Wilpattu is the largest and one of the oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. The park has 1,317 sq km (131,693) hectares land extent on Northwest lowland dry zone with 35 km west border alongside the North -Western coast of Sri Lanka. The park has unique eco system and the name "Wilpattu" has derived from the term of "Area of Willus" (Natural Lakes). Willus are are natural sand-rimmed water basins fed by rainwater during the rainy season (October to February) and approximately One hundred and Six lakes (Willus) and Tanks are scattered inside the park. As a result of this unique eco system, the park is declared as the Sixth Ramsar Wetland in Sri Lanka.
The main entrance of the park is located at Hunuwilgama, 7 km off from Puttalam - Anuradhapura road (180 km North of Colombo and 30 km west from the ancient city of Anuradhapura) and the second entrance is located at Eluwankulama, near Kalpitiya in Puttalam.
The Park can be visited throughout the year. However from February to October would be the best time to visit as the dry weather condition during these months will attract many wild animals to the water bodies in the park especially in the evening and morning hours. The park has a different view from October to February as the monsoon brings lush green vegetation to the forest cover and grasslands of the park with various blooming wild flowers. Travel within the park during this season will be difficult due to muddy and flooded trails.