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About Sri Lanka
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About Sri Lanka - Wilpattu National Park
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Regions: ancient-cities Main Article: Sri Lanka National Parks | | Wilpattu is one of the oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka Located in Northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka. The park lies within the North-central & North-western providences, 26 km north of Puttalam (approximately 180 km north of Colombo) spanning from the northwest coast inland towards the ancient capital of Anuradhapura (50 km to the east of the park). Covering an impressive 425 sq miles, the park is Sri Lanka’s largest. Having reopened in March, 2010 it is just a matter of time before it becomes a popular eco-tourism destination.
Nature
The area of the park is 131693 ha. The park consists of willus (Natural lakes), dry-lowland forests, scrublands, open grasslands and coastal belt. Characteristic feature of the park is that majority of park area is covered with dense forest. Though situated in the dry zone, the climate inside the Wilpattu National Park is very unlike that of the dry zone. Upon entering the densely wooded Park, a feeling of going to a forest with abundant water is what enters the mind. This is perhaps explained by the patterns of rainfall it experiences. The period between September to December is known as the rainy season at Wilpattu with the north eastern monsoon falling heavily. Inter monsoon rains come to Wilpattu between March and April. The period of drought extends from May to early September. The mean annual temperature at Wilpattu National Park is about 27C. Mean annual rainfall at Wilpattu National Park is about 1000 mm.
The vegetation dominated by tree species such as Palu (Manilkara hexandra), Weera (Drypetes sepiaria) & Satin (Chloroxylon swietenia). Milla (Vitex altissima), Ebony (Diospyros ebenum) and Wewarana (Alseodaphne semecaprifolia) are also found in fair numbers.
Wildlife
A total of 31 species of mammals have been identified at the Wilpattu national park. Mammals threatened with extinction are also there. Mammals that identified as the threatened species living within the Wilpattu National Park. At the Wilpattu National Park, Elephants, leopards, sloth bear, water buffalo and spotted deer are among the large mammals. Coastal belt and willus support abundant birdlife such as painted storks, white ibis, open bills, Whistling teals, spoonbills, cormorants and kingfishers. Apart from them serpent eagles, great racket tail Drongo, Malabar pied hornbills, crested hawk eagles & Sri Lanka junglefowls are commonly seen.
At Wilpattu National Park, among the reptiles found the most common are the Monitor (Varanus bengalensis), Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), Common cobra (Naja naja), Rat snake (Ptyas mucosus), Indian python (Python molurus), Pond turtle (Melanonchelys trijuga) and the Soft shelled turtle (Lissemys punctata) who are resident in the large permanent Villus. There are Star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) roaming on the grasslands at Wilpattu. Termites of the Genus Trinervitermes clan probably account for the most significant proportion of the invertebrate bio mass. Termites are found not on the grasslands but actively living in the scrub forests.
Nearly sixty lakes and tanks are found spread around the Wilpattu National Park. Some of the wetland bird species as Garganey (Anas querquedula), Pin tail (Anas acuta), Whistling teal (Dendrocygna javanica), Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), White ibis (Threskiornis malanocephalus), Large white egret (Egretta alba modesta), Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) and Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) also found at the Wilpattu National Park.
Both water monitors and mugger crocodiles can be seen in the willus.
Flora
There are many Villu and lakes at Wilpattu. This is identified as the main topographical feature of the Park. They are often flat and basin like while containing purely rain water. The western sector of Wilpattu is covered deeply with forests. Many species of flora can be identified at Wilpattu national park. There are three types of vegetation; Littoral vegetation, including Salt grass and low scrub immediately adjacent to the beach and further inland, monsoon forest with tall emergents, such as Palu (Manilkara hexandra), and Satin (Chloroxylon swietenia), Milla (Vitex altissima), Weera (Drypetes sepiaria), Ebony (Disopyros ebenum) and Wewarna ( Alseodaphne semecapriflolia).
