Our most recommended things to do in Northern Province, Sri Lanka

Wilpattu National Park: Leopard Safari Experience in a 4x4

1. Wilpattu National Park: Leopard Safari Experience in a 4x4

After being picked up from your hotel in the Wilpattu area or Park Entrance you will enter Wilpattu National Park to explore the Willus, light forests, scrubs, grasslands, lagoons, and magnificent range of animals. With your private 4WD Jeep and expert guide, the ‘Golden Hours’ of the day will be used to focus on leopard spotting, either the first 2 hours or the last 2 hours of the day. Throughout this safari, you will search for the world’s most concentrated number of leopards, sloth bears, and elephants, as your knowledgable guide and driver expertly navigates the vast area and roads. The morning tour will begin at 5.30am from your hotel, to take in sunrise as the park opens at 6am. Whilst the afternoon option allows you to explore from 2pm until sunset when the park closes at 6pm. Leopards, elephants, water buffalo, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted deer, peacocks, and crocodiles can all be found in this rich environment.

From Anuradhapura: Full-Day Wilpattu National Park Safari

2. From Anuradhapura: Full-Day Wilpattu National Park Safari

Discover the unique landscape of the Wilpattu National Park as you look out for its resident leopards and other wildlife. Enjoy a fantastic full-day safari on a private tour from Anuradhapura. Get picked up at your hotel and relax in air-conditioned comfort on the journey to the park. Enjoy breakfast, then hop into a jeep to start your game drive through a reserve known for its large leopard population. Ride along forest trails as you look out for animals and admire the natural lakes that give Wilpattu a genuine wilderness feeling.  A delicious picnic lunch will be served at a scenic location. After lunch, continue to explore the dense woodland, looking out for birds, sloth bears, spotted deer, wild pigs, and crocodiles. Visitor numbers are low, even in high season, so you can see incredible wildlife without the crowds.

Wilpattu National Park: 3-Hour Morning or Evening Safari

3. Wilpattu National Park: 3-Hour Morning or Evening Safari

Go on a thrilling 3-hour morning or evening safari adventure in Wilpattu National Park, the largest national park in Sri Lanka. Capture unforgettable sights of a diverse range of flora and fauna, and an outstanding array of wildlife that charms travelers from all around the world.  Explore the stunning scenery and incredibly abundant wildlife overlooking the dazzling dry tropical rainforest and the silver-blue small water pools. Take in the sights of mighty elephants as well as views of spotted deer, barking deer, jackals, sambhar, wild pig, and water buffalo. Apart from the mammals, your safari can guarantee you ample opportunity for spotting incredibly beautiful swamps of butterflies saturated with vivid colors including great egg fly, great orange tip, glad-eye bushbrown, blue Mormon, common Mormon, crimson rose, and more. Thanks to the stunning coastal belt, shallow lakes, dense scrublands, treeless grasslands, and thick forests, catch a variety of wildlife during your safari experience. The small water bodies scattered around the park are a prominent feature that enhances the photographic character of the park, while also attracting a variety of aquatic birds and reptiles.

Wilpattu National Park Safari Tour from Negombo

4. Wilpattu National Park Safari Tour from Negombo

Spend a day at the largest and one of the oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka - Wilpattu, which is also among the top national parks and world-renowned for its leopard population. The park is unique to others in the country with its dense country woodland and masses of birds, lying inland from the coast in the Northern Province. Meet your guide at your accommodation in Negombo and begin your journey around 6:00 AM. Reach Wilpattu National Park after approximately 4 hours. Wilpattu is 508 square miles (131.694 hectares) and was declared as a National Park in 1938. The special feature of this park is the large number of Villus (lakes), where you can watch wildlife and many species of birds. Leopards and elephant herds are the most famous animals in the park. Spotted Deer, Sambhur, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, Sloth Bear, Mongoose, Crocodile, and Peacocks are also found here. After your safari, enjoy a local lunch at the Puttalam Hotel then return to your accommodation. 

Wilpattu National Park: Morning or Evening Leopard Safari

5. Wilpattu National Park: Morning or Evening Leopard Safari

05.30/ 14.30: Begin your adventure with a pick-up from your hotel in Anuradhapura, as you prepare to journey to Wilpattu National Park. 06. 00/ 15.00: Embark on an exhilarating half-day safari at Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka's largest national park spanning 130,000 hectares. The safari, lasting approximately 3 to 4 hours, offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the country's most historic and significant national parks. Wilpattu is renowned worldwide for its leopard population, making it a truly exceptional safari experience. What sets Wilpattu apart is the presence of "Willus" (Natural lakes), creating a wilderness atmosphere that is unmatched. Keep a lookout for sloth bears, crocodiles, spotted deer, and wild pigs, as they are frequently spotted during the safari. Throughout the excursion, water bottles and light cuisine will be provided for your convenience. 09.30/ 18.00: As the safari comes to an end, make your way back to your hotel in Anuradhapura, reflecting on the remarkable wildlife encounters and the natural beauty experienced during your half-day adventure in Wilpattu National Park.

