Client Experiences
Janith (Jani) and driver Madu were amazing! Madu had an eagle eye for spotting animals and reading leopard tracks and Jani was knowledgeable and great company throughout the trip. We stayed overnight in Wilpattu - a bit daunting at first but when we woke up at 5.30am the next morning and realised where we were, was a truly serene and uplifting experience. The bungalow manager was a decent cook and made us a hearty Sri Lankan breakfast. Wilpattu is a quite magical place and these guys were the best guides we could have hoped for, full of knowledge and respectful of the wildlife.
Had the best experience in kokmote bungalow. From the entrance we went another 3 and half hour deep in to the jungle and stayed the night. God it was so good. Not the luxury stay. It's like doing camping
We did a full day safari and an evening safari, and we honestly couldn’t be happier.
We started with the night safari, led by their night-spotting specialist — absolutely fascinating. We were able to see snakes, lizards, and even lorises. We had dinner at one of the night watch posts where local farmers stay to protect their crops from elephants, and they explained to us how everything works. It felt authentic, respectful, and eye-opening.
The full day safari was simply spectacular. We saw so many animals, including three different leopards — and two of those sightings were completely exclusive to us, thanks to the incredible skill of our driver and our guide Mindaka. He is not only extremely experienced, but also an amazing wildlife photographer. At the end of the day, he shared the photos he took (see the pictures), and they are just breathtaking. Many people that day only saw one leopard; we saw three, with private and respectful encounters.
Also, a special mention to Sachi, who organized everything for us online smoothly and efficiently.
The whole team is a solid 10/10.
Highly recommended — an unforgettable experience.
We started with the night safari, led by their night-spotting specialist — absolutely fascinating. We were able to see snakes, lizards, and even lorises. We had dinner at one of the night watch posts where local farmers stay to protect their crops from elephants, and they explained to us how everything works. It felt authentic, respectful, and eye-opening.
The full day safari was simply spectacular. We saw so many animals, including three different leopards — and two of those sightings were completely exclusive to us, thanks to the incredible skill of our driver and our guide Mindaka. He is not only extremely experienced, but also an amazing wildlife photographer. At the end of the day, he shared the photos he took (see the pictures), and they are just breathtaking. Many people that day only saw one leopard; we saw three, with private and respectful encounters.
Also, a special mention to Sachi, who organized everything for us online smoothly and efficiently.
The whole team is a solid 10/10.
Highly recommended — an unforgettable experience.
I had such a wonderful experience here from start to finish. One of the first things I noticed was how convenient the parking was—there was plenty of space available, which made arriving stress-free and set a positive tone for the day.
The atmosphere itself was really pleasant and welcoming. Whether at the park or even inside the office, everything felt well-organized, clean, and thoughtfully maintained. I truly appreciated the effort that went into making the place feel inviting and comfortable.
What stood out most for me, though, was how much I was able to learn. Spending time here wasn’t just enjoyable, it was also meaningful because I walked away with new insights and knowledge. Both the park setting and the office experience offered me opportunities to discover new things, which made my visit memorable and worthwhile.
Another pleasant surprise was the pricing. Often when you have such a good experience, you expect the cost to be high, but here the prices were actually very fair and reasonable. It felt like excellent value for the quality of the experience provided.
Overall, I am really glad I decided to come here. Between the easy parking, the enjoyable atmosphere, the learning opportunities, and the fair prices, it was an experience that exceeded my expectations. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a positive and enriching place to spend their time.
The atmosphere itself was really pleasant and welcoming. Whether at the park or even inside the office, everything felt well-organized, clean, and thoughtfully maintained. I truly appreciated the effort that went into making the place feel inviting and comfortable.
What stood out most for me, though, was how much I was able to learn. Spending time here wasn’t just enjoyable, it was also meaningful because I walked away with new insights and knowledge. Both the park setting and the office experience offered me opportunities to discover new things, which made my visit memorable and worthwhile.
Another pleasant surprise was the pricing. Often when you have such a good experience, you expect the cost to be high, but here the prices were actually very fair and reasonable. It felt like excellent value for the quality of the experience provided.
Overall, I am really glad I decided to come here. Between the easy parking, the enjoyable atmosphere, the learning opportunities, and the fair prices, it was an experience that exceeded my expectations. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a positive and enriching place to spend their time.
Our full-day safari today was absolutely fantastic! Everything was perfectly organized from start to finish. Our driver was excellent – professional and safe – and our guide was simply amazing: warm, knowledgeable, and with a great instinct for spotting wildlife. We were lucky enough to see so many animals – and the highlight was spotting a leopard! A truly unforgettable experience. Thank you for such a perfect day!
We had an unforgettable full-day safari with Wilpattu Safaris!