History
The Wilpattu National Park and its surrounding are steeped in history and covered with legend. Popular legend says that in 543 BC King Vijaya landed at Kudrimalai and that he married Kuweni. According to some ancient ruins identified, it is said that Kuweni lived in the place now identified as the Kali Villu. Both Kudrimalai and Kali Villu are found in the Wilpattu. Furthermore history shows that Prince Saliya, son of King Dutugemunu, lived with Asokamala in Maradanmaduwa in Wilpattu over 2000 years ago. Pomparippu too is of historical value as urns containing the remains of those belonging to pre Vijayan times have been excavated from that site. Also between Palangaturai and Kollankanatte are the remains of an old harbour. In 1905, the designated area in Wilpattu was declared a sanctuary. Thereafter it was upgraded to national park status on February 25, 1938.
Location
The park is located 30km west of Anuradhapura and spans the border between the North Central and North Western Province. It is bordered by the Modaragam aru in the south the Kala Oya in the north and is bordered by the Indian ocean in the west. The Wilpattu National Park is the largest national park in the area with acreage of 131, 693 hectares. It is situated ranging from sea level to 152 metres above it.
Visitors and Accommodation
Willpattu can be reached from Chilaw going north along west coast from Colombo or coming from Anuradhapura. We can provide Camping Safaris at Willpattu National Park. You may select from just one day Safari to few day Camping Safari Tours. Tell us how you want to experience Willpattu National Park – if it is observing or studying Fauna or Flora, Bird Watching or Butterfly Watching, talk to one of our travel advisors. | | Related Life Styles |  | Adventure | | | | Sri Lanka's diversity of topography and climate results in the island being the perfect year-round location for activity and adventure. More... |
|  | Nature | | | | Sri Lanka is one of the smallest, but biologically diverse countries in Asia. More... |
|  | Trekking | | | | Trekking and hiking are excellent ways to not only explore Sri Lanka but also gin an insight into her people, their traditions and beliefs. More... |
|  | Wildlife | | | | Influenced by Buddhist respect for all living beings, Sri Lanka has a well-entrenched conservation ethic. More... |
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Wilpattu National Park Tours |  | Sri Lanka Mini Cultural Triangle and Wildlife Tour and Beach Holiday | from £989 | | Discover the world renowned Cultural Triangle and the wild life of Sri Lanka in this tour while staying at some of the finest hotels. Tour includes Anuradhapura Ancient City Tour, Polonnaruwa Ancient City Tour, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Caves, The Royal City of Kandy Tour, Peradeniya Botantical Gardens, Minneriya National Park, Negombo Village Tour, and Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage plus time on the beach to relax at the end of your trip. |
|  | Sri Lanka T20 Colombo Finale Tour Holiday | from £1109 | | This package gives you the opportunity to watch the ICC Cricket T20 World Cup SEMI-FINALE matches and the FINAL in Sri Lanka. Come and watch whether England can defend its champion title. Book early and reserve this T20 cricket tour with a small deposit. Hurry! |
|  | Sri Lanka T20 Super Eight Kandy Tour Holiday | from £1569 | | This package gives you the opportunity to watch the six of the ICC Cricket T20 World Cup Super-Eight games played in Pallekelle, Kandy in Sri Lanka. This could be the most thrilling encounters for the defending champions England. Book early and reserve this T20 cricket tour with a small deposit. Hurry! |
|  | Sri Lanka T20 England Qualifier Tour Holiday | from £999 | | Come and watch one of the most thrilling encounters of the ICC T20 2012 World Cup, the qualifier matches. The package includes 2 England qualifier matches. Book early, reserve your hotels, tickets, transfers and tours with a small deposit. Hurry! |
|  | Sri Lanka T20 World Cup England Full Tour Holiday | from £2239 | | Come and support the current champion, England to defend title at the ICC T20 2012 World Cup. The package includes England qualifier matches played in Colombo, the Supper Eights matches in Pallekelle, Kandy, two semi-final matches and the final. Book early, reserve your hotels, tickets, transfers and tours with a small deposit. Hurry! |
