Bundala National Park

This safari takes you through the Bundala Bird Park, a sanctuary for migratory waterbirds, offering a vibrant display of birdlife in a Ramsar Wetland. As you explore, you'll encounter a variety of colorful birds that migrate to Sri Lanka for winter. Additionally, butterfly enthusiasts will be delighted with the abundance of species fluttering through the diverse ecosystems. The park’s varied landscapes, from lagoons to grasslands, offer a rich biodiversity perfect for both birdwatchers and nature lovers. This journey provides a rewarding exploration of one of Sri Lanka’s most important wetlands, combining tranquility with the excitement of wildlife discovery.

Things to do from Bundala

Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park is located 251 km southeast of Colombo, close to the city of Hambantota in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.

Reaching Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park can be reached by the A2 main motor road that runs from Colombo to Hambantota.

Climate at the Bundala National Park

The general climate of Bundala National Park is hot and dry. While the average temperature is 27 degrees Celsius, the annual rainfall varies between 900 mm and 1300 mm. The dry season falls between May and September. The best time to visit is September to March, during which migratory birds arrive at the park.

Bundala National Park spreads over an area of 6,216 hectares and consists mainly of dry thorny scrublands, marshes, and four brackish lagoons. The terrain is generally flat with sand dunes bordering the coastline.

Birdlife at the Bundala National Park

Each species of waterbird found in Sri Lanka is believed to visit Bundala National Park. Nearly 200 species of birds have been recorded within the park, of which 58 species are migratory.

During September to March, hordes of migrants arrive in Bundala; among them are marsh and curlew sandpiper, curlew and greenshank, golden and Kentish plover, large and lesser sandplovers. While the broad-billed sandpiper and red-necked phalarope are rare visitors, the most famous migratory bird is the greater flamingo. Hordes of flamingos are one of the most common sights. In this period over 10,000 shorebirds might be feeding on any one day.

The lagoons at the park attract a great variety of aquatic birds: among them are ibis, pelicans, painted storks, black-necked stork, terns, gulls, sandpipers, snipes, teals, egrets, and spoonbills. Endemic birds include the brown-capped babbler, Ceylon woodshrike, and Ceylon junglefowl.

Mammals at the Bundala National Park

Bundala is home to 32 species of mammals. Among them are civets, wild boars, grey and ruddy mongoose, porcupine, giant Indian palm squirrels, black-naped hares, spotted deer, wild buffalo, the endemic jackal, and fishing and rusty-spotted cats. The most commonly seen mammals are the hordes of grey langur and toque macaque.

Elephants at the Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park shelters a small population of elephants that varies between 25 and 60 depending on the season.

Amphibians & Reptiles at the Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park is a habitat for several species of reptiles. Bundala abounds with estuarine crocodile and mugger crocodile. The coastal area attracts loggerhead turtle, green turtle, hawksbill turtle, and olive ridley—four out of Sri Lanka’s five marine turtle species—which come ashore to lay their eggs between October and January. Watching egg-laying turtles at night on the beaches of Bundala is a memorable experience for many visitors.

Vegetation at the Bundala National Park

Among the 383 species of plants that have been recorded in Bundala, six are endemic species and seven are nationally threatened. The prominent species are Weera (Drypetes sepiaria), Palu (Manilkara hexandra), Satin (Chloroxylon swietenia), Kohomba (Azadirachta indica), and Divul (Limonia acidissima). The dominant scrub is Andara.

Conservation measures proposed at Bundala National Park

CEA’s conservation management plan and IUCN’s biodiversity assessment report have proposed several management initiatives for Bundala National Park. These include re-demarcation of park boundaries, relocating groups of inhabitants living within the park, arresting the spread of invasive alien species, creating irrigation structures, and managing livestock grazing within the park.