Wilpattu is defined by its villu lakes, natural circular water holes in the forest that hold water through the dry season and attract wildlife throughout the day. Far fewer visitors than Yala, a very different atmosphere, and a quality of photographic light that serious wildlife photographers often prefer. Leopard sightings are possible but not promised.
Minneriya National Park
Site of one of Asia’s largest wild elephant gatherings
As the dry season lowers the Minneriya reservoir, wild elephant herds converge on the exposed lake edge in numbers that have no equivalent in Sri Lanka. During the peak months, hundreds of elephants gather in one place. Kaudulla National Park, five kilometres away, is active year-round and usually has elephant sightings outside the Minneriya season.
