| Area | 1,317 km² (131,693 hectares) |
|---|---|
| Status | one of the oldest national parks in Sri Lanka |
| Feature | about 106 natural lakes (willus) and tanks |
| Location | 30 km west of Anuradhapura, about 180 km north of Colombo |
| Elevation | 0 to 152 m |
Sri Lanka – Getting to know Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu is the largest of Sri Lanka’s National Parks, and protects a healthy leopard population, as well as elephants, sloth bears, crocs, cobra, pythons and turtles, alongside many bird species including spoonbills and the elegant large white egret. Visitors have a chance of seeing the muntjac or barking deer, and the park’s butterfly population is also worth attention.
Sri Lanka Wilpattu National Park Travel Guide
Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1905, and elevated to National Park status some 30 years later, Wilpattu protects a massive 131,693 hectares. The leopards here are still being counted – although their numbers may not rival Yala’s high density population, Wilpattu’s leopards are still world-renowned.
Situated in Sri Lanka’s dry zone, Wilpattu is unlike any other wildlife sanctuary on the island. A unique complex of over 50 wetland areas called ‘villu’, these basins are the park’s most prominent topographical feature. ‘Villu’ are shallow natural lakes that fill with rainwater, and are usually surrounded by open grassy plains amidst the dense scrub jungle that predominates elsewhere.
The villu, with their abundance of water, are topped up during the main rainy season between September and December, when the park enjoys heavy downpours courtesy of the northeast monsoon. They act as natural reservoirs during the annual drought, which lasts from May to September.
Weather in Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park is situated in the dry lowlands of the island’s north-west, and comprises a series of lakes – known as villus – which the park’s creatures often depend on. The park’s average temperature is 27 degrees centigrade; annual rainfall is 1000mm; and the best time to visit is between February and October.
The park of lakes
English Wikipedia describes Wilpattu as one of the oldest national parks in Sri Lanka, distinguished by willus, natural sand-rimmed basins that fill with rainwater. It lies on the northwest coast lowland dry zone, 30 kilometers west of Anuradhapura and about 180 kilometers north of Colombo, covers 1,317 square kilometers, and has nearly 106 lakes and tanks. The Mahavansa records that Prince Vijaya landed at the nearby Kudrimalai Point in 543 BC. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. We have not verified the older text on prices, opening hours, safari rules or tours, so check them before you go.
Sources (read in English, English Wikipedia): Wilpattu National Park. Last checked November 2026.
Wilpattu National Park: FAQ
How big is Wilpattu?
1,317 square kilometers.
What is a willu?
A natural, sand-rimmed basin that fills with rainwater.
How many lakes are there?
Nearly 106 lakes and tanks.
Where is it?
30 km west of Anuradhapura.
How many days do you need?
One safari day.