Wilpattu National Park – a place you can experience nature to the fullest. A paradise for wildlife photographers!
Wilpattu National Park is a protected area located in the northwest of Sri Lanka. It is the largest and oldest national park on the island, covering an area of approximately 131,693 hectares.
As the name implies, “Wilpattu” means ‘village of villu”. Villus is a subset of the wetland ecosystem unique to Wilpattu National Park. Villus are shallow circular-shaped water bodies surrounded by sand and grassy patches.
They collect rainwater and sustain it for several months but some villus dries out completely during the dry season. There are over 50 villus within the park and it gives a spectacular view of the landscape with many animals such as sambar deer and spotted deer.
The park is known for its diverse landscape, which includes dense jungle, grasslands, and wetlands, as well as a large number of ancient tanks, or reservoirs, that were built by the ancient Sinhalese people.
“Wipattu National Park is home to a large number of mammal species, including elephants, leopards, sloth bears, and sambar deer.”
Wilpattu National Park is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. The park is home to a large number of mammal species, including elephants, leopards, sloth bears, and sambar deer. The park is also home to a wide variety of bird species, including the painted stork, black-necked stork, and the spot-billed pelican.
The park also has a large number of reptiles, including crocodiles and monitor lizards. The park is also home to a wide variety of fish species, including the red-fin labeo, the mahseer, and the catla.
The park is also home to a number of ancient ruins and historical sites, including the ancient city of Kudiramalai, which was an important trade center during the time of the ancient Sinhalese kingdoms.
The park also has a number of hiking trails, which offer visitors the opportunity to explore the park’s diverse landscape and learn about its history and culture.
Wilpattu National Park is open to visitors year-round, and visitors can take guided tours of the park to explore its diverse ecosystem and learn about its plant and animal life.
Visitors can also visit the Wilpattu National Park Visitor Center, which provides information on the park’s ecology and history.
The park is a nature lover’s paradise, offering visitors the opportunity to explore a diverse and biodiverse ecosystem.
It is also an important ecological resource for the country, providing vital ecosystem services such as water provision and maintaining biodiversity. The park is a must-see destination for any visitor to Sri Lanka who is interested in nature and conservation.