This national park was established to protect the catchment area of the Lunugamvehera reservoir and the wildlife in the area. The park mainly acts as a passageway for elephants to migrate from the Yala national park to the Udawalawe national park.

This park which was declared so as to protect the catchment area of the Lunugamvehera reservoir has similar wetland characteristics of Bundala National Park. The catchment area is vital to maintain the water levels of the five tanks in the stream of Kirindi Oya.

This park is situated 261 km southwest of Colombo and the elevation of the park is 91 metres. Out of 23,498 hectares of total land area 14 percent, that is 3283 ha, is land under the reservoir. the park is also exposed to the drought because Lunugamvehera is located in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka.

The park mainly acts as a passageway for elephants to migrate from the Yala national park to the Udawalawe national park. With many mosaic scrublands and grasslands the Lunugamvehera park consists of many forest layers.

The fauna of the park consists of 21 fish species, 12 amphibians, 33 reptiles, 183 birds and 43 mammals. Sri Lankan Elephant, Water buffalo, wild boar, Sri Lankan sambar deer, grizzled giant squirrel, Sri Lankan spotted Chevrotain, Asian palm civet, Sri Lankan axis deer are some of the common mammals that resides in this spectacular park.

Lunugamvehera is one of the protected areas where tufted gray lungur can be found in the wild.

A birder’s heaven, Sri Lanka. a tropical island in the Indian Ocean that is 10 degrees north of the equator and has a variety of favourable climates, as well as forests, grasslands, marshes, oceans, and agricultural fields. There are 439 species of birds in the nation, of which 236 are breeding residents, 203 are migratory, and the remainder are vagrants. With 33 endemic species and 68 unique subspecies of birds and a species endemism of 11% in a country as tiny as Sri Lanka, it is clear why Sri Lanka is one of the best birding destinations in the world. Included in this are endemic species such fowls, pigeons, parrots, parakeets, malkoha, coucal, owls, owlet, hornbills, barbets, magpies, bulbuls, warblers, babblers, thrushes, white-eyed mynah, starlings, and flycatchers, Flowerpecker, Pigeon, Barbet, Flameback, Woodshrike, Drongo and Swallow.

There are also up to 200 seasonal migratory species, both terrestrial and aquatic, that migrate south to avoid the harsh northern winters. These birds come from as far away as Siberia, Scandinavia, and Western Europe, and they arrive in the months of August and September and go in the months of April and May. Due to Sri Lanka’s location at the furthest southern point from the south of India and the absence of any other landmass till the South Pole, migratory birds often choose it as a wintering site. The Openbill, Ibis, Heron, Egrets, Pelicans, Comorant, Water-cock, Swamphen, Waterhen, Stilts, Duck, and Grebe are a few of the migratory birds.

The Kumana National Park, which is regarded as one of the most significant nesting and breeding sites in Sri Lanka, serves as the country’s primary bird refuge. A popular birding location, Bundala National Park is located at the southernmost point of the bird migration path and is home to large flocks of flamingos, herons, and storks. In addition to numerous tanks, reservoirs, lagoons, marshes, lakes, and rivers, the other locations include the Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary, Sinharaja Rain Forest, Bodinagala Forest Reserve, Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Kitulgala Forest Reserve, Yala, Willpattu, Udawalawe, Wasgamuwa, Minneriya and Horton Plains National Parks in addition to numerous tanks, reservoirs, lagoons, marshes, lakes and rivers.

Do you love elephants? Then make your way to the Elephant Transit Home situated within the Udawalawe National Park and see these gentle giants being nurtured and rehabilitated to be released back into the wild.

A refuge for orphaned baby elephants, facilitated by the Department of Wildlife Conversation and supported by the ‘Born Free Foundation’ from the UK, is the Elephant Transit Home.

The foremost objective of this establishment is to rehabilitate baby elephants that have been brought into the complex and taken care of until they are strong and well enough to be released back to the into their natural habitat. Most of the young elephants in this home are those who have been hurt and affected due to human populations increasing in number which take over the elephant natural habitat for farming, gem mining, timber and more, thereby causing a major threat to elephant survival resulting in many elephants being orphaned or lost. The parent elephants have either been killed or separated from their offspring as a result of such conflicts. Therefore the Elephant Transit Home takes in baby calves, nurture and care for them back to health.

The highly competent staff at the Elephant Transit Home does everything to make sure the elephants’ needs are satisfied. They provide them with food, medical care and necessary amenities. The elephants are free to roam around and are not chained and human contact is restricted to ensure maximum survival of the elephants.

