Wilpattu National Park · Sri Lanka
Comfortable stays and expert-guided jeep safaris at the gateway to Sri Lanka's largest national park.
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Kumbukwila · Wilpattu
Touch the water to feel it
01 · A day in Wilpattu
Dawn
29 moments from our drives, from first light to long after dark. Every photo sits at the time it was taken.
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The gates open in the half-light. Mist on the tracks, and the leopards are still out from the night.
Deer graze the open plains, and every branch seems to hold a bird.
Heat settles over the villus. Animals come to the water - and the raptors watch them do it.
The best light of the day. Elephants, bears and leopards step out as it cools.
The spotlight comes on. A whole different cast lives out here after dark.
05:30 tomorrow
Morning, full day or after dark - pick the safari that fits, and we'll be waiting at the gate.
02 · Resort
Comfortable, air-conditioned rooms with garden views, a short drive from the park gate. Start the day with a buffet breakfast - vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and Asian options available - then head out on safari with pick-up arranged, or stay back and relax in the garden by the outdoor fireplace.
The room
3 rooms available - two adjoining rooms, great for families or groups, and one standalone cabana-style room for extra privacy.
21 m² · 1 extra-large double bed
Air-conditioned, with a private bathroom and bath, a terrace with garden and courtyard views, a minibar and free WiFi.
03 · Inside Wilpattu
Land of lakes
Wilpattu means "land of lakes". Nearly sixty villus - natural, sand-rimmed lakes that fill with the monsoon rains - are scattered through the forest. They are the park's lifeline, and the best place to wait as leopards, sloth bears and elephants come down to drink.
Thambapanni
On the park's western coast, the headland of Kudiramalai ("horse hill") is traditionally identified with Thambapanni - where Prince Vijaya is said to have landed around 543 BC, the opening of Sri Lanka's recorded history in the Mahavamsa chronicle.
See the full-day safariRuins and legend
Deep in the forest lie ruins linked to Kuweni, the island queen who, in the legend, met Prince Vijaya when he came ashore. Today it is a quiet, atmospheric stop - stone remains under the trees, and one of the oldest stories in Sri Lanka.
See the full-day safari
Panthera pardus kotiya
Wilpattu is one of the best places in the world to see the Sri Lankan leopard, the island's top predator. With no larger cats to compete with, they are often out in daylight - resting on the sandy roads or walking the edges of the villus.
Plan your trip
Safaris run from early morning until 6 pm through most of the year. The drier months - roughly February to October - shrink the villus and draw animals into the open, which gives the best sightings. A full day lets you reach the coast and the far lakes.
04 · Safari
A relaxed half-day game drive through Wilpattu's lakes and forest trails with an experienced tracker.
Included
The complete Wilpattu experience: dawn to dusk with the best chance of leopard, sloth bear and elephant sightings.
Included
A spotlight drive through Wilpattu's buffer zone - village roads, rural routes and abandoned lake areas - when the area's nocturnal wildlife comes out.
Included
On the tracks
Tap a photo to see more from our drives.
Wildlife is wild - sightings can't be guaranteed, but our trackers know where to look.
05 · Activities
A guided walk around the grounds and the surrounding countryside.
Explore the area around Wilpattu at your own pace.
A traditional boat ride - ask at check-in to arrange one.
Want to arrange one? Ask us on WhatsApp.
Half Day Safari (4.5 hours): Morning 6:00am - 10:30am, or Evening 1:30pm - 6:00pm. Full Day Safari (10 hours): 6:00am - 6:00pm. Night Safari (3 hours): Evening 7:30pm - 10:30pm.
Prices are in US dollars, per person, and drop as your group grows - from $45 up to $140 per person depending on the safari and group size. See the full price list in the Safari section above.
Included: Entrance ticket, Park taxes, Bird guide book reference, Mammals guide book reference, Cool box, Refreshment pack, Hotel pick up and drop off (within 7km). The Night Safari runs in the buffer zone outside the park, so it has no park entrance ticket or taxes.
Yes - pick-up and drop-off from hotels within 7 km is included. Staying further away? Message us and we will work something out.
Yes - on the full-day safari, breakfast and lunch inside the park can be arranged on request. Just let us know when you book.
No one can promise it - wildlife is wild - but Wilpattu is one of the best places in the world to see the Sri Lankan leopard, and our trackers know where to look. A full-day safari gives you the best chance.
A hat, sunscreen, neutral-coloured clothes, a light layer for the early morning, binoculars and your camera. We bring a cool box and refreshments.
The drier months - roughly February to October - draw animals to the shrinking lakes and usually give the best sightings. Early morning and late afternoon are the most active times of day.
Send us an enquiry with the form below, or message us on WhatsApp at +94 71 288 4790. We will reply with availability and confirm the details.
07 · Book
Tell us what you have in mind - a safari, a stay at Wilpattu Megha Resort, or both - and roughly when. We'll reply with availability and the best way to plan it.
Chat on WhatsApp +94 71 288 4790
