Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park (Willu-pattu; Land of Lakes) is a park located on the island of Sri Lanka. A unique feature of Wilpattu national park is that the entire park is dotted with large sand rimmed natural lakes known as “Villus” and sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. Nearly sixty lakes can be found in side this national Park.it also famous for its leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) population, and also for its archaeological and historical importance. About 500 years before the birth of Christ it is believed that Prince Vijaya from India and his followers landed in a place called Thambapanni in the North West corner of Wilpattu and formed the Sinhalese kingdom. There are many types of vegetation to be found in Wilpattu, including littoral vegetation, such as salt grass and low scrub monsoon forest with tall emergents, such as palu (Manilkara hexandra), and satin (Chloroxylon swietenia), milla (Vitex altissima), weera (Drypetes sepiaria), ebony. Also 31 species of mamals can be found that are identified as threatened species. Some of them are sloth bear, water buffalo, sambhur, mongoose, spotted dear etc. many variety of birds and reptiles also can be found in this national park. Park is located in Northwest coast lowlands of Sri Lanka and approximately 180 KM away from Colombo. Nearest cities to the park are Anuradhapura and Puttalam. The best time to visit Wilpattu is during the months of February and October. There are a few private eco-tourism groups that show tourists around the park in Safari like trips