|  | Sri Lanka T20 Super Eight Colombo Tour Holiday | from £1609 | | This package gives you the opportunity to watch the six of the ICC Cricket T20 World Cup Super-Eight games played in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This could be the most thrilling encounters for the defending champions England. Book early and reserve this T20 cricket tour with a small deposit. Hurry! |
|  | Sri Lanka T20 Sri Lanka Qualifier Tour Holiday | from £1009 | | Come and watch ICC T20 2012 World Cup qualifier matches that include Sri Lanka. The package includes 3 qualifier matches played in Hambantota to watch Sri Lanka to grab the top position in their group to qualify as Supper Eight Team. Book early, reserve your hotels, tickets, transfers and tours with a small deposit. Hurry! |
|  | Sri Lanka T20 World Cup Sri Lanka Full Tour Holiday | from £2219 | | Come and support the host country, Sri Lanka at the ICC T20 2012 World Cup. The package includes Sri Lanka qualifier matches played in Colombo, the Supper Eights matches in Pallekelle, Kandy, two semi-final matches and the final. Book early, reserve your hotels, tickets, transfers and tours with a small deposit. Hurry! |
|  | Sri Lanka T20 Colombo Finale Beach Stay Holiday | from £939 | | This package gives you the opportunity to watch the ICC Cricket T20 World Cup SEMI-FINALE matches and the FINAL in Sri Lanka. Come and watch whether England can defend its champion title. Book early and reserve this T20 cricket beach stay with a small deposit. Hurry! |
|  | Sri Lanka T20 Super Eight Colombo Beach Stay Holiday | from £1529 | | This package gives you the opportunity to watch the six of the ICC Cricket T20 World Cup Super-Eight games played in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This could be the most thrilling encounters for the defending champions England. Book early and reserve this T20 cricket beach stay with a small deposit. Hurry! |
|  | Sri Lanka T20 England Qualifier Beach Stay Holiday | from £929 | | Come and watch one of the most thrilling encounters of the ICC T20 2012 World Cup, the qualifier matches. The package includes 2 England qualifier matches. Book early, reserve your hotels, tickets and transfers with a small deposit. Hurry! |
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Excursions of Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka |  | Peradeniya Botanical Gardens | Kandy | hill country | | Peradeniya Botanical Gardens is the foremost of its kind in Sri Lanka in both size and splendour. It was created by the Kandyan King for the enjoyment of the aristocracy. Today the gardens have an orchid house, spice garden, Japanese garden, picturesque lake filled with water lilies and more. | | |
|  | Muthurajawela Marsh | Negombo | capital colombo | | Muthurajawela Marsh is a distinctive wetland habitat on the Negombo lagoon in the south of the town of Negombo. | | |
|  | Negombo Fishing Harbour | Negombo | capital colombo | | Despite this fact Negombo has become a popular tourist destination, Negombo has still managed to maintain its traditional fishing heritage. Visit the Negombo harbour to see the fisherman who are still trying to earn their daily living through long established fishing practices. | | |
|  | Anuradhapura Ancient City Tour | Anuradhapura | ancient cities | | Anuradhapura ancient city in Sri Lanka is a magical place. Anuradhapura features some of the most ancient archaeological treasures in Sri Lanka dating back to the 4th century BC. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites that must be missed. | | |
|  | Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage | Kegalle | hill country | | Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is home for nearly 84 young and old orphaned elephants. Feed the baby elephants and watch them play and plod down to the river for their daily bath. | | |
|  | Uda Walawe National Park Safari | Udawalawe | south coast | | The Uda Walawe National Park has around 500 wild elephants populating the area in large herds, it is an ideal place to see these majestic pachyderms in their natural surroundings. | | |
|  | Yala National Park Tour | Yala | south coast | | Yala National Park or Ruhuna National Park is the second largest and most visited national park in Sri Lanka. It is one of the best parks in the world to observe and photograph leopards. | | |
