Kumana National Park is a place for birdwatching in Sri Lanka. It is a park that covers a lot of land on the southeastern coast of the island. Kumana National Park used to be called Yala East. This park is very special because it has a mangrove swamp called Kumana Villu. Lots of birds come to Kumana Villu to nest. People who like to watch birds and animals can come to Kumana National Park. It is an peaceful place. You can see leopards, elephants and birds in their home. The park has lagoons, salt marshes and old ruins.

The Ultimate Birdwatching and Wildlife Safari

The best part of Kumana National Park is the mangrove swamp. It is like a home for birds. When it is time for birds to have babies you can see a lot of them in the swamp. There are black-necked storks, lesser adjutants, Eurasian spoonbills, great thick-knees and glossy ibises. They all come to the swamp to nest. It is a place to take pictures of birds. You can see over two hundred kinds of birds in Kumana National Park. Some of these birds are very colorful and beautiful.

Kumana National Park is not just for birds. It is also a home for animals like elephants and leopards. You can see these animals when you go on a safari. The park has a lot of elephants, water buffaloes and crocodiles. Sometimes you can see a Sri Lankan leopard or a sloth bear. They like to come out when it’s fruit season.

Ancient Heritage Hidden in the Wilderness

Kumana National Park is a place because it has a lot of history. There are ruins in the park that are very interesting. You can see rock writings and a big Buddha statue. The park is also a place where people come to walk and pray. They call this walk the Pada Yatra. People walk from Jaffna and Trincomalee to the jungle shrine of Kataragama. They think the whole forest is a temple.

Essential Travel Logistics

To get to Kumana National Park you have to go to the part of Sri Lanka. The town of Arugam Bay is near the park. You can drive to the park from Arugam Bay. It takes forty-five minutes. If you are coming from Colombo you can. Take a plane to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. Then you can drive to the park.

The best time to visit Kumana National Park is from March to September. This is when you can see a lot of birds. The park can be very wet from October to January. It is hard to walk in the park when it’s wet. When you go on a safari you should get up early in the morning. Go in the late afternoon. This is when the animals are most active. You should bring clothes that’re light and comfortable. You should also bring binoculars, a camera and water. There are no shops, in the park so you should pack food and water before you go.