The protected area was opened in 1938 – with an area of 1317 km², the Wilpattu National Park is around twice the size of the city-state of Hamburg and more than four times the size of Munich.

Wilpattu has a completely different character than the well-known and now much-visited Yala Park on the south east coast. Around 200 elephants, numerous crocodiles, many sambar deer and, as the main attraction, around 40 leopards cavort in the water-rich jungle area. Although the visitor needs a bit of luck to see one of the elegant big cats.

But even without leopards, the tour through the park, often with very old jeeps and mostly very nice drivers who don’t speak a word of English, is an experience. Wilpattu was a retreat for the Tamil rebels during the civil war and today, to use a buzzword, is authentic: less commercial, quieter and more scenic than Yala, for example.

Although this protected area is no longer an insider tip like Minneriya Park, it is still a wonderful natural experience – and a great contrast to the nearby cultural highlight Anuradhapura.

Outdoor freaks are catered for by operators such as “Wilpattu Safari Game Drives and Safari Camping Specialist”
(www.wilpattunationalpark.com) who offer tailor-made safari tours with their own fleet of vehicles and work together with experienced wildlife experts.

The on-site restaurant scene is still quite manageable. In Puttalam, the next largest town, romantics can enjoy the nostalgic ambience and the good curry of the Puttalum Resthouse. Higher demands are satisfied in the most pleasant way at the Dolphin Beach Resort in Kalpitiy, which is located on the western shore of the Puttalam Lagoon, around 60 kilometers from Wilpattu National Park – the detour is worthwhile.