Size | 6,216 hectares |
Main attraction | Elephants and a large number of migratory and resident birds. |
Bundala National Park is situated in the southeast part of the country in the semi-arid zone in the Hambantota District of the Southern Province. The park area consists mainly of dry thorny scrubland and lagoons. In addition, there are streams, seasonal water holes, tanks, salt marshes, mangroves, seashores and salterns, aspects that add to the diversity of habitat and the richness of its biodiversity.
The abundance of lagoons has made Bundala an ideal location for a large number of migratory and resident birds. Up to 2,000 Grater Flamingos have been recorded during the November – January season and the total bird population can exceed 20,000 during migratory season. This has made Bundala a top priority location for the bird enthusiast.
Bundala is also popular for its elephant population. Though physically smaller than the elephants in the other regions, they are reputed to be more violent than their cousins in other parts of the country.
In This coastal area also attracts four out of Sri Lanka’s five sea turtle species, which come ashore to lay their eggs. This park is much less visited than Yala so largely voids the weekend crowds.
Bundala was declared a sanctuary in 1969 and upgraded to a national park in 1992. In 1990, under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance for Migratory Waterfowl, Bundala was declared a RAMSAR site, becoming the first RAMSAR site in this country. In 2005 the national park was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the fourth biosphere reserve in Sri Lanka.
As Bundala National Park is located in a semi-arid zone, rainfall is highly seasonal. The main source of rainfall is Northeast monsoons (December- February). The area experiences a prolonged drought from May to October. The temperature during this period can exceed 30C.
Access
There are two regular routes from Colombo, viz Along the coast via Galle, Matara, Tangalle, Hambantota (approx. 160 miles/256 km) Via Ratnapura, Pelmadulla, Embilipitiya, Hambantota (approx. 152 miles/245 km)
Visitors and Visitor Facilities
Accommodation is available outside the park at Tissmaharama, Wirawila and Hambantota, from where jeeps are available for hire. There are several watchtowers in the park. A newly opened visitor centre is at the park entrance.
Entrance Fees for Bundala National Park
Description (Fees Applicable for Category 2 Parks) | Price |
---|---|
Local – Adults | LKR 60 |
Local – Children (6-12 years) | LKR 30 |
Local – Student | LKR 20 |
Local – Children (below 6 years) | FOC |
Local – Group Fee (per vehicle) | LKR 400 |
Foreign – Adults | USD 12 |
Foreign – Children (6-12 years) | USD 6 |
Foreign SAARC Countries – Adults | USD 10 |
Foreign SAARC Countries – Children (6-12 years) | USD 5 |
Foreign – Children (below 6 years) | FOC |
Foreign – Group Fee (per vehicle) | USD 10 |
Taxes on total cost | 15% |
Entrance Fee per vehicle | LKR 300 |
For example, for 2 foreigners with 1 child between 6 and 12 will have the cost of
Description | Cost |
---|---|
2 adults | USD 24.00 |
1 child | USD 6.00 |
Group Fee | USD 10.00 |
Total | USD 40.00 |
Tax (15%) | USD 6.00 |
Total | USD 46.00 |
Payments can be made in USD or equivalent LKR by foreigners. You can call 1919 (government information center) for the latest ticket prices. If you are hiring a private safari Jeep, the prices vary from LKR 11,000 to LKR 15,000 for half a day (4 hours) based on the park. For a full day, it’s double the cost of a half day.
Also See
Map of Bundala National Park
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.
Travel Directions to Bundala National Park
Route from Colombo to Bundala National Park Entrance | Route II from Colombo to Bundala National Park Entrance |
Through : Southern Expressway – Matara – Tangalle – Hambantota Distance : 260 km Travel time : 5 hours. Driving directions : see on google map | Through : Ratnapura – Madampe – Embilipitiya – Hambantota Distance : 230 km Travel time : 5 hours. Driving directions : see on google map |
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