Once the elephants have grown up and are strong enough to live alone in the wilderness, they are taken back into their natural habitat. The feeding time is a must see for visitors as you have the opportunity to see the elephants rushing forward with excitement. The orphans receive milk daily, every 3 hours at 9 am, 12 noon, 3 pm and 6 pm. The home is open to visitors during these specific times. Since care-taking is costly, the Department of Wildlife Conservation has initiated a foster parent system where people can make necessary donations for food and medicinal needs. These foster parents are entitled to certain privileges, one being given the ability to give the calf a name of your choice

The Knuckles Mountain Range, so named because of its striking resemblance to human knuckles, is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site attracting many hikers.

Hiking paths go through the thick forest, which is ringed by 34 magical mountains, which are between 900 and 2,000 meters high. There are flowing waterfalls everywhere, charming mountain communities, terraced rice fields, and a bevy of elusive creatures to be found. Located on the island’s southern coast, this 234-square-kilometer park showcases Sri Lanka’s stunning natural diversity.

Getting to the Knuckles Mountain Range

To get to the Knuckles Range, hikers usually use the major highway east of Kandy to Hunnsgiriya or A26. A B-grade road from Hunnasgiriya takes you to Corbett’s Gap, where you’ll get stunning views of the Knuckles mountain range. A vehicle with excellent ground clearance is required to reach the hamlet of Meemure from Corbett’s Gap.

Both Matale and Wattegama may be reached through other entrance roads: Rattota and Riverstone in Matale and Panwila in Wattegama.

Knuckle Hills were given their name by the British because they resembled a clenched fist. The main Knuckles peak (Sri Lanka’s sixth tallest) is located at an elevation of 1863 meters, and it has a unique stand of the dwarf cloud forest.

Hiking & Trekking in the Knuckles Mountain Range

The Dumbara, or ‘Knuckles’ mountains, have it all: cloud-covered mountain summits, flowing waterfalls, symphonies of forest noises, hundreds of rare species of flora and animals, and beautiful vistas.

The magnificent landscape of this conservation area, which reaches heights of almost 1,800 meters, is perfect for walking and trekking thanks to the region’s vast network of forest paths, rivers, and waterfalls. The 155-square-kilometer area is home to five distinct forest types, as well as many rare and unique animals and plants, as well as stunning mountain vistas.

There are about 255 tree species and at least 1,033 different kinds of flowers and plants. Samburs, barking deer, mouse deer, wild boars, giant squirrels, and slender loris inhabit the Knuckles area. Toque and purple-faced leaf monkeys are the only endemic primates found here, with many unique fish, amphibians, and reptiles. There are also 17 of the country’s 23 indigenous bird species flying in the region.

Mini World’s End at Knuckles Range

The Knuckles range’s southernmost cliff, Mini World’s End (1192m), makes for an excellent vantage point for exploring the range. In the distance, you can see the knuckles mountain range and some of the towns nestled in the range’s foothills. Starting at the Knuckles Conservation Centre (KCC) – Deanston, the 1.1km hike takes around an hour to complete at your own pace.

Seasons and Climate

The weather in the Knuckles Mountains can change in an instant. The mountains might be completely obscured by dense fog in a couple of minutes. Any day now, rain may fall.

Based in the southern part of the Negombo lagoon, there is a jewel of wetlands called Muthurajawela, which translates into “Supreme Field of Pearls,” and “Swamp of Royal Treasure.” It’s a perfect place in Sri Lanka for memorable birdwatching holidays. 

Muthurajawela is the greatest saline peat wetlands on the coast of Sri Lanka. The Negombo Lagoon and the marsh form an interconnected marine wetland ecosystem with a swamp lagoon complex believed to have developed around 5000 BC. The northern part of the wetlands covering an area of 1,777 hectares was proclaimed a sanctuary under the Wildlife and Flora Conservation Order in July 1996. Today, this spot is one of the best bird-watching places in Sri Lanka, and visiting it is one of the best things to do in Negombo. 

Birds in Muthurajawela Wetland Sanctuary:

Birds are the main vertebrate species in Muthurajawela. It consists of 102 species, including one endemic bird species. The combination of plant forms and marine ecosystems in Muthurajawela has rendered it a suitable eco-zone for a large range of bird species, making it one of the best places in Sri Lanka for bird watching in Sri Lanka. Here, the wetland ecosystem is the home for a variety of birds, including, Herons, Egrets, Cormorants, Teal, Waders, and Kingfishers, etc.  

