Kumana National Park Sri Lanka

The Kumana National Park is renowned for its birdlife, particularly waterfowl and wading birds. It is adjacent to the Yala National Park and many of the mammals from Yala such as the Sri Lankan Leopard and the Sri Lankan Elephant also can be observed at this reserve.
Amazing birdlife in the Kumana National Park
The Kumana National Park is located in the southeast corner of Sri Lanka. This 18,150 hectare Park is a well-known birding location, where a multitude of birds come to breed and feed. One of the most significant features of the Park is the 'Kumana Villu' - a 200 hectare natural swamp lake, fed by the Kumbukkan Oya through a long narrow channel. It is in this mangrove swamp that many water birds nest in May and June.

Wildlife in the Kumana National Park - Read More..
Birdlife in the Kumana National Park - Read More..
Reptiles and amphibians in the Kumana National Park - Read More..
Flora in the Kumana National Park - Read More..
The Kumana National Park - History and Geography - Read More..
Finding the right kind of accommodation for your Kumana National Park wildlife safari

Getting the most out of your Kumana National Park wildlife safari - Read More..
Climate in the Kumana National Park - Read More..
The best time to visit the Kumana National Park - Read More..
How to get to the Kumana National Park - Read More..
Wildlife in the Kumana National Park
A total of 255 species of birds have been recorded in Kumana. Regular sightings include species such as Pelicans, Painted Storks, Spoonbills, White Ibis and Cormorants. The very rare Black-necked Stork has also been spotted in the swamp.

Besides the prolific birdlife, Kumana is also home to some of the mammals found in the neighbouring Yala National Park such as elephants and leopards which can also be seen on safari. Other animals which reside inside the Kumana National Park include the Golden Jackal and the European Otter.  It is also reported that approximately 30 to 40 Sri Lankan Elephants reside in the Park, although they do crossover to neighbouring Yala.

Birdlife in the Kumana National Park
Kumana is a very important national park for birdlife. An incredible 255 species of birds have been recorded here and from April to July tens of thousands of birds migrate to the Kumana swamp area. Rare species such as Black-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Eurasian Spoonbill and the Great Thick-knee are breeding inhabitants while the waders and waterfowl visit too.

The Asian Openbill, Glossy Ibis, Purple Heron, Great Egret, Indian Pond Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Spot-billed Pelican, Indian Cormorant, Little Cormorant, Common Moorhen, Watercock, Purple Swamphen, White-breasted Waterhen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Black-winged Stilt, Lesser Whistling Duck and Little Grebe migrate here in large flocks while the Pintails fly 9,000 kilometres from far away Siberia. Rare migrant birds include the Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Red-faced Malkoha and Sirkeer Malkoha.

Most commonly seen are the Pacific Golden Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Grey Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Little Ringed Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Common Snipe and Pintail Snipe.

Reptiles and amphibians in the Kumana National Park
Fish species to be found in the lakes and tanks include the Tilapia and common Mullet. Due to its coastal location, turtles are sometimes spotted coming ashore to lay their eggs. These turtles include the Indian Black turtle and the Indian Flap-shelled turtle. Mugger crocodiles can also been seen here.

Flora in the Kumana National Park
The Park's wetland areas are surrounded by dry zone tropical thorn forest. The inland forest's flora is dominated by Manilkara hexandra which is known as Palu in Sinhala.  There is also a range of aquatic plants, trees and reeds.

The Kumana National Park - History and Geography
Originally known as the Yala East National Park, it was renamed Kumana National Park in 2006.  Its elevation ranges from sea-level to the low height of 90 metres, has an average annual temperature of 27°C and an annual rainfall of 1,300 mm.

Birders who visit the Park are usually amazed at the sheer diversity of species that call Kumana home, a fact which can be attested to by the presence of 20 lagoons and tanks. These tanks are generally less than 2 metres deep and are often flooded by seawater and frequently dot the landscape of the Park. The Kumana Bird Sanctuary, within the boundaries of the Kumana National Park, was declared a protected area in 1938, and is rated as one of the most important breeding grounds in Sri Lanka.

Ancient cave inscriptions have been discovered here dating back to the 1st and 2nd Centuries BC. Buddhist and Hindu devotees annually cross the Kumana area on their foot pilgrimage to the nearby Temple in Kataragama.

Finding the right kind of accommodation for your Kumana National Park wildlife safari
When considering accommodation options for any Sri Lankan wildlife safari, you need to find a solution that allows you the freedom of seeing everything that nature has to offer, in the shortest possible time. That’s why a Mahoora luxury tented safari camp is ideal. Mahoora luxury tented safari camps are set up within the confines of the Park itself, allowing for minimal travel time and maximum time inside. For more information on Mahoora luxury tented safari camping options, please visit our accommodation page. However, if you would like to stay in a hotel close by, just let us know and we can make the necessary arrangements.


Getting the most out of your Kumana National Park wildlife safari
When it comes to identifying birds and tracking animals, an expert naturalist guide is a must.  And with Mahoora, this will be provided so that visitors can really have an optimal Kumana National Park wildlife safari experience in Sri Lanka. When navigating off the beaten track on the varied terrain, make sure you have the right kind of safari jeep as well.

Climate in the Kumana National Park
 Around 20 lagoons and tanks support the extensive birdlife of the national park. The Kumana Villu is subject to occasional inundation with seawater. The elevation of the area ranges from sea level to 90 metres, the mean annual temperature is 27°C and the area receives 1,300 mm of annual rainfall.


The best time to visit the Kumana National Park
Birdlife can be observed in the Kumana National Park throughout the year but the best time to visit is during the first half of the year when the waterholes are full.


How to get to the Kumana National Park
There are two routes from Colombo; they fork off at Pelmadulla and meet again at Wellawaya; one going via Beragala and Koslanda and the other via Thimbolketiya, Udawalawe and Thanamalwila. From Wellawaya the road goes through Moneragala, Pottuvil and Panama. There is only one entrance to the Park from Panama, through the Kudumbigala Sanctuary. The distance from Colombo is approximately 391 km. You can also take an air taxi from Colombo (Peliyagoda) and land in Arugam Bay. From there reach the Kumana National Park by road. By helicopter: take off either from the Bandaranaike Airport or Ratmalana and land in Kumana and then reach the Park by road.