Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest national park, is renowned for its unique landscapes of lakes, dense forests, and open plains. Located in the northwest, it’s a prime destination for leopard sightings, though its elusive population makes encounters rare. The park is also home to elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, and wild boars. Birdwatchers can enjoy spotting over 200 species of birds, including eagles and painted storks. The best time to visit is during the dry season (May–September), when wildlife gathers around water sources, making sightings easier.

Wilpattu is 180 km from Colombo (about 3-4 hours by car) and 50 km from Anuradhapura (1.5–2 hours). Safari tours are the best way to explore the park, with its main entrance at Maha Weli. Nearby attractions include Anuradhapura and Mannar Island.