Wilpattu National Park Safari Tour from Colombo

6. Wilpattu National Park Safari Tour from Colombo

Benefit from pickup at your hotel in Colombo, and then relax in air-conditioned comfort on the 4-hour journey to Wilpattu National Park, located on the northwest coast of Sri Lanka's lowland dry zone. Enter the vast nature reserve, declared a national park in 1938, and discover the unique willus water basins that fill with rainwater. Look for native wildlife, including herds of elephants in their natural habitat. Keep a look out for elusive leopards, along with spotted deer, sambar deer, barking deer, wild boar, wild buffalo, sloth bear, mongoose, crocodiles, and peacocks. Get some free time to enjoy a local lunch at the nearby Puttalam Hotel, at your own expense. Then, relax on the journey back to Colombo and get dropped off at your hotel on arrival.

Anuradhapura: Evening or Morning Safari at Wilpattu Park

7. Anuradhapura: Evening or Morning Safari at Wilpattu Park

05.30/ 14.30: Begin your adventure with a pick-up from your hotel in Anuradhapura, as you prepare to journey to Wilpattu National Park. 06. 00/ 15.00: Embark on an exhilarating half-day safari at Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka's largest national park spanning 130,000 hectares. The safari, lasting approximately 3 to 4 hours, offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the country's most historic and significant national parks. Wilpattu is renowned worldwide for its leopard population, making it a truly exceptional safari experience. What sets Wilpattu apart is the presence of "Willus" (Natural lakes), creating a wilderness atmosphere that is unmatched. Keep a lookout for sloth bears, crocodiles, spotted deer, and wild pigs, as they are frequently spotted during the safari. Throughout the excursion, water bottles and light cuisine will be provided for your convenience. 09.30/ 18.00: As the safari comes to an end, make your way back to your hotel in Anuradhapura, reflecting on the remarkable wildlife encounters and the natural beauty experienced during your half-day adventure in Wilpattu National Park.

From Anuradhapura: Full Day Safari at Wilpattu National Park

8. From Anuradhapura: Full Day Safari at Wilpattu National Park

05.30 am: Begin your adventure with a pick-up from your hotel in Anuradhapura/ Wilpattu, as you prepare to embark on an exciting journey to Wilpattu National Park. 06.00 am: Experience a thrilling full-day safari at Wilpattu National Park, renowned for its high leopard density and vast size of 130,000 hectares. The safari, lasting approximately 7 to 8 hours, offers a unique opportunity to explore one of Sri Lanka's largest and historically significant national parks. Wilpattu is famous worldwide for its leopard population, and its safari experience sets it apart from other national parks. The park's distinguishing feature is the presence of "Willus" (Natural lakes), which add to the park's wilderness ambiance. Keep an eye out for sloth bears, crocodiles, spotted deer, and wild pigs, as they are frequently spotted during the safari. Throughout the day, water bottles and light cuisine will be provided to ensure your comfort and enjoyment. 05.00 pm: As the safari concludes, make your way back to your hotel in Anuradhapura, relishing the memories of an exhilarating day spent amidst the natural wonders of Wilpattu National Park.

