Wildlife

Wilpattu National Park

Northern Province 4.4
06:00 to 18:00 $42 to 45 $$$ Family-friendly

Wilpattu National Park is sri Lanka’s largest park, named for its “villus” (natural lakes), quieter than Yala, with leopards, sloth bears and a wild, forested feel. Getting there: 3 hrs north of Colombo; near Anuradhapura. Open 06:00 to 18:00. It lies in Sri Lanka's North region.

Best on a dawn or dusk safari. Book a jeep and keep a respectful distance.

Good to know

Hours06:00 to 18:00
Getting there3 hrs north of Colombo; near Anuradhapura.
Get around Trains, buses & Metro · Journey times

Make a day of it

2 stops nearby · ~26 km · approx $25/person

  1. 1 Wilpattu National Park You’re here
  2. 2 Pukkulam Fishing Point 18.8 km

Rough per-person estimate from sourced rates (PickMe/km, meals, entry). Confirm locally.

Directions Open the route in Google Maps

Nearby

Pukkulam Fishing Point ★ 3.0 18.8 km away Wilpattu Sineth Naturalist22.2 kmWilpattu Sineth NaturalistLeopard Trails Wilpattu23.8 kmLeopard Trails WilpattuNeriyakulam Railway Station38.9 kmNeriyakulam Railway StationAbhayagiriya39 kmAbhayagiriyaGalwila Eco Park, Forest Department39.3 kmGalwila Eco Park, Forest Department

More like this

Help Green42.1 kmHelp GreenPandukabhaya playground children park42.4 kmPandukabhaya playground children parkMadhu Road National Park52.6 kmMadhu Road National Park

Related reads

Sri Lanka wildlife calendar: what to see, where, month by month Leopards, the great elephant Gathering, blue whales, nesting turtles and a continent… Sri Lanka Festivals & Seasons: What to Plan a Trip Around Sri Lanka runs on lunar months and two monsoons. The events worth planning around, f…

Common questions

How do I get to Wilpattu National Park?

3 hrs north of Colombo; near Anuradhapura.

What are the opening hours at Wilpattu National Park?

Wilpattu National Park is open 06:00 to 18:00. Hours can change on poya days and public holidays, so confirm before you travel.

Is Wilpattu National Park suitable for children?

Yes. Wilpattu National Park works well for families, though younger children will need supervision and shade breaks.

Is Wilpattu National Park wheelchair accessible?

No. Wilpattu National Park involves steps or uneven ground and is not step-free, so it is difficult for wheelchair users.

How current is this information?

These details were last verified in 2026-06. Time-sensitive details such as fees and opening hours should always be confirmed with the official source before you travel.

Last verified: 2026-06 Source ↗