14/01/2020
Willuwa Wilpattu is a proposed 10 roomed boutique villa surrounded by two lakes and a river in a 10 acre property, uniquely set in a location in Eluwankulama in the Puttlam District, North Western province that has access to many scenic and cultural elements ranging from the Wilpattu National Park, ancient ruins, significant religious locations in Mannar, Kalpitiya and Anuradhapura. To describe the experience in a nutshell, it’s: sun, sand, safari, culture, adventure and sacred sites all rolled into one destination. There are only a handful of places on earth where you may wake up to the calls of a tropical wild, and that too on an uncharted forest land. Willuwa Wilpattu boutique villa will have many activities for the resident guests to engage during their stay, ranging from Jeep safaris to the Wilpattu National Park, Boat safaris for bird watching excursions, dolphin whale watching and kite surfing excursions to Kalpitiya, village tours on a bullock cart, cycling and fishing. The boutique villa will be equipped with a host of modern luxuries as expected in our home of Sri Lankan hospitality. Beyond standard amenities such as free Wi-Fi, room service, daily housekeeping and more, Willuwa Wilpattu will offers a refreshing 60 feet long swimming pool, gymnasiums, clubhouse with bar facilities and a pool/snooker room.
Planning and construction is ongoing and is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2021.
Wilpattu National Park is situated in the dry zone, and is unlike any other wildlife sanctuary in Sri Lanka. A unique complex of over 50 wetlands called “Willu” is the most prominent topographical feature of the national park. “Willu” are shallow natural lakes filled with rainwater surrounded by open grassy plains amidst the dense scrub jungle. The presence of these Willus with an abundance of water can best be explained in the weather patterns that prevail over the park.
Vegetation at Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park consists of three types of vegetation: littoral vegetation including salt grass and low scrub immediately adjacent to the beach; a 5-10 km coastal belt of monsoon scrub of very low stature; and further inland, the wooded forest with tall emergents, such as Palu (Manilkara hexandra) and Satin (Chloroxylon swietenia), Milla (Vitex altissima), Weera (Drypetes sepiaria), Ebony (Disopyros ebenum) and Wewarna (Alseodaphne semecapriflolia). Some 73% of the park is dense forest or scrub and the rest is more open habitat.
Wildlife at Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park’s varying natural habitats; coastal belt, natural lakes (Willus), rocky outcrops, scrublands, open grasslands and dense forest provide for numerous species of animals. Among the species are 31 mammals. The biggest draws in Wilpattu are Leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya) and Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus). Apart from those two mammals are Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus), Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, jackals, sambhur, barking deer, mouse deer Wild Pig, Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and Mugger Crocodiles. Countless species of birds can be found and the park plays host to numerous winter migrants from November to March, while menacing crocodiles top the list.
Also roaming on the grasslands are Star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) at Wilpattu. In the large Villus are Pond turtle (Melanonchelys trijuga) and the Soft shelled turtle (Lissemys punctata)
