Bundala Bird Watching Safari
Duration
Half Day
Start Time
5.30am or 2.30pm
End Time
9am or 6pm
Overview
The park is the first wetland to be declared a “Ramsar” site in Sri Lanka, the “RamsarConvention’’ on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat, is an international treaty.
This is also a designated “biosphere reserve” by UNESCO. A “biosphere reserve” is a term given to an area for the conservation of the resources of the biosphere and the improvement of the relationship between man and the environment.
The reserve hosts 197 different species of birds that include 139 residents, and 58 different seasonal visitors, and it is one of the best places to observe both migrant and resident birds which use the park’s five shallow lagoons as feeding sites. Some migrating birds during the winter months are famous for settling here.
Amongst these species are a vast variety of birds including Black-Headed Ibis Pelicans, Painted Storks, Egrets, and Spoonbills. Particularly in the months of September-March, the park is known to play host to an abundance of winged guests with record amounts of Stints, Sandpipers, Plovers, Terns, gulls, and ducks being spotted along with other small mammals, reptiles, and butterflies.
The sanctuary’s most famous visitors however are the massive flocks of Flamingos. The area is a Flamingo paradise, with numbers varying each year. Up to 2,000, Greater Flamingo sightings have been recorded here, of which around 350 have chosen to make the sanctuary their home all year-round. Not to be missed are the resident peacocks who can be seen perched on countless high trees in the park.
Bundala National Park must absolutely be a part of your itinerary, especially for the bird watchers.
- Daily departures
- Operates between October and March
- Private experience
- Available for guests staying in Hambantota, Tangalle, Udawalawe, and Yala and Tangalle
Good to know
Due to the early start time of the morning excursion, we’d recommend an afternoon visit for those staying further afield.
