Ultimate Guide to Wilpattu National Park and Anuradhapura (2025)
- Flo MBT
- Feb 28
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 3
We spent two nights around Wilpattu National Park and Anuradhapura. Initially, our plan was just to go on a safari in Wilpattu and visit the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura. Little did we know how much there was to see in this area! Thankfully, we had time on our second day to explore even more.
Table of Contents
What to Expect
Wilpattu National Park is approximately 55 kilometers (about 34 miles) from Anuradhapura, which translates to a drive of around 1 hour.
Wilpattu National Park is Sri Lanka’s largest and oldest national park, and is renowned for its incredible wildlife and thrilling safari experiences.
Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, is also known as the "Sacred City of Anuradhapura" by UNESCO. It is home to several ancient temples and religious sites.
The Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit this area is from May to September, during the dry season, as the weather is more favorable, making it easier to explore the sites and enjoy wildlife spotting.
How Long to Stay
As we mentioned earlier, we didn’t realize how much there is to see in this area. We feel that the optimum time to explore would be 3 to 4 nights - allowing 1 day for a safari and 2 days to visit the temples. This gives you enough time to truly experience the rich culture and wildlife of the region.
Things to do
Here’s a list of things we did during our time in the area:
1. Safari in Wilpattu National Park
An unforgettable wildlife experience! Although we didn't get the chance to spot any leopards or elephants, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in the park. We spotted wild boar, spotted deer, sambar deer, crocodiles, water buffalo, and a wide variety of bird species.
Please note, we did a full-day safari (around 12 hours). Our guesthouse was just a 3-minute walk from the park entrance, so we only needed to be there at 6 a.m. However, for those staying further away, be prepared to wake up much earlier.
The drive through the park can be quite bumpy, dusty, and tiring - but it’s definitely worth it!
2. Visit to Sri Maha Bodhi Tree
A sacred and peaceful visit to one of the most important Buddhist sites. Although we are not Buddhist, and we didn't know what to expect, this site became a highlight for us. The energy there and the sight of people praying was an amazing experience!
3. Mirisawetiya Temple
Mirisawetiya Temple, an impressive stupa built by King Dutugamunu in Anuradhapura, stands as a symbol of Sri Lanka’s rich Buddhist heritage.
4. Isurumuniya Temple
As we were visiting Mirisawetiya Temple, we spoke with a local who recommended we visit Isurumuniya Temple, especially since we told him we only had time for one more site. His suggestion turned out to be a great choice. It is renowned for its stone carvings of which the most famous is one known as the “Isurumuniya Lovers”.
5. Hike to the summit of Mihintale
About a 40-minute drive from Anuradhapura is Mihintale, a site that is truly a must-visit! At the summit, there are three main areas to explore: a stupa, a Buddha statue, and a platform, each offering breathtaking panoramic views. This historic site is known for its spiritual significance.
The climb to Mihintale takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The best time to climb is in the early morning or late afternoon. We visited Mihintale at 2 p.m., and like at any temple, you’ll need to cover your shoulders and knees and remove your shoes. Well, at 2 p.m., the floor was burning hot, and we couldn’t help but laugh with other visitors as we all scrambled around to avoid the heat (although be careful, as the stairs aren’t always even).
>> Here’s a list of additional things to do in the area based on our research:
Ruwanwelisaya Stupa – One of the largest and most important stupas in Sri Lanka.
Jetavanaramaya – One of the tallest ancient structures in the world.
Other sites include: Abhayagiri Dagoba, Lankarama, Thuparama Stupa, Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds), Samadhi Buddha Statue, Naga Vihara, Rathna Prasada.
How to Go Around
We explored the different temples in our little tuk-tuk, using Google Maps as our guide, chatting with locals, and stopping whenever something caught our eye. The temples aren’t too far apart, and many are quite large, so they’re easy to spot!
Another option, which we believe is definitely worth considering to deepen your understanding of the area, is hiring a tuk-tuk driver who also acts as a guide. This way, you’ll not only have a local expert sharing insights about the temples, but you’ll also be taken on a more informative and personalized journey, helping you truly appreciate the history and significance of each site. We felt that, without a guide, we only understood the temples to a certain extent, so this is a great way to enhance your experience.
We also crossed paths with many people cycling around, which seemed like a fantastic way to explore the area.
Tips for Visiting:
Outfit: Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
Shoes: Remove your shoes before entering the temples (socks is okay)
Hire a Guide: If you're interested in learning more about the history and significance of the sites.
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