How To Get To Wilpattu National Park From Colombo?

Wilpattu National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s most treasured wildlife destinations. This is actually a sprawling ancient wilderness where leopards pad very silently through dense scrub, elephants wade into glassy villus (natural lakes) and rare birds in fact fill the early morning air. If you’re a traveller setting off from Colombo, then the drive to Wilpattu National Park is actually a lot more straightforward than many people expect.

Read more: How To Get To Wilpattu National Park From Colombo?

The park sits within comfortable reach if you’re going for a long weekend or a dedicated safari holiday. Whether you’re a lone traveler, a family with kids, or a couple looking for a luxurious experience in wildlife, knowing how to get to Wilpattu National Park from Colombo the right way matters. Here at Cloud Nine Lanka Resort, which is conveniently located only 25 minutes’ drive from the gate of Wilpattu National Park, we have helped thousands of people do just that.

How Far Is Wilpattu National Park from Colombo?

The distance from Colombo to Wilpattu National Park is about 175 to 185 kilometres which depends on the route you choose. Under normal traffic conditions, the drive just takes about three and a half to five hours. The most common route is one that passes through Negombo and Chilaw before continuing north along the coastal highway. The second one is a slightly longer inland route which runs through Kurunegala and Puttalam. Both of these are well surfaced roads and very much suitable for standard vehicles.

Best Routes from Colombo to Wilpattu

Colombo → Negombo → Chilaw → Puttalam → Wilpattu 

Most people choose the path that leads along the A3 coastal road towards the towns of Negombo and Chilaw and onwards into Puttalam. After Puttalam, take the Old Mannar Road towards Hunuwilagama for about half an hour. This is where the entrance to the Wilpattu National Park is located. The journey of this is itself is beautiful as it passes past lagoons, fishing villages and coconut groves. 

Colombo → Kurunegala → Puttalam → Wilpattu 

People travelling from the central parts of Sri Lanka or avoiding the rush hour traffic in Colombo will usually take the alternative inland A10/A12 route to Puttalam via Kurunegala. The journey takes slightly longer but is faster on mornings that are busy in Colombo.

Local Tip: Ensure you leave Colombo before 6:30 AM so that you arrive in time to participate in the morning safari slots which start at 6:00 AM. If you wish to join the afternoon game drives, depart before 2:30 PM. Before you set off, check our guide on what to pack for a Sri Lanka safari.

Transport Options from Colombo to Wilpattu

Private Car or Taxi

The most luxurious mode of travel from Colombo to Wilpattu National Park is a personal vehicle or taxi. The ride can be arranged from your accommodation, or by using services. One-way fare usually starts from LKR 15,000 to LKR 25,000. One way transfer is actually very easy to arrange for overnight guests.

Self-Drive

The self-drive from Colombo to Wilpattu is quite simple. The signs on roads are in both English and Sinhalese, and the use of GPS is reliable. It would be better to have a higher clearance vehicle in case you want to drive on rugged trails towards the north part of the national park. Or you could just download an offline map as a backup before you leave in the main highway.

Public Bus

The public bus route to the park takes budget travellers from the Central Bus Stand in Colombo (Bastian Mawatha) all the way to Puttalam. It is an approximate four to five-hour journey by bus. After this, local transport takes over for the last 30 kilometres to the entrance gate of the park. This option is very economical but also a lot less practical if you’re coordinating with safari entry times.

Train + Transfer

Although there is no train that goes directly to Wilpattu, taking the train from Colombo Fort to Puttalam (approximately four hours) and then traveling from Puttalam to the park in a tuk-tuk or taxi makes for a leisurely trip ideal for tourists who love their travel experiences.

Where to Stay Near Wilpattu National Park

Scheduling a night stay around Wilpattu ensures that you get to embark on morning and afternoon safaris, thus enhancing your chance of catching a glimpse of leopards, sloth bears and elephants. The Cloud Nine Lanka Resort is located only 25 minutes away from the Wilpattu park gate, nestled between the Dutch Bay Lagoon and the Pubudugama Conservation Forest. Some of the activities offered include Wilpattu safaris, lagoon sunset boat cruises, Loris trekking and dolphin watching, among others.

Essential Tips for the Journey

Book your safari jeep in advance. Wilpattu actually limits vehicle numbers daily and slots fill very fast during peak season from December to April. So it’s for the best if you book your safari jeep a week before in advance.

Carry cash and refuel in Puttalam. ATMs are scarce north of Puttalam town, so fill your tank before you head to the park.

Best time to visit. The ideal time is actually February to October which is when dry conditions concentrate wildlife around the villus. The park mostly closes in September for maintenance but always confirm before booking.

The journey to Wilpattu National Park from Colombo happens to be one of the best driving experiences in Sri Lanka. The moment you arrive at the boundaries of the Wilpattu forest, ready for an adventure with a jeep awaiting you and with mist clearing off the lakes, you’ll realize that it has all been well worth the effort. Get in touch with Cloud Nine Lanka Resort for your transport and accommodation needs.

Conclusion

Travelling from Colombo to Wilpattu National Park can be simpler than most tourists think. The area boasts excellent road infrastructure, plenty of means of transportation, and less than a five-hour drive to reach the park. There is no point in delaying visiting this fantastic natural reserve in Sri Lanka.

But the real trick, as they say, lies in spending the night there. A visit of one day to Wilpattu can never reveal even half of what this place has to offer. In fact, two full days with morning and afternoon safaris will make for a perfect experience.

Our service at the Cloud Nine Lanka Resort ensures that everything is taken care of, from making arrangements for your safari jeep right through to making sure that every morning you wake up with just a few minutes away from the gate of the park. Contact us now to plan your safari at Wilpattu!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to drive from Colombo to Wilpattu National Park?

This journey can take between 3.5 and 5 hours, depending on your choice of routes and how bad Colombo traffic might be. Taking the coastal road via Negombo and Chilaw would take the shortest time at about 175km in distance. It is important that you leave before 6:30am.

What is the best route from Colombo to Wilpattu?

The suggested route actually follows the A3 coastal highway which is Colombo to Negombo to Chilaw to Puttalam, then northward along the Old Mannar Road until the park entrance at Hunuwilagama. The inland road through Kurunegala is better suited for travelers who are arriving out of Colombo and want to avoid city traffic.

Can I visit Wilpattu National Park as a day trip from Colombo?

This is possible but it would be better if you stayed overnight nearby, especially at locations such as Cloud Nine Lanka Resort near Wilpattu National Park. This is because of the long drives, around 3.5 to 5 hours, one needs to undertake each way from the resort.

Is there a bus or train from Colombo to Wilpattu?

The journey starts from Colombo Central Bus Stand with a bus ride to Puttalam which is 4 to 5 hours long. From there tuk-tuks take visitors to the entry point of the park. No train actually connects to the park but you can take a train to Puttalam and then transfer if you want. The best way would be using a private vehicle.

What is the best time of year to visit Wilpattu from Colombo?

The period from February to October is perfect, especially February to April and June to August. During dry spells, animals in fact gather near the villus which increases the chances of encounters. Generally, the park is shut down in September for maintenance purposes.

Where should I stay near Wilpattu National Park?

Cloud Nine Lanka Resort is among the best places to stay near Wilpattu, being only 25 minutes away from the entry point of the park along the Old Mannar-Puttalam Road. 

How much does a taxi from Colombo to Wilpattu cost?

The fare for a return journey by private taxi from Colombo to Wilpattu ranges from LKR 15,000 to 25,000 depending upon the vehicle type and the bargain struck. Services of PickMe and inDrive mobile applications prove cost-effective, or else you can get an arranged taxi by resort.