|  | Minneriya National Park Safari | Polonnaruwa | ancient cities | | Dominated by the ancient Minneriya Tank, Minneriya National Park has plenty of scrub and light forest in its 8890 hectares to provide shelter for its toque macaques, sambar deer, leopards and elephants – to name a few. | | |
|  | Horton Plains | Nuwara Eliya | hill country | | Horton Plains is one of the most popular and a unique natural attraction in Sri Lanka. It is located 2000m high plateau 28km south of Nuwara Eliya and its known for its beautiful landscapes, rare plants, animal life and World’s End where the plains comes suddenly to an end. | | |
|  | Adams peak | Ratnapura | hill country | | The 2,243 m (7,360-ft) high summit is situated in the middle of a wildlife sanctuary called Peak Wilderness. According to Buddhist history the footprint at the summit of the mountain is of Lord Buddha, left during his third visit to Sri Lanka. | | |
|  | Singharaja Rain Forest | Sinharaja | hill country | | Sinharaja Rain Forest’s biodiversity makes it one of Sri Lanka’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Sinharaja Rain Forest is a great location for general wildlife enthusiasts and a must for bird watchers. | | |
|  | Ella Adventure Park | | | | | | |
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 | Udawalawe National Park | | The Uda Walawe National Park has around 500 wild elephants populating the area in large herds, it is an ideal place to see these majestic pachyderms in their natural surroundings.More... |
|  | Yala National Park | | Yala National Park or Ruhuna National Park is the second largest and most visited national park in Sri Lanka. Yala National Park is well recognised as one of the best parks in the world to observe and photograph leopards.More... |
|  | Wilpattu National Park | | Covering an impressive 425 sq miles, Wilpattu National Park is Sri Lanka’s largest. Having reopened in March, 2010 it is just a matter of time before it becomes a popular eco-tourism destination.More... |
|  | Somawathie Chaittiya National Park | | The Somawathi Chaithya National Park located on the bank of the Mahaveli River close to Polonnaruwa is home to large number of wild animals ranging from elephants, wild buffalo, deer and other grass-eating animals.More... |
|  | Flood Plains National Park | | Flood Plains National Park is in Polonnaruwa district and it is part of Mahaweli system of protected areas, both for its unique villus and as a corridor for wildlife migration between grazing lands in Wasgamuwa.More... |
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Other Articles |  | Active | | There is no better or more exhilarating way to discover Sri Lank’s spectacular scenery and nature than through white water rafting down a majestic river, trekking & hiking in Horton Plains National Park, rock-climbing and caving of the Knuckles mountain range, mountain biking in the Hill Country, horse riding, camping, jeep safaris – the options are endless. More... |  | Adventure | | Sri Lanka's diversity of topography and climate results in the island being the perfect year-round location for activity and adventure. More... |  | Anniversary | | Going on a romantic holiday to a tropical paradise such as Sri Lanka can be a great way to celebrate your anniversary. More... |  | Ayurvedic | | Sri Lanka's ancient history has a page devoted to the world of "Ayurveda" meaning the science of life and is the most scientific and complete system of preventative and curative medical care known to mankind. More... |  | Culture | | The culture of Sri Lanka has been influenced by many things in the past, but Sri Lanka has managed to retain much of its ancient, rich aspects. More... |  | Golf | | . More... |
| Sri Lanka Weather | | Sri Lanka weather is slightly complicated by having two monsoons and an inter-monsoonal period when rain can occur in many parts of the island. As a result, Sri Lanka has become an all year around travel destination. More... |
| Best Time to Travel to Sri Lanka | | Visitors come to Sri Lanka all year around. Sri Lanka’s climate means that it is always the ‘right’ beach season somewhere on the coast. More... |
| Sri Lanka Visa Requirements | | Sri Lanka tourists visa regulations are simple. USA and most European countries receive 30 days tourist visa on arrival. More... |
| Foreign Embassies in Sri Lanka | | As a tourist, it is always important to know where the foreign embassy is in Sri Lanka and what they can and cannot do to help you. More... |
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