It is a quite major breeding habitat for many aquatic birds. Many wetland birds include Small and Indian Cormorant, Cattle, Medium, Moderate & Large Egrets, etc live over the Muthurajawela wetland region.

Muthurajawela Boat Rides & Bird Watching:

Muthurajawela really is worth visiting, especially for all those who spend their vacations in Negombo or have to remain in the Colombo region for several days. It’s a perfect spot to continue discovering nature in Sri Lanka after landing at the nation’s most popular airport. 

The paradise of Muthurajawela is reachable through boat trips. The boat ride begins at the visitor center slightly farther south, at the side path of the coastal route B596 in Walikatiya. The safari boat will carry you up the famous Dutch Canal to the Negombo Lagoon and the surrounding mangroves and traverse the Attanagalla Oya delta, which is the largest portion of the Muthurajawela marsh on the way back. Muthurajawela wetland boat rides take you closer to birds, mangrove forests, and other wildlife species.    

Typical Muthurajawela Wetland Bird Watching Tours Explained:

The tour itinerary would be a standard excursion. However, you can customize it according to all your inner holiday desires; we can help you with it. We will pick up from your hotel in Negombo for a tour to Muthurajawela Wetland and a Muthuthurajawela bird watching tour by boat. 

You will arrive shortly at the Muthurajawela wetland sanctuary, which is a paradise renowned for its natural features. You’re going to have a cruise trip across the huge Negombo lagoon. Spanning over 6,000 acres and over 29,000 acres, more than 40 migratory birds and 85 local bird species live in the region in perfect natural settings. 

Mangrove woods on the footpath are perfect places to watch wildlife, as well as small crocodiles and many more.

Muthurajawela Wetlands in Sri Lanka: The Flora:

Muthurajawela has over 194 species of plants distributed across seven major forms of habitat, including wetlands, lactic flora, swamp, shrubland, reed, grassland, riverbank, and mangrove land. 

A record number of 194 plant life species belonging to 66 families including one species only found in Sri Lanka (Phoenix Melania) are in place in the wetland region. Among the different species of plants, the shrubland comprises 115 species with a mangrove ecosystem and a riverbank consisting of 23 species each. 

Contact us for more information; we can craft a customized Muthurajawela wetland sanctuary bird watching tour for you. 

Kumana National Park – Yala-East for World-Class Wildlife Experiences

Situated in the south-east corner of Sri Lanka, the 18,149-hectare Kumana Yala-East National Park is also a well-known eco-tourism destination and bird park where a plethora of birds breed and build nests. One of the most prominent aspects of the park is the “Kumana Villu,” which is a 200-hectare natural marsh lake, flourished by the Kumbukkan Oya by a half-mile long narrow canal. It is in this mangrove marsh where several aquatic birds breed in May and June. Daily sightings involve bird populations such as pelicans, white ibis, painted storks, spoonbills, herons, egrets, and small cormorants.

A really rare black-necked stork has indeed been spotted in the marsh. Other than the abundant birdlife, Kumana national park is also host to some of the species present in the broader Yala National Park (west), such as elephants and leopards. The flora in Kumana mainly consists of mangrove trees, kumbuk and Karan ferns, and also the open marsh forest. For bird watching lovers, the park is an “utter must.”

Why visit Kumana National Park?

Encircled by 20 lagoons and tanks that lead to a spectacular bird community, you are likely to be struck by the majesty of the park and its variety, like the mysterious leopard, the sloth bear, and the elephants that walkabout. The mystical atmosphere in the quiet forest where the typical flame torches light up and rage to the music of the wind, as the campfire dances beneath the clear night sky, is the spot to settle down and relax while you have the best time of your life.  

The Kumana Bird Sanctuary, within the boundaries of Kumana National Park, was designated a nature preserve in 1938 and is considered to be among the most significant breeding grounds for birds in Sri Lanka. A total of 255 bird species have been recorded in Kumana, making it a top-rated bird-watching site in Sri Lanka. 

Kumana is also host to some of the species contained in the nearby Yala National Park like elephants and leopards that can also be seen on safari. Other species that live within Kumana National Park provide the Golden Jackal, the European Otter. Up to 30-40 Sri Lankan elephants are also confirmed to live in the park, but they move over to Yala National Park. 

The grassland areas of the park are covered by dry tropical thorn woodland. The vegetation of the inland forest consists mostly of Manilkara hexandra, classified as Palu in Sinhalese. There are also a variety of water species, trees, and ferns. 

