Featured
Leopard Trails is a luxury safari camp, set on the outskirts of Wilpattu National Park in North West Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s oldest national park, Wilpattu was once known for its large leopard population and wildlife that congregated around its many large sand rimmed natural lakes known as “Villus”. Wildlife in the park diminished during Sri Lanka's civil war, but with new protection enforced, the leopard population is beginning to grow, making it an ideal time to visit.
The Leopard Trails campsite creates bespoke tented safaris with a maximum of four waterproof tents. Classic Tents are all fitted with air conditioning and each have their own open-air shower. There is also one Luxury Tent which is more spacious and has an indoor shower with solar powered hot water. Delicious meals with both Sri Lankan and Western dishes are served either in the dining area in a separate tent or al fresco around a bon fire.
The highlight of your stay at Leopard Trails is of course watching wildlife. There are two daily game drives to the Wilpattu National Park, conducted with expert local guides. Each vehicle is designed to allow optimum comfort and space during a game drive, allowing you to get the best vantage point of Sri Lanka's most incredible wildlife. In between your safari, return to your elegant air-conditioned tent for a siesta or relax in one of the hammocks strung between the trees of the forest.
Amenities
Stay Leopard Trails at Wilpattu National Park has just four spacious tents; three classic and a luxury tent. All are well-appointed with queen-sized bed draped in fine linen and furnished with bedside tables, luggage racks and curtains around netted windows. Ensuite bathrooms have flushable loos and outdoor showers. Amenities include air-conditioning, pedestal fans, power plugs and an open veranda with camping chairs from which to enjoy the surrounding nature.
ChildCare Families with children of 5 years and above are welcome to stay at Leopard Trails at Wilpattu National Park. The camp conducts a Leopard Trails Mini Ranger Course for young explorers that includes tracking animals, a cosmic star safari, learning bush survival techniques, game-spotting and concludes with a Nature and Ranger’s Test, at the end of which proud achievers are awarded certificates. All tents can accommodate baby cots which can be arranged on request.
Dine All meals and drinks are included in the stay at the Leopard Trails – Wilpattu. There is a separate lounge tent with comfortable sofas with a dining area and a small library. Bonfires are frequently lit in the evenings, where drinks are served and forms a perfect place to mingle with fellow campers. Delicious meals include a fusion of Sri Lankan and western dishes, prepared with fresh locally sourced ingredients and served in the dining area or outdoors under a starlit sky.
Relax There is enough time in between daily safaris to relax on the hammocks strung between the trees or take leisurely walks to watch the rich birdlife. After dinner, guests usually stay back around the bone fire, gazing at the star constellations of the eastern and northern hemispheres.
Experience There are daily two game drives into the Wilpattu National Park, home to Asian Elephants, Sloth Bear, Spotted and barking Deer, as well as the elusive leopard. With a limit of up to 6 guests per safari vehicle, you will have a personal and authentic safari experience. There are also many archaeological ruins within the park that date back to 500 B.C. and legends linking the area with Prince Vijaya from India.
Location Leopard Trails is located just outside Wilpattu National Park in located within the north-western buffer zone.
Getting there Fly into Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport. From there Leopard Trails, Wilpattu is a 5-hour drive. Guests are met by the Leopard Trails team at a nearby location, transferred into their four-wheel vehicle and driven on a rustic track to the site just outside the park's entrance.
When to go The climate in the north and eastern coastal regions of Sri Lanka is influenced by the north-eastern monsoon which takes place between October and January. During these months you will see the most wind and rain whilst between May and September the weather is much more pleasant and drier.v
Destination
Wildlife Parks, Sri LankaDiscover sides of Asia you never knew existed, revealed by people who know every facet.
Here’s what our customers have to say about their Asian Geographical experience