavamsa, Prince Vijaya landed in 543 BC. Striking is the copper-red soil, which is otherwise not found in the park.
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    Restaurants in Wilpattu National Park

    Legends, Admission and Rules

    History and LegendsAccording to the Mahavamsa chronicle, Prince Vijaya landed in 543 BC at Tambapanni, which is identified with today's Kudiramalai Point in the park. Ruins near Kali Villu are attributed to the legendary Princess Kuveni.AdmissionAccording to the tariff published in 2022, foreign adults pay 25 US dollars, children aged 6 to 12 pay 15 US dollars, plus a vehicle fee and 18 percent tax (according to guidebooks, still valid in 2025; check for updates as of October 2026).Current prices are available from the state information center at number 1919.For booked safaris, admission is not always included in the price.

    Arrival and Safari

    Getting ThereThe main entrance is the Hunuwilagama Gate, which is easily accessible from Anuradhapura. Puttalam is about 26 kilometres south, Colombo about 180 kilometres. Day tours also start from Negombo.Best TimeThe most popular visiting time is from February to October. Rain falls mainly in March and from December to February. Safaris are available all year round.

    Accommodations in Wilpattu National Park

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    Nearby

    Anuradhapura

    Anuradhapura

    Anuradhapura was the capital of the Sinhalese kings for over a millennium and remains to this day one of the holiest cities of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Huge dagobas, monastery ruins, and the Sri Maha Bodhi, considered the oldest human-planted tree with a known planting date, attract pilgrims and travelers alike.The city lies about 205 kilometers north of Colombo, at the northern edge of the Cultural Triangle. Since the 1949 protection plan, the sacred Old Town with its ruins and the New Town to its east, with government offices, the railway station, and most accommodations, have been separated.The city was the royal seat from the 4th century BC until the end of the 10th century. Since 1982, the Sacred City of Anuradhapura is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. East of the city lies the pilgrim mountain Mihintale.
    Culture Triad

    Culture Triad

    The Cultural Triangle in the dry central north of the island brings together Sri Lanka's most significant ancient cities and sanctuaries, nestled between Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Dambulla. Those interested in early Sinhalese history will find several UNESCO World Heritage Sites here in a compact area, alongside national parks featuring large elephant herds.The region lies north of Kandy, with Anuradhapura approximately 205 kilometres north of Colombo. Sigiriya and Dambulla, owing to their central position, serve as convenient starting points for day trips.
    Dambulla

    Dambulla

    Dambulla is a market town in the heart of the Cultural Triangle, renowned for its cave temple featuring 153 Buddha statues and approximately 2,100 square meters of wall paintings. Situated on the main road to Anuradhapura and close to Sigiriya, the town also serves as a convenient transport hub for the region.The cave temple is located at the foot and on the flank of a rock that rises 150 to 160 meters above the plain. Below it stands the golden Buddha statue of the newer temple and museum complex, separate from the historic site. The town center, with its bus station and shops, stretches along the main thoroughfares, while to the southwest, on the road to Kurunegala, lie the megalithic tombs of Ibbankatuwa.According to tradition, King Valagamba found refuge in the caves for 15 years in the 1st century BCE and later had them converted into a temple. Since 1991, the complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    North

    North

    The North of Sri Lanka comprises the Northern Province with its capital Jaffna and the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu, and Vavuniya. You travel here to experience the country's Tamil culture: Hindu temples, unique cuisine, and flat islands off the coast.At its narrowest point, the province is only about 35 kilometers from India. Near Mannar, Adam's Bridge, a chain of limestone islands, almost connects the coast to the Indian mainland.
    Sigiriya

    Sigiriya

    Sigiriya is an approximately 180-meter-high granite rock in the Cultural Triangle, on whose summit plateau King Kashyapa had his palace built in the 5th century. The rock fortress, with water gardens, frescoes, and the Lion Gate, is one of Sri Lanka's most famous archaeological sites and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1982.The rock is located near the city of Dambulla. At the foot of the complex lies Sigiriya village, with accommodations and restaurants along a main road. Just under a kilometer north rises Pidurangala Rock, from which you can look out over Sigiriya.Kashyapa reigned, according to common dating, from 477 to 495 and made the rock both his palace and capital. The ascent leads through garden and terrace complexes, past the Mirror Wall and the Fresco Gallery to the Lion Gate, and from there up stairs to the plateau.

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