Bundala National Park

We chose Bundala National Park instead of the more popular Yala, mainly because we wanted something quieter—and it was absolutely rewarding. It felt peaceful and unhurried, with plenty of wildlife and beautiful landscapes to enjoy without the crowds. A wonderful alternative for anyone looking for a calmer, more intimate experience with nature.

Bundala National Park truly surprised me - it’s so underrated and, in my opinion, even more beautiful than Yala. The nature here is greener, wilder, and more diverse. Even without leopards, there are so many amazing animals and birds to see - elephants, monkeys, crocodiles, buffaloes, and countless colorful species. You can get closer to the wildlife and feel completely surrounded by nature. Our guide and driver were wonderful - very kind, professional, and passionate about what they do. If you want a calmer, more authentic safari experience, Bundala is the perfect choice.

Bundala National Park is a very underrated place compared to Yala National Park, but it’s absolutely breathtaking. The park is full of greenery, dry-zone trees, and unique plants that make it a beautiful and peaceful spot to explore. You won’t find too many big animals here, but you can still see elephants, foxes, rabbits, and a wide variety of birds. One of the most interesting things to see are the crocodiles resting near the water. It’s a good idea to arrange a jeep before you come, because it can be a bit hard to find one once you arrive. Other than that, it’s a must-visit place for any nature lover. Bundala is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, known for its lagoons and wetlands that attract hundreds of migratory birds especially flamingos during the season. Peaceful, wild, and full of natural beauty, Bundala National Park is truly a hidden gem in Sri Lanka.

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 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 900mm to 1300mm. Dry season’ falls between May and September.Best time to visit is September to March: during this period migratory birds arrive at the park. Bundala National Park spread an area of 6216 that consists of mainly of dry thorny scrublands, marshes, and four brackish lagoons. The terrain is generally flat with sand dunes bordering the coastline.

We had a truly remarkable wildlife experience at Bundala National Park. It is a fantastic alternative to Yala, offering a much quieter and less crowded atmosphere while remaining very accessible. We were fortunate enough to see a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, crocodiles, monitor lizards, monkeys, and an incredible variety of birdlife. However, it is worth noting that the park’s infrastructure requires some attention. The tracks are poorly maintained in places, and overhanging branches frequently obstruct the path. This can be quite hazardous for passengers in open safari jeeps, so a bit of 'TLC' regarding trail maintenance would go a long way in ensuring visitor safety.

Average national park. You get the safari feeling but you don't see as much as in other parks. Most of the locals didn't even know it existed. It was not on Sri Lanka maps we saw across the country. There are NO FLAMINGOS! They left years ago and never returned so I don't understand why they still advertise this. Take some good binoculars with you if you want to see the birds and crocodiles. And it is crowded unlike some of the reviews state. We saw countless jeeps and sometimes we had stop times because of traffic.

A very good park for bird lovers

It is a very good park. It could be improved especially off season (November). We had hard time to find a jeep and get the tickets to the park. We were lucky to spot almost all the animals except elephants. Birds watching is just WOW.