Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park is Sri Lanka’s largest, its name referring to the many natural lakes, or villus, scattered through the dry-zone forest that give the park its distinctive character. Leopard sightings here are a real draw, and because the park receives far fewer visitors than Yala, game drives tend to feel considerably less crowded. Sloth bear, elephant and a wide range of birdlife round out a park that rewards patience over the course of a full day.