Kumana National Park

One of the great wildlife park in Srilanka. There are two bungalows inside the park which you need to book in advance. Not much crowded like Yala and Wilpaththu national parks. Excellent place to visit for tourists who are on to Arugambay. Road network inside the park need to be re constructed as they have badly damaged due to the rains and flood situation. There are great variety of animals to watch including migrated birds. Safari jeep can be taken from the Kumana town. Using the normal vehicle is not advisable and you need a 4 wheel jeep to travel inside the park. There's about 16 km from Kumana town to the park entrance.

Kumana National Park, situated in southeastern Sri Lanka, is renowned for its rich biodiversity, boasting diverse ecosystems such as mangroves, wetlands, and forests. It serves as a haven for birds and various other wildlife species. Visitors have the opportunity to explore Kumana National Park through guided safari tours, typically conducted via jeep rides along the park's trails.

Kumana national park is less crowded than yala. But has many kinds of birds, reptiles, elephants, leopards etc.. this is a gem for a bird lover..

As with many of the other national parks in Sri Lanka, definitely would recommend Kumana as a great alternative to Yala. Much less crowded, but with same high odds of spotting wildlife, including leopards.

Great place to bird watching. I went there during my weekend with my family members. We spent amazing few hours in this national park. You can see some endemic aquatic birds as well. There is a large hearth rocks also there. You can go to kuda kabiliththa also.

Kumana National Park is spread over an area of 18,149 hectares.
Many birds breed here.
Among the most important features of Kumana National Park
Like birds, elephants and leopards
'Kumana Villu' - 200 hectare natural swamp lake

Located in the southeast corner of Sri Lanka, the 18,149 hectares Kumana National Park is a well-known eco-tourism attraction and bird sanctuary where a multitude of birds breed and roost. Kumana National Park is the eastern sector of Yala National Park. One of the most significant features of the Kumana National Park is the 'Kumana Villu' - a 200 hectare natural swamp lake, fed by the 'Kumbukkan Oya' through a half mile long narrow channel. It is at this mangrove swamp that many water birds’ nest in May and June. Regular sightings include such species of bird as pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills, white ibis, herons, egrets and little cormorants.

The very rare black-necked stork has also been spotted at the swamp in Kumana National Park. Besides the prolific birdlife, Kumana National Park is also home to some of the mammals found in the larger Yala National Park, such as Elephants and Leopards. The vegetation in Kumana National Park consists mainly of mangrove trees, kumbuk trees and the karan fern, as well as the open marsh area. If you are on a bird watching tour in Sri Lanka, Kumana National Park is an 'absolute must'.

Kumana National Park in Sri Lanka is renowned for its avifauna, particularly its large flocks of migratory waterfowl and wading birds. The park is 391 kilometres (243 mi) southeast of Colombo on Sri Lanka's southeastern coast.Kumana is contiguous with Yala National Park.Kumana was formerly known as Yala East National Park, but changed to its present name on 5 September 2006.

Kumbukkan Oya forms the southern boundary of the national park.Some 20 lagoons and tanks support the extensive birdlife of the national park.The lagoons are shallow with depths less than 2 metres (6.6 ft). Kumana villu is subject to occasional inundation with seawater. The elevation of the area ranges from sea level to 90 metres (300 ft). The mean annual temperature is 27.30 °C (81.14 °F) and the area receives 1,300 millimetres (51.18 in) of annual rainfall.

This is a good park to visit
There is not many people through September to May so it is not bombarded with tourists like the other parks
I have been here a few times and have been lucky enough to see leopards in the wild as well as all the other animals and bird live

Kumana National park is a very famous park in Easter province in Sri Lanka. This park is contiguous with the Yala National park. Actually this park also a part of the Yala National park and it’s called as The Sector-3 of Yala Park. Former it was known as Yala Eastern National park and name was changed as present name in 2006. If you have 4WD Jeep with FWD winch facility, then only you can drive through the park with assistance of a Local Guide. Otherwise you have to hire a Safari jeep and a local Guide. Better to visit this park in Summer/Dry season. In rainy season there will be less animals come out from the jungle as there will be enough water inside the jungle. In dry season you could see lot of animals such as Leopard, Elephant, Deer, Peacock, Fox, Crocodile, Wild Pig, Buffalo, etc... and not only lot of inherent Birds but also migrant birds as well. Kumana Is the Largest Bird Sanctuary in Sri Lanka. It’s worth to visit.

