Trip during heavy rains in Wilpattu National Park

I had a great Christmas this year. My sister was back in Sri Lanka after 5 years overseas and our family was once again whole. I really wanted to take my sister to Wilpattu, as I wanted her to experience the true jungle experience this park offers unlike most national parks in the country. Unfortunately this December the entire island is facing a severe downpour with many left dead and homeless due to the floods. Despite the rains, I was determined to go to "Willey" my home away from home. We left on the 26th with my mom, sister and my best friend Niroshan, whom we picked up from Negombo. I drove our family vehicle, a green Toyota Hilux, but we intended to park this at the Wilpattu office and take my trusted driver Senevi's jeep on safari. 

On the way my sister insisted on needing a toilet break, and we ended up at the Chilaw Rest House. I was pleasantly surprised at the good condition, and efficient service. The toilets were spotless, and the place was open from 6.00 Am. We had a lovely cup of tea, and were back on the road. Puttlam was reached by around 9.00 AM, and I was interested in trying my luck on a specific stretch of road along the Puttalam - Kurunegala road where elephants are known to cross. Thus we took this small diversion to try our luck with very little hope of finding anything. This stretch is situated on a hill, and while climbing we were pessimistic and ready to turn back, when I noticed a few bikes and trishaws parked and looking at something on the roadside. There were four elephants, and upon closer inspection noticed a beautiful young tusker. I was overjoyed and in my excitement forgot to pull the handbrakes. The jeep started rolling back, but I managed to pull the brakes in the nick of time. I jumped out of the cab and ran to the rear to pull out my camera. I was overjoyed, and managed to capture a few images of this young tusker with beautiful long tusks. This youngster seemed around 10-12 years of age, and was still with his mother. After around 5 minutes the herd moved back into the cover of the forest. I was ecstatic, and in a great mood for the rest of the drive. 

Spotted deer enjoying the rain at Panikkawila

 Spotted Deer at Panikkawila

                                       We took shelter at Panikkawila Bungalow

We took shelter at Panikkawila Bungalow 

We entered the park late, at around 10.00 AM and faced a torrent of rain the whole day. We stayed at Panikkawila bungalow for the afternoon, and thanks to Senevi and his wife had an amazing lunch of delicious rice and curry wrapped in banana leaf. The bungalow was in a sorry state, and badly in need of maintenance. The chairs were all broken, the beds were filthy and the roof was leaking from all sorts of places. I felt fortunate that I didn’t spend the night there. This was a far cry from what the bungalow was like in April.

Grey Hornbill

We saw a very interesting side to the park, with life and behavior of the animals during these torrents. 

 Road to Talawila

Road leading to Nelum Wila is flooded. A Noah Van was stranded there that evening.

Wilpattu main road is underwater at some places 

Despite the lack of leopards, we observed a multitude of life in the park. By evening we were getting a little worried as certain parts of the road network were underwater. I requested to head out of the park early as I didn’t want to end up stranded, and we were soaking wet and was looking forward to our stay at the bungalow we booked named Wilpattu Holiday Home just outside the park entrance. 

Elephant enjoying the rain at Panikkawila

Finally some good shots of Jackal, taken at Talawila

Pond Heron with a fish in its beak at Nelum Wila

A massive buffalo emerged out of nowhere at Nelum Wila

I found the place over the internet and it is in a prime location, just outside the Wilpattu park office. The caretaker Karunawathie was excellent and very hospitable. I will recommend this place to anyone who wishes to visit the park, but does not have the luck to book a place inside. The accommodation itself is basic, but clean and comfortable. The hospitality of Karunawathie and her husband made up for the simplicity of the place. In the end I believe that it’s the service quality we experience which matters more than the place itself. Overall we had a lovely time with family, and an interesting experience of Wilpattu in the rains.