Wilpattu & Northwest
Why go?
Wilpattu National Park, home to one of the world’s largest
leopard population, finally re-opened to the public in 2010. Visit
on a day trip - or, to really get a chance to see the full array of
animals including elephants, wild buffalo, crocodiles and the
illusive sloth-bear, stay at Kulu Safari's tented camp
within the park.
On the Kalapitya peninsula, just northwest of the Puttalam salt
pans, stay at Bar Reef Resort on Alankuda Beach to enjoy
miles of unspoilt coastline and watch the dolphin and whale
migrations (Nov-Feb), or fabulous kite-surfing during the windy
months of May to July.
Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary, with its 3 types of habitat (mangrove,
coastal and freshwater), is home to a huge range of migratory and
native birds is not to be missed if you are remotely interested in
ornithology.
The region also boasts many cultural sites - less well-known though
every bit as impressive as in the Cultural Triangle (which is a 2-3
hour drive from here, and easily combined). Highlights include
including the ancient capitals of Yapahuwa and Pandurasnuwara, rock
temples and ancient rock inscriptions.
The countryside is dotted with ancient ‘tanks’ or
reservoirs, centres for both rural life and local wildlife. Stay at
The Mudhouse where you can swim or picnic at the local
tank, and cycle round exploring the local countryside and
sites.
A vast green coconut belt stretches from Negombo to Puttalam and
inland up to Kurunegala, in the depths of which is
Horathapola, a working coconut estate. It's a perfect
place from which to explore the highlights of this region as well
as being a good start or end point for trips to Kandy or the
Cultural Triangle.