Wilpattu National Park is the Land of Lakes.
Wilpattu National Park is a protected area located in Sri Lanka that covers an area of 1,317 square kilometres. The park is situated in the dry zone and ranges from 0 to 152 meters above sea level. Its most distinctive feature is the existence of “Willus,” which are natural sand-rimmed water basins that fill with rainwater. Wilpattu is the largest and one of the oldest national parks in Sri Lanka, and it is home to almost sixty lakes and tanks. The park is considered the second-best after Yala for leopards, with 16 leopards per 100 square kilometres. Additionally, visitors can spot other animals such as sloth bears, spotted deer, wild pigs, and crocodiles. Bird enthusiasts can also enjoy a diverse range of dry forest, water, and coastal birds in Wilpattu National Park.
The Leopard Paradise.
Wilpattu is a famous tourist destination known for its population of leopards, particularly the Panthera pardus kotiya species. In a survey conducted by the Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust between July and October 2015, 49 leopards were photographed in a remote area. The core area’s density was similar to that of Block I in Yala National Park and Horton Plains National Park. Wilpattu is situated approximately 180 km north of Colombo, 30 km west of Anuradhapura and 26 km north of Puttalam. It’s a must-visit place during your holiday in Sri Lanka, and you should check out Wilpattu Park.
Wilpattu is the biggest national park in Sri Lanka, covering an area of 1317 sq km. It’s found in dense, dry woodland and is home to a wide variety of wildlife such as leopards (with 16 leopards per 100 sq km, it’s the second-best park for spotting them after Yala), sloth bears, spotted deer, wild pigs and crocodiles. Birdwatchers will especially enjoy Wilpattu due to the abundance of dry forest, water, and even coastal birds.
