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Sri Lanka's leading bird sanctuary
Kumana National Park is best known among birdwatchers for its extensive wetlands, mangroves and lagoons, which attract large numbers of resident and migratory birds, including herons, pelicans, storks and a wide range of waders.
Beyond the birds
Kumana also supports elephants, leopards and crocodiles, making it a worthwhile stop for general wildlife enthusiasts, not only dedicated birders.
Best time to visit for birdlife
The breeding season, roughly May to July, brings the highest concentrations of nesting water birds, making these months especially rewarding for birdwatchers, while migratory species add further variety from around October through to March.
Getting to Kumana
Kumana sits adjacent to Yala National Park on the southeast coast, and many itineraries combine a Kumana bird-focused drive with a Yala leopard-focused drive on the same trip.
Planning your Kumana visit
Bring binoculars and, if you have one, a telephoto lens, since many of the best sightings involve birds at a distance across open water. A guide experienced in bird identification adds significant value here compared with a general wildlife-focused driver.
