Leopard Trails Wilpattu

Leopard Trails Wilpattu: A Luxury Safari Camp Experience in Sri Lanka’s Untamed North

An authentic tented luxury camp beneath Sri Lanka’s northern stars, Leopard Trails Wilpattu is where leopards roam, campfires glow, and wild luxury unfolds in one of the country’s most remote corners. Tucked into the tranquil north-western buffer zone of Wilpattu National Park, this boutique safari camp offers an immersive escape into Sri Lanka’s largest and oldest protected wilderness. Wildlife is the main event here, with expertly guided game drives taking you deep into leopard and sloth bear territory—far from the jeep convoys of Yala, in a park where safaris return to their roots, the tempo slows, and nature is at one.

Located around 3.5 hours by private car from Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport, Leopard Trails is often one of the first stops on a tailor-made journey through Sri Lanka, following a restful night or two in the capital. Surrounded by the magnificence of nature, with no Wi-Fi and no distractions, it’s the kind of place that invites you to truly switch off. Mornings begin with birdsong and end under a canopy of stars.

For Discerning Collection guests, a host of thoughtful inclusions are provided as standard. These cover your accommodation in air-conditioned, en-suite tents; two expertly guided game drives each day; all meals—from generous breakfasts to lantern-lit dinners—as well as drinks and snacks while out on safari. A curated selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is available back at camp, and all park entry fees, taxes, and transfers to and from the designated pick-up point are seamlessly taken care of, so the experience feels effortless from the moment you arrive.

Leopard Trails is a far from ordinary hotel, but rather a luxury safari camp that blends the charm of glamping with all the mod cons and creature comforts you could want — and the rare luxury of not being connected. It’s a thoughtful outpost on the edge of the wild, where the rustle of the canopy and the call of the jungle replace phones and Wi-Fi. Accommodation is under canvas — six elegant safari tents designed with understated charm and comfort. The three Deluxe Tents, ideal for couples or small families, feature queen-size beds, polished hardwoods, and en-suite bathrooms with hot showers and twin vanities. The Suite Tents and Pool Suite Tents offer greater space and privacy, with generous verandas for quiet afternoons spent watching the light shift through the trees.

Days are shaped by early morning and late afternoon game drives, when the chances of spotting Sri Lanka’s elusive leopard or the endearing sloth bear are highest. But it’s the camp itself that so often captures hearts. Evenings gather around the firepit, where guests exchange stories with their guides and other residents, share sightings over sundowners, and ease into the rhythm of life in the bush. At the centre of it all is Malmi, Leopard Trails’ extraordinary chief ranger—a man whose knowledge of Wilpattu’s flora and fauna is encyclopaedic, and whose passion is utterly infectious. A safari with Malmi is the ultimate Leopard Trails Experience.

Though blissfully off-grid, Leopard Trails is surprisingly well equipped. The all-inclusive offering covers all meals, game drives, park fees, and a curated selection of local wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks. Meals are a highlight: generous, flavoursome, and shared alfresco beneath the stars. Enjoy authentic Sri Lankan dishes and some international comfort food is available on request, with menus easily tailored to dietary needs and, of course, the littlest people in your life.

This is a wonderful experience for families. The Junior Ranger Programme offers children a chance to connect with the wild—tracking prints, learning animal calls, and soaking up the forest with wide eyes and dusty boots. It’s relaxed, hands-on and gently educational, encouraging a lifelong love of the natural world.

At night, guests padlock themselves into their tents and drift off to the nocturnal soundtrack of the jungle. This is real wilderness, where lizards scurry, fireflies flash, and the stars feel just a little bit closer. It may not suit those uneasy with bugs and beasts, but for anyone seeking a safari with soul, Leopard Trails Wilpattu delivers something deeply memorable. There are no fences here, no distractions—just a rare chance to properly switch off and connect with nature in one of Sri Lanka’s most magical landscapes.

Many of our guests travel to Sri Lanka as part of a wider journey, taking in multiple regions to experience the island’s extraordinary diversity. Leopard Trails, Wilpattu, is often just one stop on a much broader tailor-made itinerary. To explore how this hotel might fit into your own bespoke journey, visit the ‘Tailor-Made Itineraries’ tab or get in touch — we’d be delighted to help you make the most of your time on this vast and varied island.