Colombo: 8-Day Private Cultural Triangle & Wildlife Trip

9. Colombo: 8-Day Private Cultural Triangle & Wildlife Trip

Discover the best of Sri Lanka on an 8-day private trip to the Cultural Triangle. Experience game drives in Wilpattu and Minneriya National Park, visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura, and experience the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and Golden Temple complex. Day 1:Get picked up from Colombo, Negombo, or Bandaranaike International Airport and admire the beautiful scenery of Sri Lanka's North Western Province as you drive to Chilaw. Arrive in the coastal town of Chilaw, known for its stretching beaches and tall coconut trees, and spend the night in a 4-star hotel. Day 2:Wake up early in the morning with the sunrise and drive to Wilpattu National park. Spend a full day exploring one of the largest and oldest parks in Sri Lanka, world-renowned for its leopard population. Benefit from the expertise of the safari team as you go on a game drive through the park, observing rare animals in their natural habitat. Keep an eye out for leopards, mongooses, and water buffalo. Leave the national park and set off for Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka. Check into your 4-star hotel when you arrive in the city. Day 3:Take a little more time to relax in bed this morning, before getting up for a delicious breakfast, traditionally made up of kiribath, hoppers, and pani pol. Depart from the hotel and set off into the ancient city of Anuradhapura, making a visit to the well-preserved ruins of a Sinhala civilization. In the afternoon, climb up to Mihintale, once a dense jungle that was reserved by the royals as a hunting ground. Learn why the mountain peak is now referred to as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, as you enter a Buddhist monastery. Return to your hotel in Anuradhapura and settle down for the evening. Day 4: Tuck into another Sri Lankan breakfast in the morning and get ready for an adventure to the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Polonnaruwa Ancient City. Arrive at the archaeological site and discover the monumental ruins of the stunning garden city, created in the 12th century. Drive on from Polonnaruwa, making a stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress of great historical significance. Rest for the night at a 4-star hotel in Sigiriya. Day 5: Enjoy a late breakfast, then be driven to a rural village for an authentic experience of traditional Sri Lankan life. Take in scenic views on a short walk, before getting into a bullock cart for a ride across the countryside. Arrive at a picturesque lake and trade off the wheels for a sail as you cruise across the waters on a catamaran tour. Disembark from the boat in the afternoon and get driven to Minneriya National Park. See Sri Lankan wildlife in a different light on an evening game drive, with "oohs" and "ahhs" as Asian elephants stomp by the 4x4 in the sunset. Return to your 4-star hotel in Sigiriya. Day 6: Finish off your breakfast and make your way to Dambulla. Be absolutely blown away as you delve into the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and Golden Temple complex. Explore this cave temple complex, the largest and best-preserved in Sri Lanka, containing five caves with 157 statues and over 2000 meters of intricately painted walls and ceilings. Make a visit to Pidurangala, the tallest mountain in the country, and view the Buddhist monastery settled upon the slopes. Learn about the history of the monastery and how monks have made use of the sacred site. Return to your 4-star hotel in Sigiriya. Day 7: Try something new this morning at breakfast and fuel up for your day. Leave Sigiriya and drive to Matale to observe a wood carving demonstration at a local factory. Discover more local traditions as you make a visit to the spice garden. Watch a live cooking demonstration with fresh spices and learn about how they are grown. Join a guided tour of Kandy in the afternoon, home to many tea plantations, sacred Buddhist sites, and biodiverse rainforest land. Finish your tour and check into a 4-star hotel in Kandy for the night. Day 8:Think back on your memories of the trip over a final Sri Lankan breakfast. Say goodbye to your new friends and helpful guides, before being transferred back to your accommodations.

All-Inclusive - Full-Day Safari in Wilpattu National Park

10. All-Inclusive - Full-Day Safari in Wilpattu National Park

Prepare yourself for an unforgettable journey through the untamed wilderness of Wilpattu, where you'll have the opportunity to witness magnificent wildlife and immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty of the surroundings. Our experienced and knowledgeable guide will pick you up from your hotel bright and early, ensuring we make the most of the day ahead. We'll embark on a scenic drive to Wilpattu National Park, located in the northwest coast of Sri Lanka, known for its diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife. As we enter the park, get ready to be awestruck by the sheer size and raw beauty of Wilpattu. Spanning over 1,300 square kilometers, this sprawling wilderness is home to an impressive array of flora and fauna, including majestic elephants, stealthy leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, and a wide variety of bird species. Our expert guide will skillfully navigate the rugged terrain, taking you on a safari adventure like no other. Keep your cameras ready as we venture deep into the park, exploring its numerous lakes, open grasslands, and dense forested areas, each offering a unique glimpse into the lives of the animals that call this place home. As we traverse through the park, our guide will share their knowledge about the different species we encounter, providing fascinating insights into their behaviors, habitats, and conservation efforts. You'll have ample opportunities to capture stunning photographs and create lasting memories of your encounters with these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. During our safari, we'll take breaks at strategic locations, allowing you to stretch your legs and savor a delicious picnic lunch amidst the pristine wilderness. Take a moment to soak in the tranquility of the surroundings and reflect on the incredible sights you've witnessed so far. Throughout the day, the captivating sights, sounds, and scents of Wilpattu will enchant you, creating a truly immersive experience in the heart of nature. The interplay of light and shadow, the rustling of leaves, and the symphony of bird calls will transport you to a world untouched by time. As the sun begins to set, signaling the end of our adventure, we'll make our way back to your hotel, filled with memories of an exhilarating day spent in the wild. Reflect on the awe-inspiring beauty and diverse wildlife you've encountered, knowing that you have experienced the magic of Wilpattu National Park firsthand. Join us on the "Wilpattu Full Day Safari" tour for an unforgettable wildlife expedition, immersing yourself in the untamed splendor of one of Sri Lanka's most iconic national parks. Get ready to embark on an adventure that will leave you with a deep appreciation for the wonders of nature and a treasure trove of unforgettable memories.

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What people are saying about Northern Province, Sri Lanka

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 13 reviews

The day was well organised. Transport to and from the park worked well. Our driver, in the park, was knowledgeable about a wide range of the wildlife and sensitive to our interests, meaning we saw and identified over forty species (mostly birds), but including elephant, leopard and sloth bear. A very good breakfast and lunch were provided. We ate breakfast in a peaceful spot with a panoramic view of one of the lakes. Would highly recommend this trip.

Booked this, thoroughly enjoyed - managed to see all the animals listed (except a bear). Lots of driving, but car was clean, comfortable and air conditioned. The company was accommodating and we asked to start at 8am, (instead of 9:30) and this wasn’t a problem.

Incredible Safari, saw lots of animals including leopards, elephants, bear, crocodiles, monkeys and more! Comfortable ride to and from Colombo.