Wilpattu National Park is Sri Lanka's largest national park, covering over 1,300 square kilometers of pristine wilderness in the northwest. The name "Wilpattu" means "Land of Lakes" in Sinhalese, referring to the park's unique feature: 60 natural lakes called "villus" scattered throughout the landscape.
These villus create a distinctive ecosystem unlike any other park in Sri Lanka. The lakes are surrounded by dense forest, attracting wildlife to their shores for drinking and bathing. This makes Wilpattu an excellent place for wildlife photography, with animals often framed against tranquil water.
Reopened in 2010 after being closed for nearly 20 years due to civil conflict, Wilpattu offers a quieter, more exclusive safari experience than Yala. The park has a healthy leopard population, and the relaxed atmosphere means leopards here are often more tolerant of vehicles.