Expected more but we were just unlucky. Obviously can't be guaranteed to see any animals, we saw some elephants and crocodiles from far away and the journey was a long one but our driver was helpful and always pointed out any animal he saw.

Kumana National Park, also known as Yala East National Park, is a pristine wildlife sanctuary situated in the southeastern part of Sri Lanka. Covering an expansive area of approximately 35,664 hectares, it stretches along the coast from the Kumana Villu lagoon to the Kudumbigala Sanctuary. Established in 1970 as a protected area, it was designated as a national park in 2006.

One of the most remarkable features of Kumana National Park is its rich biodiversity, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and nature lovers. The park encompasses a diverse range of habitats, including lagoons, scrublands, mangrove swamps, and sandy beaches. These varied ecosystems create an ideal environment for a wide array of flora and fauna to flourish.

Kumana National Park is renowned for its avian population, attracting avid birdwatchers from around the world. With over 255 bird species recorded within its boundaries, including a plethora of migratory birds, it is a significant bird sanctuary in Sri Lanka. The iconic highlight of the park is the nesting grounds of the rare and globally threatened bird, the Black-necked Stork. Other notable bird species include the Indian darter, painted stork, and Asian openbill.

In addition to its avifauna, Kumana National Park is home to an impressive range of wildlife species. The park is renowned for its elephant population, which often gather around the water bodies during the dry season. Other common sightings include spotted deer, sambar deer, wild boar, water buffalo, and mugger crocodiles. Elusive leopards, sloth bears, and Indian pangolins can also occasionally be spotted here.

Exploring Kumana National Park offers visitors a chance to embark on thrilling wildlife safaris and immerse themselves in the raw beauty of nature. Adventurous jeep safaris are a popular way to navigate through the park and witness its stunning wildlife up close. The experienced park guides provide valuable insights about the flora, fauna, and conservation efforts, enhancing the overall safari experience.

The best time to visit Kumana National Park is during the dry season, which typically spans from May to September. During this period, water levels in the lagoons and watering holes decrease, attracting a diverse array of wildlife to congregate around these sources, thereby increasing the chances of sightings.

Beyond its natural wonders, Kumana National Park also holds cultural significance. The Kudumbigala Monastery, located within the park, is a historic Buddhist site dating back to the 2nd century BC. It comprises ancient caves, rock inscriptions, and intricately carved statues, providing a glimpse into Sri Lanka's rich historical and cultural heritage.

Kumana National Park offers a unique and awe-inspiring experience for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path wildlife adventure in Sri Lanka. Its untouched landscapes, abundant wildlife, and cultural treasures make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and conservationists alike.

Dry zone national park in sri lanka, famous for bird watching, you can have a awesome safari experience and can see many wild animals. recommended to enter in early morning to see more wild animals.

Hi i need to share the honest review on this kumana national park ,
there is so many rare birds and animals , but its depend on our time we entering into this part, otherwise we can see all the animals and birds .
when i was visited i saw ,rare birds,roosters , cows ,deer , elephants. unfortunate i couldn't see leopard . but you can feel that environment, they have a facilitate to night camps with safe guards. better you can go with 4 weel vehicles. i love kumana
pc . irfan banna

We visited the park one week ago, and I can tell you that it was great. We are luckly enough to take our road, and we travel through the park along with our friendly ranger. The animals were so cute and amazing.

Kumana, is trule a gem for wildlife enthusiasts. One of the best Sri Lankan National Parks to spot Sri Lankan Leopards (Panthera Pardus Kotiya). Park is also not as crowded as other nearby national parks such as Yala.

One of the best safari trip i had. It wasn't busy as yala. Experience might affected by season, weather conditions etc. Overall experience was amazing for 2 days

Such a beautiful place. Everyone must see this park and wild animals here.

About prices: entrance 10$ per person + 250/350 RS for jeep entrance + 8% vat

Dry zone national park in Sri Lanka. You can observe hundreds species of birds, leopard, bear, wild buffalo and elephants.

Had a awesome safari experience and could easily see much animals(wild pigs, dears, elephants, rabbits, foxs, crocodiles, monkeys, buffalos) including hundreds of birds.