Wilpattu in May: Dry Season Arrives — Peak Wildlife at the Start
May marks the official start of Wilpattu's dry season. Wildlife begins to concentrate around the shrinking villus at a rapid pace. This is when the park transforms — the golden-brown landscape opens up, visibility improves dramatically, and predator activity picks up. May is also the start of sloth bear prime season as Palu trees fruit heavily.
Weather
Temperatures 26-35°C. Hot and very dry. Dust is prevalent. The landscape is now fully golden-brown. Afternoon temperatures peak around 2-3 PM. Early morning drives (5:30-8:30 AM) and late afternoon drives (3:30-6:30 PM) are the productive windows.
Wildlife Highlights
Leopard territories are at their smallest — easiest tracking of the year begins. Sloth bears are highly active feeding on Palu fruits — this is the best bear month. Spotted deer and sambar concentrate around remaining water. Water buffalo gather at Lunuwewa in larger numbers. Resident birds are plentiful but less active in the midday heat.
Photography
Classic dry season conditions. Clear golden-hour light. Dust creates atmospheric beams. Wildlife is more visible in the open. The golden-brown landscape provides warm tones. Heat haze is a challenge midday.