Wilpattu National Park Private Safari

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Wilpattu and were very lucky with the wildlife we got to see, mainly thanks to our driver who went out of his way to find animals for us. We saw three leopards and had an amazing encounter with an elephant which came right up to our jeep. We saw plenty of birds of prey along with other birds, crocodiles, deer, mongoose and hornbills. We did go over the same ground several times and had long periods of seeing very little but that is the nature of seeing wild animals in their natural environment. It’s the luck of the draw and it’s exciting when you do get to see something. We did this trip with my parents and we all loved it.

If you are considering this safari, think carefully before booking. Unless you are comfortable spending hundreds of dollars with the possibility of seeing very little wildlife, I would skip this safari and spend your time and money elsewhere. For our family of four, this was one of the poorest value tourism experiences we have had in Sri Lanka. As a Sri Lankan expatriate visiting from Canada, I had heard a lot about this park, one of the largest and oldest national parks in Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, the experience fell far short of expectations. We spent approximately five hours on safari, much of it travelling over rough and bumpy roads that left some passengers with headaches and discomfort. During the entire trip, we saw only two buffalo, a mongoose, a few deer, and many spotted storks around a pond. There were no elephants, leopards, bears, crocodiles, or any of the iconic wildlife that most visitors travel to Sri Lanka hoping to see. For a family of four, the cost was approximately CAD $300 including entrance fees and safari costs. I understand that wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, but at these prices visitors should receive far better value or, at the very least, clear information about the realistic chances of seeing major wildlife. The Government of Sri Lanka and park administration need to seriously review the pricing structure and overall visitor experience. International tourists are paying premium prices and expecting a world-class wildlife experience. When visitors spend hundreds of dollars and five hours of their day only to see wildlife commonly found in many other places, it creates disappointment and damages Sri Lanka's tourism reputation. If wildlife populations are low, visitors should be told before they buy tickets. If conservation efforts need strengthening, more investment is required. Charging high prices while delivering an experience like this leaves many visitors feeling that they did not receive fair value for their money. Sri Lanka has many outstanding attractions that I would gladly recommend. Unfortunately, based on our experience, this safari is not one of them.

A few birds, deer, mongoose, lizards and buffalo, no bears, no leopards, no elephants.... NOT worth the US$80 we spent. Way to overpriced

We had a pre-arranged tour with an excellent guide and two drivers on two days. We did see Elephants, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Red Mongoose, Buffalo, Sri Lanka Leopard a lot of beautiful birds. But our excitement was tempered by the sheer number of vehicles around some distraught elephants. Sri Lanka stands about to kill the golden goose that lays the golden egg. Vehicle restrictions need to be applied.

Amazing park with very diverse habitats, and not crowded. We were expertly guided by Raj Fernando, of Leopard Trails. He has deep and detailed knowledge of the wildlife. We like to learn as much as we can about the nature and wildlife around, and Raj thoroughly impressed us with his knowledge. He is also a most gracious person, very well organised and service oriented, nothing was too much for him and our expert driver Dinesh. We saw leopard, elephant, bear, wild boar, crocs, and many many bird species. Just a glance at a distant spot was enough for Raj to identify a bird and tell us all about the species. Thanks to Raj and Dinesh, visiting Wilpattu national park was an unforgettable experience, a treasure not to be missed.

We arrived late but they accommodated. We saw elephants, eagles, peacocks, buffalo, langurs and even a glimpse of a leopard! Overall a good value half day safari.

Over several trips we had the good fortune to see many animals, leopards with youngsters, bears and even a jackal. We also went with a bird expert who opened our eyes to the extensive bird life in the park. My key memory is the landscape around the various lakes, especially beautiful, especially combined with dramatic and varied wildlife. The park is a dream but the state of roads is a disgrace. Only suitable for fit and able passengers - not so good for granny or mums-to-be. .

The trip was good, our guide friendly. Unfortunetly he didn't speak english very well. I would recommend only a half day safari, because the driveable area isn't to big enaugh for a full day.

Travelling around Sri Lanka we were very impressed by the quality of the roads, including those to quite small rural communities. The main route for visitors within Wilpattu is a disgrace, which we are told cannot just be blamed just on weather. This is one of the locations promoted for tourists, and the constantly bumpy journey eroded the pleasure of driving through forest and more open landscapes. Yes it is good to see animals and birds, but by sharp contrast with the tracks in public national parts of southern Africa, this is a shocker. The driver/guides in their jeeps do their very best for visitors, but in response to observations about the road they must face, they say that the relevant authority needs to be pursued. The park makes significant money from tourism and tourists deserve to have some of it returned to them in the form of an acceptable journey.

