14 November 2024 | 12 min
14 November 2024 | 12 min
The national park is located in southeastern Sri Lanka, Hambantota District. It is 245 kilometers from Colombo. It is around 8 hours’ drive to get to the park from Colombo. The park is located close to Yala National Park and Hambantota town.
Although this park is smaller compared to other national park in Sri Lanka there are a lot of attractions to explore. Here are those attractions:
One of the attractions which draw tourist to visit Bundala National Park is to see birds. This park is home to over 2000 bird species. 150 of these birds are endemic while 50 species are migratory.
Examples of the native bird’s species which you will see in this park include Spot-billed pelicans, painted storks, Sri Lankan jungle fowls, and blue-faced Malkova.
The migratory birds which fly from different destination camp in this park between September and March. If you visit during this time you will get to see birds such as Greater Flamingos and Black-tailed godwits.
If you are nature lover you will be excited to see different plant species at this park. Actually, there are over 380 plant species 6 that are endangered and 6 that are endemic. The examples of the plant species found at this park are the Hedge boxwood, Ceylon green wood, Malittan, and Ranawara.
As you walk around the park you will also come across invasive plants, such as the Kalapu Andara and Cactus, are also present. There are also coastal plants, such as the Vishnu granthi, Maha Rawana Rewla, and Muhudu Bim Samburu.
Bundala National Park is home for more than 30 species of mammals. Among the mammals which you will see that this include Indian buffaloes, porcupines, toque macaques, golden jackals, leopards, wild boars, sloth bears, Indian hares, giant squirrels, and deer.
You will also get to see elephants and around 15 of them are residents while the other come and go at various times.
Besides mammals there are also many reptiles at Bundala National Park. Examples are pythons, cobras, mugger crocodiles, water monitor lizards, and estuarine crocodiles at the park.
Along the Bundala coast of the park you can spot five turtle species Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, Loggerhead, Leatherback, and Green turtles.
There are a number of things or activities you can do when you visit Bundala National Park. Below is a list of those activities:
If you enjoy birdwatching this park is haven for birdwatchers. You will get to spot different bird species including the endemic Sri Lankan bird species to migratory bird species. You should bring your binoculars so that you get to see these birds up-close.
You can embark on exciting safari in a jeep to see the wildlife t Bundala National Park. You can either book the morning or evening safari. The birds and animals are easy to spot during these hours. The tour will take around 3 hours and will be carried 7 people in the jeep.
There are lagoons in the park and visitors are allowed to take your to see the tranquil blue lagoons, which will help you relax. The trips will allow you to see the park's extensive water life, as well as diverse birds.
You should carry a camera when visiting Bundala National Park so that you can take pictures of the birds and other animals in the park.
You can take pictures of the ravines, Flamingos vibrant shrubs or the gigantic elephants. If you are visiting in the evening you should take picture of the landscape at sunset.
It is important to know the best time to visit Bundala National Park which is from November to March because this is the ideal time when you can spot most of the animals.
It is also dry season so the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities. It is less humid and atmosphere is cool these are the right conditions for tourist to spend time exploring the park.
If your interest is to see birds in the park the best time to visit is from December to March. This is the time of the year when the migratory birds camp in the park. It is also the best time when you can spot the spot greater flamingos.
You need to have an entrance ticket to be allowed enter Bundala National Park. The cost of entrance ticket to Bundala National Park is as follows:
• Sri Lankan Adults- approx. LKR 60
• Sri Lankan Children- approx. LKR 30
• Foreign Adults- approx. $15 USD
• Foreign Children- approx. $8 USD
On top of entrance fee visitors are required to pay $8 USD as a guide service charge. The guides are responsible for your safety as you explore the park. They will also guide you to spot easily the birds and other animals in the park.
If you embark on a safari, the cost depends on the package you choose. You can choose either animal wildlife safari, bird safari, or even both.
If you are travelling from Colombo, you can take bus to the Hambantota bus stand. The distance is about 260 km. After you arrive at the bus stop you hire a tuk-tuk to reach to the national park.
The other option is to hire a taxi or cab from Colombo to the park. The cost will be on high end but it is convenient option more so if you are travelling with your family.
You should visit the Bundala National Park between Septembers to March. During these months you will be able to see the migratory bird species.
Bundala National Park is famous because it is birdwatcher's paradise. Other aspects which contribute to it being tourist attraction include the wildlife, wetlands and lagoons.
The Bundala National Park entrance fee is around INR 850. You will have to pay more if you have a vehicle and there are other charges like service charges and tax.