Southern Province · Sri Lanka
Bundala National Park
WildlifeNatureScenic
A Ramsar-listed coastal wetland in Hambantota District with 200+ bird species, flocks of greater flamingos from October to March, and resident elephants, crocodiles, and nesting sea turtles.
Duration
Half day (3-4 hours)
Difficulty
easy
Budget
free
About Bundala National Park
Bundala National Park is a 6,216-hectare chain of coastal lagoons and dry zone scrub along the southern coast, designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The park is Sri Lanka's premier shorebird and waterbird site, with over 200 recorded species including the greater flamingo, which arrives in flocks of several hundred from November to March. Black-tailed godwits, Eurasian curlew, painted stork, spot-billed pelican, and lesser adjutant are regularly recorded. Elephants move through the park between Yala and Udawalawe, and estuarine crocodiles inhabit the deeper lagoons. Five species of sea turtle nest on the Bundala beach. Bundala receives far fewer jeep safaris than Yala, providing a calmer experience particularly suited to birdwatchers.
Highlights
- Ramsar Wetland and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Flocks of greater flamingos October to March
- 200+ bird species including rare shorebirds
- Five sea turtle species nesting on the coastal beach
- Quieter than Yala — recommended for birdwatchers
Practical Tips
Visit between November and March for flamingo flocks and the widest variety of migratory shorebirds.
Bring binoculars — the lagoon birds are often 100-200m from the jeep track.
Early morning entry at 6am gives 2-3 hours of peak bird activity before the heat reduces sightings.
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months Shoulder Avoid
Location
Planning Info
- Crowd level
- Usually quiet
- Physical difficulty
- easy
- Setting
- outdoor
- Child friendly
- Yes
- Senior friendly
- Yes
- Guide required
- Yes
- Budget level
- free
- Photography
- ★★★★☆
Plan Your Visit
Want to include Bundala National Park in your Sri Lanka itinerary? Our team in Kandy builds personalised plans — no booking fees, no online payment.
ALSO IN THE AREA
Nearby Destinations
Yala National Park
Sri Lanka's most famous wildlife park in Hambantota District, with the highest recorded leopard density per unit area of any protected area in the world, plus elephants, sloth bears, and crocodiles.
Explore →Sithulpawwa Rock Temple
A monastic rock temple over 2,100 years old inside the Yala buffer zone, with painted cave shrines and a 3m seated Buddha on a granite boulder 300m above the surrounding plains.
Explore →PLAN YOUR VISIT
Ready to explore Bundala National Park?
Tell us your travel dates, group size, and preferences. Our team in Kandy will build a personalised itinerary with accommodation, transport, and entry tickets — no booking fees, no online payment required.