Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
There are frequent buses to Negombo from Kalpitiya (Rs 180, three hours). Buses between
Alankuda and Kalpitiya cost Rs 50.
Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu means 'natural lakes' in Sinhala and '10 lakes' in Tamil and lakes are exactly what
you'll find at Wilpattu National Park, which at 1085 sq km is Sri Lanka's largest national
park. As well as lakes you'll also find huge swaths of dense, dry country woodland, masses
of birds and, with a little luck, an impressive array of wildlife including leopards (this is
the second-best park after Yala for leopards), sloth bears, spotted deer, wild pigs and cro-
codiles.
A safari in Wilpattu is very different from any of the other major national parks. Visitor
numbers remain very low and even in high season it's common for there to be no more
than a handful of tourist jeeps in the park at any one time. This gives Wilpattu a wonder-
ful, and genuine, wilderness feeling. On the flipside though, the dense forest and general
skittishness of the animals means that actually sighting wildlife is less of a sure thing than
in the country's more visited parks. This is truly a place for the more dedicated safari-goer.
Birders in particular will love Wilpattu with its abundance of dry forest, water and even
coastal birds.
Sleeping & Eating
There's an increasing array of accommodation in the vicinity of the park, although most
are a good 15- to 20-minute drive from the entrance. All sleeping options provide meals.
Uthpalawanna Holiday Resort
GUESTHOUSE
( 072 432 2085, 075 510 2159;Saliyawewa;s/d Rs 2500/3000)
Rooms in this family home are tidy and simple, but the welcome is grand.
Palpatha Eco Safari Lodge
LODGE