We discovered their website while browsing online and were immediately drawn to their unique and thoughtful concept: a dedicated guide, an expert naturalist, and an experienced driver working together as a team. Their strong local presence, well-designed website, and captivating photography convinced us to book with them.
Our guide Roger shared an incredible wealth of knowledge about the wildlife and ecosystems of Wilpattu. Beyond the facts, we truly appreciated his deep respect for nature, genuine kindness, and infectious positive energy. He made the entire experience feel personal and enriching.
Our driver Nadun was clearly highly skilled and experienced in navigating the challenging terrain of the national park, making us feel safe and comfortable throughout the journey.
We were incredibly lucky with sightings — leopards, a sloth bear, crocodiles, jackals, buffaloes, and a dazzling variety of colorful birdlife.
The homemade breakfast and lunch they provided were absolutely delicious — fresh, flavorful, and clearly prepared with care. It was a real treat to enjoy authentic Sri Lankan food right in the heart of the wilderness.
They also arranged a private taxi pickup and drop-off to and from our resort in Anuradhapura, which made the entire day completely hassle-free and comfortable from start to finish.
Stuti (thank you) to guide Roger, driver Nadun, and the entire Wilpattu Safaris team for an extraordinary day we’ll never forget.
We discovered their website while browsing online and were immediately drawn to their unique and thoughtful concept: a dedicated guide, an expert naturalist, and an experienced driver working together as a team. Their strong local presence, well-designed website, and captivating photography convinced us to book with them.
Our guide Roger shared an incredible wealth of knowledge about the wildlife and ecosystems of Wilpattu. Beyond the facts, we truly appreciated his deep respect for nature, genuine kindness, and infectious positive energy. He made the entire experience feel personal and enriching.
Our driver Nadun was clearly highly skilled and experienced in navigating the challenging terrain of the national park, making us feel safe and comfortable throughout the journey.
We were incredibly lucky with sightings — leopards, a sloth bear, crocodiles, jackals, buffaloes, and a dazzling variety of colorful birdlife.
The homemade breakfast and lunch they provided were absolutely delicious — fresh, flavorful, and clearly prepared with care. It was a real treat to enjoy authentic Sri Lankan food right in the heart of the wilderness.
They also arranged a private taxi pickup and drop-off to and from our resort in Anuradhapura, which made the entire day completely hassle-free and comfortable from start to finish.
Stuti (thank you) to guide Roger, driver Nadun, and the entire Wilpattu Safaris team for an extraordinary day we’ll never forget.
We did a full day safari with our nature guide Mindaka who was incredibly knowledgeable and a great wildlife photographer. Along with our driver they were very proactive at finding wildlife and negotiating the park.
Though be aware in the morning the park is busy with many jeeps, especially if there is an animal sighting there can be large ques. The afternoon of the full day was quieter with fewer jeeps and a more relaxed feeling.
Though be aware in the morning the park is busy with many jeeps, especially if there is an animal sighting there can be large ques. The afternoon of the full day was quieter with fewer jeeps and a more relaxed feeling.
We had an incredible time at Wilpattu National Park! Both our driver and naturalist were professionals and nice/friendly. We had breakfast, lunch, and snacks which was great while being in the car all day. We even saw a leopard too which was the icing on top!
We booked a full day with Wilpattu Safari and loved the experience.
We had the chance to see lots of different animals including the famous leopard! The driver and the naturalist really have an eye for finding hidden animals or birds. In the end, we were able to see: leopards, elephants, bears, lots of different deer, turtles, mongooses, squirrels, crocodiles, buffaloes, monkeys, peacocks, large lizards and lots of magnificent birds.
If we had to do it again, we would come back! THANKS!
We had the chance to see lots of different animals including the famous leopard! The driver and the naturalist really have an eye for finding hidden animals or birds. In the end, we were able to see: leopards, elephants, bears, lots of different deer, turtles, mongooses, squirrels, crocodiles, buffaloes, monkeys, peacocks, large lizards and lots of magnificent birds.
If we had to do it again, we would come back! THANKS!
Easily the highlight of our trip, the drivers and guides are amazing! Asinka and Mindaka were so impressive and enthusiastic. Sachi made organising this so easy, and was so accommodating to requests we had (pick up, dietary requirements).
We were incredibly lucky with our sightings: if you’re set on seeing one specific animal, book more than one day because there are no guarantees. Having said that, these guys work so hard to make it happen!
You might not see a bear or a leopard but you will still have an amazing time, and you will see an incredible range of wildlife in its natural habitat. Would pick this company again in a heartbeat, I’ve have already recommended them to friends and family who are planning trips to Sri Lanka.
We were incredibly lucky with our sightings: if you’re set on seeing one specific animal, book more than one day because there are no guarantees. Having said that, these guys work so hard to make it happen!
