When to visit Wilpattu National Park?

The best time to visit Wilpattu National Park is generally from February to October, with the high point months for wildlife watching sitting roughly between February and May. In that drier stretch, most animals just end up congregating around the park's natural water basins, so you can spot them more easily, or at least more consistently.

Wilpattu is also pretty special because of its “villus”, which are natural water basins with a sand rim. They fill up as rain comes in, so in the dry season, roughly February to May, the nearby foliage starts thinning, and even the shy wildlife, including Sri Lankan leopards, sloth bears and elephants, gets pushed out from the dense jungle to go drink from steadier water sources. It’s usually a very good idea to skip the heavy Northeast Monsoon, from October to December, since downpours can make tracks turn muddy, and they become hard to pass, which often results in park closures, plus a noticeable drop in wildlife visibility.