Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka

 

Where to Stay:

We have yet to figure it out. We have only been once and weren't happy with the place we stayed, so we will try again. 

Safaris:

Despite not enjoying our lodging, we LOVED our experience in Wilpattu National Park. Most of the lodging is outside the park, and the park is enormous, so it takes a good 45 minutes to get from any lodging point into the heart of the park. Wilpattu is full of gorgeous landscapes, so just sit back and enjoy the gorgeous 45min ride through the forest. Another reward for visiting Sri Lanka's largest national park and one of its least visited is not having to fight the crowds. When you have a magical leopard sighting, you will likely be the only one there to witness it!

You will likely arrange your safari transport through whichever lodge you decide to stay with, and they will pick you up and bring you to the park. As you enter the park, you will stop to pay your park fee and then continue on into the park. 

Wildlife:

Wilpattu National Park is known for their leopard population. From a recent article: "The study captured visuals of not just leopards but various wildlife. In total, the study captured 133 individual leopards (each leopard has unique spot patterns that make them identifiable to a large degree). Using the data found, the overall leopard population at the Wilpattu National Park was estimated to be approximately 355 leopards, with a female-male ratio of 1.5:1." 

The toque macaque is a reddish-brown-colored Old World monkey endemic to Sri Lanka. They live in large groups and can be quite a nuisance if you try to stop for a picnic in the park. Avoid the picnic areas for food stops; however, if you want to get some close-up photos of these guys, then the picnic areas are great.

Ruddy Mongoose, native to the hill country of Sri Lanka and India. It is a feisty little animal that can kill a cobra when threatened. 

The Sri Lankan axis deer or Ceylon spotted deer is a subspecies of axis deer that inhabits only Sri Lanka, and it has spots resembling a baby deer. The male also has large horns that make them look like reindeer.

The Sri Lankan Barking Deer is among the smallest deer species. Male Sri Lankan Barking Deer have horns that stick out of sheaths of skin, almost resembling a protruding bone. They get their name from supposedly making a barking sound when frightened. 

A Bengal monitor Lizard also called a land monitor lizard, is the most commonly seen reptile in Wilpattu. They are often seen along the roads and sunbathing in open areas. Even though they are mostly seen on the ground, they are quite good at climbing trees.