You might not see a bear or a leopard but you will still have an amazing time, and you will see an incredible range of wildlife in its natural habitat. Would pick this company again in a heartbeat, I’ve have already recommended them to friends and family who are planning trips to Sri Lanka.
Incredible experience with Wilpattu Safari. I spent 3 days looking for Leopards and Sloth bears in Wilpattu NP with lots of success. Really appreciate being with a guide and driver who understands photography and went out of their way yo get me in the right position. Great communication from start to finish. Highly recommend and will be back!
We were very satisfied with our chosen provider. At 5 a.m. sharp the driver picked us up in Anuratapura and took us to the entrance to the national park. About the safari itself: Our jeep driver and our guide were very experienced, were able to show us over 30 animals and tell us a lot about them. The experience particularly paid off when we looked for the Leopard and was one of only 6 cars to find it. Our guide knew exactly where to look. Luckily, he was also a wildlife photographer and took the shot with his pro camera at just the right moment and made the photo available to us. We are very grateful for that. The food was also very tasty. 5 out of 5 stars. Without any compromises.
Mindaka was a great guide! My sister and I really enjoyed the full day safari with him. We even managed to spot a leopard 🐆 bonus points for Mindaka being a wild photographer. We got a great souvenir of beautiful leopard shots. 😊
I had a great tour with these guys. My guide Jani was fantastic; loads of knowledge and amazing at spotting wildlife.
We saw leopards and sloth bears (plus crocodiles, buffalo, different kinds of deer, turtle, tortoise, lizards, tons of birdlife and more).
The jeep was super-comfortable. I get occasional lower back pains but 10+ hours in this Jeep was no problem.
The breakfast & lunch were also very tasty!
I would highly recommend this company.
We saw leopards and sloth bears (plus crocodiles, buffalo, different kinds of deer, turtle, tortoise, lizards, tons of birdlife and more).
The jeep was super-comfortable. I get occasional lower back pains but 10+ hours in this Jeep was no problem.
The breakfast & lunch were also very tasty!
I would highly recommend this company.
We had an amazing day with Wilpattu safaris 10/10
Communication arranging the booking was very clear and helpful
The day it self was just incredible.. at first we were not sure to get a guide next to the driver but is was very worth it. Mindaka was very knowledgeable and puts a lot of effort and passion in to the park itself. He not only knows a lot about the animals but also their behaviour, allowing for great encounters with Leopards and anything else. Our driver Chamo was very skilled in understanding where to position the jeep in order to spent time with the animals without threatening their natural behavior and keeping other visitors in mind
Unforgettable and very worth it. Thank you!!
Communication arranging the booking was very clear and helpful
The day it self was just incredible.. at first we were not sure to get a guide next to the driver but is was very worth it. Mindaka was very knowledgeable and puts a lot of effort and passion in to the park itself. He not only knows a lot about the animals but also their behaviour, allowing for great encounters with Leopards and anything else. Our driver Chamo was very skilled in understanding where to position the jeep in order to spent time with the animals without threatening their natural behavior and keeping other visitors in mind
Unforgettable and very worth it. Thank you!!
Really interesting safari. The guys who followed us all day were very kind. The nice thing about this place is that being a natural park, the animals are totally free. We also managed to see two Leopards. An experience that I recommend for those who love seeing animals in their own habitat and without too much tourist chaos.
Superb safari with Mindaka (our guide) and Gihan (our driver).
The first hour and a half gave us some uncertainties about the day: back and forth always on the few meters of tracks, discussions between drivers each time we cross paths before heading back and heading back... Not too many explanations about what's going on, we get a little tossed around.
But in the end we lie in wait and our guide explains to us which leopard has been seen in the area, where its cubs are, etc. And half an hour later we come across her almost by chance.
A little later, a second leopard found in another section of the park.
And crocodiles, turtles, lobsters, an elephant (well, just its butt), etc.
You have a good experience, but it must be said otherwise you were lucky to come across these two leopards.
The first hour and a half gave us some uncertainties about the day: back and forth always on the few meters of tracks, discussions between drivers each time we cross paths before heading back and heading back... Not too many explanations about what's going on, we get a little tossed around.
But in the end we lie in wait and our guide explains to us which leopard has been seen in the area, where its cubs are, etc. And half an hour later we come across her almost by chance.
A little later, a second leopard found in another section of the park.
And crocodiles, turtles, lobsters, an elephant (well, just its butt), etc.
You have a good experience, but it must be said otherwise you were lucky to come across these two leopards.
We got up early to go on a safari in Wildpattu. We did not have high expectations because we have already done several safaris in South Africa, but our expectations were exceeded! Mahela and Nandun are two wildlife spotting experts. You can see that these men have a passion for what they do! Mahela informed us well about the animals and the park in which they live. Do you want a top safari? Then book your Safari here!
