Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park that lies on the northwest coast spans the border between North Central Province and North Western Province of Sri Lanka. It is the largest wildlife sanctuaries in Sri Lanka broad range of not less than 131 693 hectares with altitudes ranging between sea level and 152 meters. A unique complex of more than 50 wetlands called “Villu” is the most prominent topographic feature of the national park. It ranges from about 2 to 400 hectares, scattered around the park, the largest water tank. ‘Villu’ is a shallow natural lakes filled with rainwater which is surrounded by an open meadow in the middle of a dense forest of scrub.

Situated in the dry zone, the annual temperature in the park is between 27 ° C to 30 ° C average annual rainfall of about 1000 mm. However, the park with its dense forests and glimmering little lakes, feels all but dry. This is due to the pattern of monsoon rainfall and 2 of this area receive. Rainiest time of year is from September to December the north-east monsoon falls in Wilpattu, and inter-rainy season is between March and April. Drought period extends from May to early September.

Wilpattu declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1905. On 25 February 1938, the sanctuary elevated to the status of the National Wildlife Park. On 7 November 1947, the northern region is declared Wilpattu as Wilpattu North Sanctuary.

The best time to visit the Wilpattu National Park is during the months of February and October. Wilpattu National Park has a good network of gravel road, especially between water holes.

Wilpattu National Park consists of three types of vegetation: coastal vegetation, including salt grass and low scrub directly adjacent to the beach; 5-10 km coastal belt of the monsoon scrub very low stature; and further inland, the wooded forest with high emergents, such as Palu (Manilkara hexandra) and Satin (Chloroxylon Swietenia), Milla (Vitex altissima), Weera (Drypetes sepiaria), Ebony (Disopyros ebenum) and Wewarna (Alseodaphne semecapriflolia). Some 73% of the park is dense forest or scrub and the rest are more open habitats.

Wilpattu National Park varied natural habitats; coastal belt, natural lake (villus), rocky outcrops, scrublands, open grasslands and dense forests provide a variety of animal species. Among the 31 species of mammals. The Wilpattu is interesting Leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya) and Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus). In addition to these two mammals, Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, jackals, sambhur, mouse deer Wild Pig, Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and Mugger Crocodile. Butterflies are recorded include Great Eggfly, Blue Mormon, Common Mormon, Common Rose Great Orange Tip, Glad-eyes Bushbrown, Blue Mormon, Common Mormon, Common Rose and the Crimson Rose.

Countless species of birds can be found and the park plays host to many winter migrant from November to March, while the menacing crocodiles on the list of reptiles. Also roaming on the grasslands are Star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) at Wilpattu. In the large Villus are Pond turtle (Melanonchelys trijuga) and the Soft shelled turtle (Lissemys punctata).

Best time of the day to visit the park 6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 6 PM.