FAQ about Bundala National Park by best of ceylon - Bundala National Park Visitor Information - Bundala National Park - Jeep Safari in Bundala National Park

You can reach the Bundala National Park from Colombo by three different routes – along the coast via Galle, Matara, Tangalle, Hambantota (160miles) and also passing through Ratnapura, Pelmadulla, Embilipitiya, and Hambantota (152miles). Furthermore, you can also reach this national park by catching the Southern Expressway. First, depart the expressway in Galle and go carry on onwards passed Matara and Tangalle. It will take three or four hours to reach the park from Colombo. Additionally, you can also journey by taxi and you have to take a taxi from the Colombo (Peliyagoda) and reach Hambantota first. From Hambantota, you can easily reach the park by road.

Bundala National Park is open daily from 6:00 am in the morning to 6:00 pm in the evening. The last entry time is 4:30 pm in the evening.

The nearest town to Bundala National Park is Tissamaharama or simply known as Tissa. Bundala national park is merely 30 minutes away from Tissamaharama. Bundala National Park is located in Sri Lanka’s southern province and it is around 270 km away from the Colombo.

You cannot visit Bundala National park from train because there is no railways near Bundala National Park. The best way to get to Bundala is by using public transport as bus or hire a chauffeur driven vehicle or rent a self-drive vehicle. Once you reached Tissamaharama it is easy to visit Bundala National park you can arrange a Safari ride with us. We can pick you from your accommodation in Tissamaharama, Kataragama or Situlpawwa area.

The best time to visit Bundala national park will be in between from September to March where you can witness lots of migratory birds. If you choose to visit the Bundala national park between these months you are so lucky because you can witness great verities of birds in a single place.

There are two main safari slots when it comes to bird watching in Bundala national park.
Morning Bird watching Safari in Bundala national park – starts from 6:00 am to 10:00 am, if you are an avid birdwatcher it’s good to choose morning safari slot because birds are more active in this time in the day.
Afternoon Bird watching safari in Bundala national park – starts from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm You can witness most of the birds in this time frame also. In the evening birds gather around waterholes before going to their nests. In afternoon you will be able to see few elephants also.

The weather of the Bundala National Park is classified as hot and dry weather with an average temperature of 28 °C. Also, the yearly average rainfall in the national park is 1075 mm.

Bundala national park is home for around 200 species of migratory birds which gather in Bundala from all around the world. The most highlighted bird among these migratory birds is the Great Flamingo. There are other endemic birds such as Jungle fowl, Sri Lanka wood shrike and brown capped babbler. There are migratory birds such as Marsh and Curlew Sandpipers, Common Redshank, Kentish Plovers, Lesser and Large Sand Plovers, Red necked Phalarope, Little stints and the Broad billed Sandpiper. There are bee-eaters, strokes, ibis, hornbills, spoonbills, kingfishers, white bellied sea eagle and crested serpent eagle.

Apart from birdlife there are few notable species found within Bundala national park including Elephants, Toque macaques and Purple face Langurs (monkeys), Jacakls, fishing cat, wild boar, deer, crocodiles, monitor lizards, several numbers of snakes and more. Some say there are Leopards in Bundala national park but the rangers say it’s very rare to spot one.

There are around 15 amphibious and 48 species of reptiles reported within Bundala national park. The kings among these reptiles are the estuarine and mugger crocodile. There are Star Tortoises, Pythons, Rat Snakes, Common Monitor Lizards, Cat Snakes, Whip Snakes, and endemic Flying Snakes are also seen on the national park. On top of that all five endangered species of marine turtle come to the national park to use this place as a breeding ground.

There are few tips you should follow when going on a Bird watching safari in Bundala National Park

• Bring a good binocular – If you are a keen birdwatcher you know you need a good binocular to explore birds within the safe distance without startling them. In some cases the safari ride provider gives you binocular but it’s good to have a one of your own.

• Zoom Lens – A good zooming lens is very essential when it comes to bird photography. Bundala national park being one of places that you can witness birds in their natural habitat it’s better to bring a good camera with a good zooming lens in order to take the perfect birdlife picture.

• Bundala is for birds – For birdwatchers a safari in Bundala National Park is bound to be a highlight of any trip to Sri Lanka, but if you’re hoping to see bigger animals such as elephants or leopards then it’s best to visit other parks. Bundala is definitely still worth a visit, just make sure to go on safari in Udawalawe, Yala or one of the many other national parks too!