The Wilpattu National Park is situated in the Northwestern part of the country, and is one of the largest and oldest wildlife sanctuaries in the island. The name itself is derived from the Sinhala term for “Natural lakes”, and also from the Tamil term for “Ten lakes”.
Staying true to its name, Wilpattu is blessed with an abundance of natural, rain-filled lakes surrounded by open grasslands. These lakes which are each named and have their own significance contribute to what makes Wilpattu stand out in Sri Lanka.
Wildlife
All you need to know
As this is a National Park that is filled with wild animals, the only way you can access it is by going through in a jeep. If you don’t have a jeep, a safari jeep could be rented out along with a driver.
Trackers are allocated to each party that enters the park, and they will show you how to get around, and will answer any questions you have about the wildlife around you.
The best time to visit Wilpattu would be from February to October. There are some Safari Tours which even provide you with the opportunity to camp inside the jungle.
What you’ll see
With its many wetlands, Wilpattu is also known for its greenery. In fact, most of the park is covered by dense forest, and over 100 species of plants thrive within it; some of which are endemic. The plants range from deceiving fruits that look delicious but are actually poisonous to trees with leaves that defy gravity. It is quite literally full of life.
With the never ending greenery comes the perfect habitat for a variety of animals to live in. Mammals like the endangered Sri Lankan leopard, spotted deer, sloth bears, elephants and more can be found within the park.
Wilpattu is definitely one of the best spots in the country for bird watchers, as both residential and migratory birds roam the area. Some of the birds here are also endemic, like the jungle fowl; which is the national bird of the country. Other birds include painted storks, crested hawk eagles, serpent eagles, blue tailed bee eaters and more.
Butterflies too are part of the life within the park; ranging from blue mormons to great orange tips. One of the most exciting, but not very well known experiences one could have in Wilpattu is driving under the canopy that’s created by the thick forest, and watching as hundreds of little white butterflies fly around your vehicle. This kaleidoscope of butterflies stretches on for a few hundred metres, and feels like a scene taken out of a fairytale.
Besides present life, Wilpattu also has a strong significance in the history of Sri Lanka, and the historical ruins to stand by it. Prince Vijaya from India became Sri Lanka’s first recorded visitor, and eventually the first king to rule the land. He landed in Kudirai Malai; which is a part of Wilpattu. He married a woman named Kuweni, and the remains of her palace can be seen inside the park. Dripledges on caves, and the remains of alters too add to all the evidence that there was an ancient civilization before the forest took over.
The Wilpattu National Park appears to meet the needs of a broad spectrum of people; from bird watchers to history lovers. Overall, it’s great for nature- lovers. This park is as close as you can get to being one with nature, which is why it’s definitely worth visiting.
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