Hotels and places to stay around Wilpattu, Sri Lanka

Hotels in Wilpattu

Wilpattu is Sri Lanka's largest national park, a quiet landscape of forest and natural lakes, or villus, in the north-west. It sees far fewer jeeps than Yala, which is why people love it. Accommodation near the park is limited, and our recommendation is a tented camp on the boundary.

Hotels in Wilpattu

Leopard Trails Wilpattu

Leopard Trails runs a luxury tented camp just outside the park. With guided drives from the camp, it is the best way to spend two or three days looking for leopards and sloth bears without long drives each morning.

At a glance

HotelAreaStyle
Leopard Trails WilpattuPark boundaryLuxury tented camp

Other options

If you prefer a beach base, Kalpitiya is close enough for a day safari. From Anuradhapura, the main entrance is about an hour away, so a long day trip is possible from hotels in Anuradhapura.

When to go

The dry months, roughly May to September, are usually best for sightings, when animals gather at the remaining water. Wildlife is never guaranteed, and the park can close for short periods after heavy rain.

Read about a Wilpattu safari or see our Wilpattu guide.

Safari tips

  • Wilpattu's roads are sandy and slow, so a full day lets you reach the quieter villus deep in the park.
  • Bring a hat, sunscreen, water and binoculars.
  • Leopards are often seen resting in trees or on the edges of the villus in the early morning.

Getting there

The main entrance at Hunuwilagama is about four hours by road from Colombo. Most visitors come from Anuradhapura, Kalpitiya or the Cultural Triangle.