We visited Wilpattu National Park last Sunday, and it was an incredible experience! We were lucky enough to spot a leopard, a sloth bear, and several elephants, which made the adventure truly unforgettable. The park's natural beauty is breathtaking, and it was a thrill to see these animals in their natural habitat. After the safari, we also visited a nearby beach. The view from the uphill was simply stunning—a perfect way to end the day. Our driver was very friendly and knowledgeable, adding to the overall positive experience. The trip was well worth it, and I highly recommend this adventure to anyone looking for a memorable experience in nature

Wilpattu Park has magnificent viewpoints, savanna, bush, and lakes with very beautiful vegetation. We were lucky to see many animals, 3 leopards very close up, herds of elephants with babies and mothers who were expecting other baby elephants. We also saw many crocodiles, monkeys, birds, toucans, does, and iguanas. A magnificent safari!

During the safari in Wilpattu, we spent the entire day in the jeep only to see NOTHING in the end!! No leopards, no elephants, no bears. But we did see a group of deer, some birds, a crocodile... Very expensive and disappointing safari. Feeling like we got ripped off... Advice: Think before you book! Because there are other safaris in Sri Lanka... We much preferred the safari in Udawalawe even though we only stayed there for half a day. It was magical to see the elephants, jackals, crocodiles, monkeys there... Anyway, it's up to you which safari you choose...

I decided on it because it is supposedly not supposed to be that crowded. I absolutely cannot confirm that. Even at the entrance, I had to wait more than an hour until the driver came with the tickets. Then, on the first few kilometers, there were already dozens of jeeps on the road that were getting in each other's way. However, my driver had driven ahead a bit...that was good in itself...but I believe that was part of the reason why I hardly saw any animals. The icing on the cake was when a leopard was spotted and there were 30 or 40 vehicles at that one spot. There was no moving forward or backward. Those who had a view of the animal did not move until it was gone again. The rest stood around stupidly for at least half an hour and waited for the road to be cleared again. Great for a 4-hour safari. At least I saw a few interesting animals and the jungle itself is of course beautiful too:) So…based on my experience, I absolutely cannot recommend it. It is too expensive for that.

Spectacular landscapes, very varied wildlife, and also there weren't many people because it's not as famous (it's quieter and more authentic). We saw 2 leopards, mongooses, an elephant, a crocodile, huge lizards, a wide variety of birds, a turtle, monkeys, water buffalo, deer, sambar... Highly recommended to visit this NP during your trip to Sri Lanka.

My first safari. Very nice. Not many people (season due to the conflict in the Middle East).

Park mainly composed of birds (peacock cp) and doe. We've seen leopard tracks. A break is made with the monkeys. My first safari.

Our expectations were not met. We haven't seen any elephants, bears or leopards. I thought there was almost no chance of seeing a leopard. Even our driver, when asked if he saw a leopard here, walked away from a direct answer. Looks like a legend. We've seen eagles sitting in trees very close, deer, jackals, buffalo and many birds. We didn't regret going, but now we know that this park shouldn't be expected to do much.

A jeep safari in the Wilpattu - I've been there 5 times - requires a lot of patience, because you jerk through dense forest for an hour before you get into the open countryside.....unfortunately I've never seen a leopard, but fortunately our customers have. There are otherwise Axish deer to see, sometimes a muntjac, crocodiles, isolated elephants, wild boars. Beautiful also the Kumbuk trees at the watercourses.

A disappointing experience. Leopards and bears are for sale, but neither was seen. There are about 6 leopards in the area where the Jeep is going. After breakfast, we got word of a leopard and headed there, but it was already a long traffic jam and the leopard was gone while we waited. Except for leopards and bears, most of them can be found just driving around normally, so I think it would be good if they specialized in leopard hunting. Don't seem happy with peacocks. Beautiful little birds to check out. As usual, monkeys are found in various ruins. I got the impression that there was not as much exchange of information between drivers as in Africa. The road is also very bumpy and very tiring.

Very good support from the beginning by Mewan. The driver then sets us up quickly and the formalities are brief before starting the adventure. The latter does not just do are ride in the park, he really goes to the trouble of finding the animals that make up this wonderful park... and it works! We have almost every species. In the end, moving in backpacks, we have difficulty finding a way to get to the Pension. Our driver coordinates directly with his colleagues to find a solution!! Beautiful adventure we recommend!