A short distance from the southern town of Hambantota, Bundala National Park is renowned as one of Sri Lanka’s best bird-watching locations. A RAMSAR wetland, the park hugs the coastline and encompasses five brackish lagoons which provide the main point of the attraction, with their rich feeding grounds supporting large flocks of waterfowl, both local and migratory. The park is best known for its large population of migratory greater flamingoes, numbering in excess of a thousand birds, believed to originate from the Rann of Kutch. Other birdlife that frequents the waters of the lagoons is whistling teal, garganey, Asian openbill, painted stork, and black-headed ibis.

A small population of elephants exist at Bundala National Park but are not sighted very often. Spotted deer and grey langurs are very common, together with abundant numbers of peafowl. Secluded by tall dunes, the beaches of the park are a breeding ground for all five species of turtle found in Sri Lankan waters.

Written by Jonathan Roelofsz for Travel Lanka Compass