Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park is located in the south-eastern part of Sri Lanka. It is well-known for its variety and abundance of aquatic bird life which feed on the rich harvest provided by the plentiful lagoons throughout the length and breath of the park. Bundala National Park is a very important wildlife and wetland for migratory shore-birds including the Greater Flamingo. The park area has roughly six thousand hectares of brackish lagoons, thorny scrub jungle, salt pans and inter-tidal mudflats. This park is the home of some elephants who can be seen easily. But you can have a stroll on the beach without meeting any living creature at all. The other common animals of the park are leopards, spotted deer, sambar and barking deer. Sightings are very rare. There are also sloth bears, jackals, giant squirrels, Indian pangolin and civet cats. You will find marsh and estuarine crocodiles in addition to monitor lizards and other reptiles.
Since Bundala National Park falls within the southeastern arid zone, its climate is hot and dry. Mainly you should visit this national park for the exotic birds that have made it their home. You will particularly enjoy seeing the rare Black-necked stork, Great Thick-knee, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Spoonbill, Red Shank, Green Shank, Spot-billed Pelican, Blue-faced Malkoha, Brahminy Kite, Crested Hawk eagle and Brown Shrike. Some come as far as Siberia. The coasts of this park are also interesting with sea turtle species (at least five species) which come ashore to lay their eggs.

It is indeed hard to imagine the mind boggling bio diversity of Bundala National Park. Though there are a number of plant species here, some are considered to be on the engendered list. Amongst the thirty two different species of mammal, five species are on the engendered list. For die hard bird lovers, a trip to Sri Lanka can be made only for visiting this national park.