Eastern Province · Sri Lanka
Kumana National Park
Wildlife & SafariBirdwatching
Remote 35,664-hectare park on the Ampara coast, protecting the largest waterbird nesting colony in Sri Lanka, with leopards and elephants.
Duration
Half-day jeep safari
Entry Fee
$25 USD
Difficulty
easy
Budget
moderate
About Kumana National Park
Kumana National Park, formerly Yala East, protects 35,664 hectares of dry-zone forest, mangrove lagoon, and coastal scrub at the southeastern tip of Sri Lanka. The park's Kumana Villu, a 200-hectare lagoon, hosts the country's largest concentration of nesting waterbirds: painted storks, night herons, open-billed storks, and spoonbills breed here in large numbers from April to July. Leopards are present but sightings are less frequent than at Yala West; spotted deer and wild buffalo are common. Crocodiles are regularly seen along the lagoon edges. The park is accessed via a rough track from Arugam Bay, about 35 km south. Self-drive is not permitted; hire a jeep with a licensed tracker from Pottuvil or Arugam Bay.
Highlights
- Largest waterbird nesting colony in Sri Lanka at Kumana Villu lagoon
- Painted storks, spoonbills, and night herons nesting April to July
- Leopard and elephant sightings in dry-zone forest
- Resident saltwater crocodiles along lagoon edges
- 35,664 hectares of undisturbed coastal habitat
Practical Tips
April to July is the peak bird-nesting season; plan your visit in this window for maximum species count.
Book a jeep and tracker from Pottuvil or Arugam Bay the day before; there are no facilities inside the park.
Morning safaris (6:00-10:00 AM) have the best light and animal activity.
Carry enough water and food; the nearest town is over an hour away.
Explore by Interest
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months Shoulder Avoid
Best time of day: April to July (peak bird-nesting season)
Location
Planning Info
- Crowd level
- Usually quiet
- Physical difficulty
- easy
- Setting
- outdoor
- Child friendly
- Yes
- Senior friendly
- Yes
- Guide required
- Yes
- Budget level
- moderate
- Photography
- ★★★★☆
Plan Your Visit
Want to include Kumana 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
Arugam Bay Beach
Sri Lanka's premier surf break, ranked among the world's top 10 point breaks, with a right-hander that works best May to October.
Explore →Arugam Bay Pottuvil Lagoon
Mangrove-lined tidal lagoon 2 km from Arugam Bay with resident mugger crocodiles, painted storks, and canoe tours through narrow channels.
Explore →Kudumbigala Forest Hermitage
Active forest monastery of cave-dwelling monks near Panama, Ampara, with ancient rock inscriptions, a 2nd-century BCE origin, and dramatic boulder landscape.
Explore →PLAN YOUR VISIT
Ready to explore Kumana 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.