Incredible safari - well run with really knowledgeable guides. Managed to get us to see two different sets of leopards. They got up incredibly early to make sure we were the first jeep in the park and we're brilliant throughout the day - provided food and drinks and we ended up having a private jeep. So glad we went to wilpattu rather than yala.
We had a great safari and were able to see quite a lot of animals. We also saw leopards and a sloth bear. Our driver and tour guide always took us to the right spots to quickly see the animals. All of our questions were always answered and we simply had a wonderful day.
A fantastic place to get your Wilpattu safari experience! Very enthusiastic people who take you on a great adventure! The staff is very kind, speaks good English and do their utter best to make the safari a lasting memory.
Amazing day in Wilpattu National Park..Mindika is a great guide..He is truly very knowledgeable..We saw 4 Leopards,Sloth Bear and some other animals ..Highly Recommend..Looking forward to come again for full day safari..
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I recently had an incredible safari experience in Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka. Our knowledgeable guide and skilled chauffeur made the journey unforgettable. We spotted a stunning variety of birds and other animals. But the highlight was seeing a majestic leopard in its natural habitat—an awe-inspiring moment I'll never forget. We also enjoyed a lovely lunch in the midst of nature, which added to the overall experience. The entire trip was well-organized, informative, and filled with breathtaking wildlife encounters. A must-do for any nature lover!
A Wilpattu NP safari experience as good as it gets, with mahela and chamith a most competent, experienced driver/tracker/naturalist who has lived at the doorsteps of Wilpattu all his life and is intimately familiar with the area's wildlife. The open-style vehicle in use is better for driver / passenger communications than the common jeeps with enclosed driver cabs. A highly recommended safari business we look forward to using again
It was the first time going on a Safari and the experience was amazing! The guide was always letting me know as soon he would spot a hidden animal and we did see leopards! Apart from that, he was sharing with me information about the animals which I found very interesting! I highly recommend this experience!
We had an amazing time! The wildlife was superb. 3 leopard 🐆 sightings & from very close for about 20 min without any other jeeps around! Also lots of other animals & birds and to finish it off a sighting of a sloth bear.
A good driver/spotter! Found all the right places & food nice as well.
Thank you very much!
A good driver/spotter! Found all the right places & food nice as well.
Thank you very much!
We had a wonderful safari.Thank you for giving us an amazing experience..highly recommend Team Wilpattu safaris
An unforgettable days in wilpattu breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, knowledgeable guide, and a perfect blend of excitement and education. Highly recommended!
Wilpattu stories have no bounds and I am yet to meet a better storytelling duo than Mindaka and Asinka put together!
Excellent service, friendly, so knowledgeable about the animals and National park, their recommendations on sightings and animal behavior is excellent! And their all inclusive packages have so much more than they promise from food that they offer, their tracking skills, and amazing awareness of the nature, lighting and photography inspiration. Their prices are great and they have so much to share.
I would highly recommend them to amateur photographers to professional photographers alike! Can’t wait for the next tour with them
Excellent service, friendly, so knowledgeable about the animals and National park, their recommendations on sightings and animal behavior is excellent! And their all inclusive packages have so much more than they promise from food that they offer, their tracking skills, and amazing awareness of the nature, lighting and photography inspiration. Their prices are great and they have so much to share.
I would highly recommend them to amateur photographers to professional photographers alike! Can’t wait for the next tour with them
Wilpattu Safaris led by naturalist Mindaka Mahela and driver Asinka provided an exceptional wildlife experience. Mindaka's deep knowledge and passion for the flora and fauna of Wilpattu National Park enriched the safari with insightful commentary and rare sightings. Asinka's expert navigation ensured we saw diverse wildlife in their natural habitat. The personalized attention and professionalism of the team made it a memorable adventure, highly recommended for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.
Been traveling with the very knowledgeable Naturalist Mindaka Mahela and exceptional safari driver Asinka from Wilpattu, since 2017. Never failed on a single tour, never left the National park empty handed. This duo has made sure that we always had an unforgettable experience every time!
Highly recommended duo to take on your tour to Wilpattu National Park! Quite difficult to get hold of both these local celebrities in short notice tho. But if booked and reserve early, you’re in for one of the best safari experiences of your life!
Highly recommended duo to take on your tour to Wilpattu National Park! Quite difficult to get hold of both these local celebrities in short notice tho. But if booked and reserve early, you’re in for one of the best safari experiences of your life!
Had an amazing experience at Wilpattu with Asinka as our Safari Jeep Driver from Wilpattu Safaris. Great service from the start. They had planned out our Full Day safari with eveything included from tickets to meals to refreshments in their package. Very reasonable prices and exceptional service. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting Wilpattu to get their tours with Wilpattu Safaris.