Wilpattu covers 1,317 square kilometres of dry evergreen forest in the northwest of the island and is largely untouched by the tourism that has developed in parks further south. The park is famous for its natural lakes, which attract wildlife, including the highest density of Sri Lankan leopards, as well as sloth bears, elephants, spotted deer and a wide variety of birdlife. Wilpattu has a primeval, undisturbed quality that sets it apart from other parks, and the absence of large crowds means that game drives feel exploratory.