BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK
Bundala National Park is a spectacular wetland sanctuary on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, celebrated for its astonishing avian biodiversity and coastal lagoon ecosystems. It’s an essential stopover for migratory birds.
This unique UNESCO Biosphere Reserve encompasses diverse habitats—from scrub jungle to sandy beaches—creating a rich haven for resident and migratory bird species, as well as significant populations of mammals and reptiles.
Most Popular Attractions
Wetland Sanctuaries & Coastal Lagoons:
Bundala Wewa: The largest and most vital lagoon within the park, a critical feeding ground for aquatic birds like Greater Flamingos and pelicans.
Bundala Bridge: A key vantage point for viewing the entire expanse of the main lagoon, often featuring large flocks of waders and terns.
Embilikala Kalapuwa (Lagoon): A saline coastal lagoon famous for attracting huge flocks of migratory birds, especially during the winter season.
Maha Lewaya (Salt Pan): A natural salt pan offering a stark, shimmering landscape that attracts birds adapted to highly saline environments.
Koholankala Kalapuwa: The easternmost lagoon, known for its beautiful sunrises and good sightings of resident kingfishers and raptors.
Pahala Wewa: A smaller freshwater area within the park boundaries, providing an important drinking source for animals during the dry season.
Wildlife Viewing & Safari Routes:
Patangala: A coastal rock outcrop and picnic spot, known for panoramic sea views and occasional sightings of sea turtles on the beach.
The Main Jeep Track Loop: The primary safari route that traverses the park, linking the major lagoons and scrub areas, offering the highest chance of diverse sightings.
The Sand Dunes: Areas where the scrub jungle meets the coast, providing good habitat for small mammals and reptiles, and a unique visual contrast.
Elephant Corridor: Specific tracks near the park’s edges where Asian elephants occasionally traverse, connecting Bundala with neighboring habitats.
The Dry Scrubland: The central habitat of the park, where mammals like Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, and Grey Langurs are frequently spotted.
Key Flora & Fauna Sightings (Focus Areas):
Birdwatcher’s Point: Any number of designated stops along the tracks offering unobstructed views of lagoon bird activity, ideal for photography.
Water Buffalo Herd Area: Specific muddy watering holes where domestic and wild water buffalo congregate, often surrounded by egrets.
Crocodile Spotting Bays: Sheltered, often marshy areas within the lagoons where Estuarine (Saltwater) Crocodiles and Mugger Crocodiles bask.
Peacock Perches: Tall trees or prominent mounds where Indian Peafowl (peacocks and peahens) display their plumage, especially at dawn and dusk.
Painted Stork Colony: Areas in the mangroves or low trees near the lagoons where Painted Storks often nest during the breeding season.
Spotting Deer Grazing Plains: Open grassy patches where large numbers of Spotted Deer are visible, often watched by predators.
Coastal Turtle Nesting Beaches: (Seasonal) Specific, protected beach stretches where Green and Olive Ridley sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs.
Bee-Eater Nests: Banks of earth along the tracks where Blue-tailed Bee-eaters dig their nesting burrows.
Jackal Hunting Grounds: Early morning or late afternoon sightings of Golden Jackals moving through the scrub or along the beach.
Monitor Lizard Basking Sites: Rocks or dead tree trunks where large Bengal Monitor Lizards absorb the morning sun.
Activities & Experiences
Go on an Early Morning Safari: Maximize your chances of seeing leopards, sloth bears, and most importantly, the park’s incredible birdlife, as this is the most active time for wildlife.
Target the Greater Flamingo Flocks: Bundala is a crucial wintering ground for migratory birds. Seek out the massive flocks of Greater Flamingoes, which create a spectacular pink sight on the lagoons.
Birdwatching by the Five Lagoons: Spend time specifically at each of the five brackish lagoons (Bundala, Embilikala, Malala, Koholankala, and Karagan Lewaya) to spot different species of aquatic birds.
Spot the Marsh Crocodile: Look for the large Marsh Crocodiles (Mugger) sunning themselves on the banks or floating in the water near the water bodies.
Track the Asian Elephants: While less numerous than in nearby parks like Yala, keep an eye out for solitary bulls or small herds of Asian elephants that frequent the park’s scrubland.
Learn About the Ecosystem’s Salinity: Talk to your guide about the unique brackish water ecosystem, which supports both freshwater and saltwater species, making the park ecologically distinct.
Search for Sea Turtles (Seasonal): The park is a nesting site for four species of sea turtles (Green, Olive Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead). If visiting during nesting season, ask about guided late-night beach observations outside the park limits.
Visit the Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary: Extend your birding trip to the nearby Kalametiya area, a Ramsar wetland, which offers boat safaris and a different array of local and migratory birds.
Hike the Coastal Sand Dunes: Walk (with your guide) along the perimeter near the coast to appreciate the unique landscape of shifting sand dunes that separate the lagoons from the sea.
Capture a Sunset Landscape: Position your jeep near one of the large, tranquil lagoons at dusk to photograph the dramatic orange and pink skies reflecting over the water.
Take a Safari Photography Workshop: The vast, open water bodies and clear sightlines make Bundala an excellent location for bird and wildlife photography; hire a specialized guide.
Local Tips & Transport
4×4 Safari Jeep is Essential: Bundala is a protected area with unpaved, often sandy tracks. You cannot enter the park in a regular vehicle. You must hire an authorized 4×4 safari jeep and a licensed driver/tracker.
Getting to Bundala: The park is located near the town of Tissamaharama (Tissa) and Hambantota. The most common way to arrive is via private taxi or three-wheeler from Tissa or the main south coast cities (e.g., Mirissa, Galle).
Air Travel: The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) is relatively close, but Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the main international hub. Many visitors combine the area with a transfer from CMB by car or domestic flight to a local airstrip.
Self-Driving is NOT an Option: Even if you have a rental car, you must leave it outside and enter the park in a safari jeep. It is illegal and unsafe to drive a private car inside the national park.
The Best Time to Visit: The prime season for migratory birdlife is from September to March, with the biggest concentration of flamingoes typically appearing between December and February. Wildlife viewing is best during the dry season (May to September).
Focus on Birdlife: While Bundala has leopards, elephants, and crocodiles, its primary claim to fame is its status as a Ramsar Wetland of international importance. Approach the safari with an emphasis on its 200+ bird species for the most rewarding experience.
Strict Park Rules: Stay inside your safari vehicle at all times, except at designated lookout points. Do not feed the animals, and take all your garbage out of the park with you. Your driver/guide is the final authority on park rules.
Brackish Water: The lagoons are brackish (a mix of fresh and sea water), which is a key part of the park’s ecosystem. This salinity makes the area unsuitable for swimming or boating (except for park officials).
Clothing and Gear: Wear earth-toned clothing to blend in and bring a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunblock. A good pair of binoculars is a must for birdwatching.
Hidden Gems:
- The Malala-Embilikala Lagoon Complex: These two large lagoons are often the best places to spot flamingoes and large gatherings of waders.
- Tissa Wewa: While outside the park, the large ancient reservoir in nearby Tissamaharama is a beautiful spot for an evening stroll, often frequented by local fishermen and many bird species.
- The Park’s Coastal Strip: This area offers a dramatic contrast between the desert-like sand dunes, the lagoons, and the Indian Ocean, providing excellent photo opportunities outside of the major wildlife viewing areas.