Ancient cave markings dating all the way back to the 1st and 2nd Centuries BC have been found here. Every year, Buddhist and Hindu followers cross the Kumana region on their foot trek to the neighboring Temple of Kataragama. 

All in all, Kumana National Park in Sri Lanka is a must-visit destination by all nature lovers.

What is the best time to visit Kumana?

Kumana National Park can possibly be accessed at any time of year, but you must be mindful of the monsoons during those months, as torrential downpours can have a huge effect on your travel experience. 

The dry season typically lasts from February to July, and this is the perfect time to visit Kumana since the species are far easier to find in less dense foliage. 

The rest of each year, the park sees flooding and monsoons, and the paths can become damp in the already muddy climate so that transport can become more challenging, but far from unlikely. 

The dry season is usually the peak season, but relative to the park in the west, Kumana sees just a fraction of the number of tourists and you can always appreciate a quiet trip even in the peak of months.

Bird Watching in Kumana National Park

One of the most extensive bird sanctuaries in Sri Lanka is in place within the Kumana National Park. This is the best place to visit in the country if you’re interested in discovering the oddest bird species found around the world. 

As already mentioned, the great season to visit is between February-April and July, as birds practically migrate to Kumana National Park. The sanctuary maintains a breeding ground that is an important part of the protection of all of these rare species of birds, and it is reported that over 200 unique species can be found in the park. During the breeding season, you can notice thousands and thousands of birds moving to Kumana to notice a secure place for breeding. 

Swamps and reservoirs are an ideal refuge for many uncommon and threatened species, and at the right time of year, you are sure to find almost everything within the nature reserve. Some of the most common species present here are waterfowl and wading birds that love wet weather, while birds as varied as storks, moorlands, ducks, and ibis can be present here. 

Some species, such as pintails, often migrate more than 5000 miles from Russia to the warmer climates of Sri Lanka to nest here, an incredible feat of stamina and coordination that is hard to understand.

Wildlife Safaris in Kumana National Park

Kumana National Park is a habitat with several of Sri Lanka’s most endangered wildlife species. There are several various wildlife other than hundreds of bird species in the forest. 

The swampy environment and the prolific amount of water tanks and reservoirs render this a relatively excellently-conditioned place for reptiles and water-based animals. There are several other creatures in the waterlogged environment, including several various types of tortoises, otters, and, of course, crocodiles. 

The western part of Yala National Park appears to be home to many of the country’s larger wildlife, although, in smaller numbers, there are also endangered populations of elephants, wild boars, and sometimes uncommon Sri Lankan leopards and sloths. 

Wildlife safaris in Kumana is a great choice when you visit Sri Lanka for an authentic wildlife experience. Anyway, it’s best if you plan to visit other national parks in the country for a complete wildlife expedition. 

Kumana National Park Camping

Camping and luxurious tent safari camping in Kumana National Park offers an incredible privilege of dealing with untamed wildlife in Sri Lanka. You can live in interaction with a varied population of mammals, snakes, and aquatic animals. Many camping service providers deliver stunning luxury camping safari, professionally trained naturalists/guides along with exotic Sri Lankan cuisine. 

Be with nature, you’re going to get a wake-up call from the wilderness!!! Enjoy new, nutritious meals cooked in the wild kitchen by trained chefs. Experience a true wildlife safari guided by a famed naturalist where you can have a fun, informative, and pleasant wildlife trip. Head to the cool dip of the local river with a cold bottle under the stars. 

Lie beneath the wild untouched stars!!! An amazing life story. Safari camping in Kumana National Park is among the most favored tent safari camps in Sri Lanka. Kumana National Park spans a region of 18,200 hectares and contains wildlife comprising leopards, tigers, bears, and birds among the thousands of fauna and flora organisms that render this park a complex ecosystem. 

What are the best hotels near Kumana?

• Stay Golden

• The Bavarian Resort

• The Spice Trail

• Royal Point Arugambay

• East Surf Cabanas

• Lucky Bay

• Jetwing Yala

• Upali Beach Surf Resort

• The Danish Villa Hotel

How to travel from the Airport to Kumana?

Alright, you have many options to consider. However, the distance from the airport to the Kumana National Park is one prime concern here. It’s about 400 kilometers from the airport to the park, as the road to take is not a straight one. 

You can pick a bus, rail, and private vehicle or taxi for this long journey. It’s best you plan the trip with a reputable local travel agency like us. We can provide you with a driver and luxury car to make it smooth and comfortable. 

Kumana National Park in Sri Lanka is one of the best choices for bird watching and wildlife safaris, camping. Contact us today and book your Kumana holiday package!