Bundala National Park
A Ramsar wetland in southeast Sri Lanka known for greater flamingos and other water birds that gather on its shallow, salt-pan lagoons.
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Bundala National Park is a protected wetland in Hambantota District, about 245 km southeast of Colombo. It lies just north of Hambantota town and south of Yala National Park, and the main road from Hambantota forms its western boundary. Five shallow, brackish lagoons, some with salt pans, and a strip of coastal sand dunes make up the park. Bundala was the first wetland in Sri Lanka to be designated a Ramsar site, in 1991.
The park is best known for greater flamingos, which arrive in flocks of more than 1,000 birds from the Rann of Kutch in India. Herons, ibises, spoonbills, storks and waders also gather here, and about 197 bird species have been recorded. Asian elephants, leopards and mugger crocodiles live in the park too, so keep a safe distance from lagoon and river edges. Migratory birds use the park as a wintering ground, so plan a visit around the season when migrants are present. The Kirindi Oya river forms the eastern boundary.
Bundala National Park in five
- Book the permit online and keep the QR codeBundala uses the DWC's online permit service, and the permit carries a QR code that is checked at the gate. The Yala guide explains the booking, so use it for your date.DWC eServices
- Go for the migratory birdsRamsar calls Bundala the most important wintering site in southern Sri Lanka for migratory shorebirds, regularly holding over 15,000 birds. Plan around the northern winter and ask your guide what is in residence.Ramsar record
- Go with a jeep and an authorized guideThe FCDO warns that wild elephants and crocodiles occasionally attack humans and advises following authorized guides. Do not walk the park on your own.UK travel advice
- Stay with your vehicle and guideThe DWC says human activity inside protected areas is prohibited or limited. Stay in or beside your vehicle unless your guide says it is safe, and keep noise down near the lagoons.
- Base on the south coast, not in the parkMatara and the south-coast beaches are the usual bases, with the road continuing east toward Tissamaharama and Hambantota. Decide early whether you want an early start, since permits and jeeps are limited.Matara travel guide
Things to do in Bundala National Park
See all attractions in Bundala National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- Park permit through the DWC; price set per booking
- Permits
- Online with the DWC; limited per day
- Season
- Check the DWC for closures; northern winter is the bird season
- Nearest town
- Hambantota and Tissamaharama area
- Getting there
- By road from the south coast; a jeep and guide inside the park
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryWinter birds
- FebruaryWinter birds
- MarchDry, hot
- AprilHot, showers
- MayHot, humid
- JuneDry, windy
- JulyDry, windy
- AugustDry, windy
- SeptemberDry, hot
- OctoberRains begin
- NovemberWet
- DecemberWet
Right now in Bundala National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 32°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Bundala National Park
02:10 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°24°98%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed31°23°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu31°23°100%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri30°24°100%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat30°23°100%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun29°23°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 02:01 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 332.4 LKR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Matarawest along the coast roadA working market city and the usual transport hub.Read the guide
- Yala National Parka longer outing eastDescribed by the CCF as having the world's highest density of leopards.
- Tissamaharamaon the road eastA heritage site on the CCF list, near the southern parks.
Before you go to Bundala National Park
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Rules for Bundala National Park, checked
Plan around Bundala National Park
The nearest city on the south coast
Read the guideMirissa travel guideWhale boats and a small bay
Read the guideArugam Bay travel guideThe east-coast surf village
Read the guideOfficial site or resellerBuying permits and tickets without extras
Read the guideGetting around Sri LankaDrivers, trains and buses compared
Read the guideAll of Sri LankaRoutes, seasons and entry rules
Read the guideBundala National Park FAQ
What is Bundala National Park known for?
Birds. Ramsar lists Bundala, designated on 15 June 1990, as the most important wintering site in southern Sri Lanka for migratory shorebirds, regularly holding over 15,000, and as habitat for rare and threatened waterbirds.
When is the best time to visit Bundala for birds?
The northern winter, when migratory shorebirds are in residence. Ramsar calls Bundala the key wintering site in the south, so plan around those months and ask your guide about recent sightings.
Do you need a permit for Bundala?
Yes, a day permit booked online through the DWC, with a QR code checked at the gate. The Yala guide covers the booking steps; check the current fee for your group before you travel.
Can you visit Bundala on your own?
Most visitors go in a hired jeep with a guide. The FCDO warns that wild elephants and crocodiles occasionally attack humans and says to follow authorized guides, so do not walk the park on your own.
Bundala or Yala: which park?
Choose Bundala for birds and wetlands, and Yala for the classic big-game safari, which the CCF describes as having the world's highest density of leopards. Bundala suits a shorter outing if you are already on the south-east coast.