For the lover of the natural world, the South Asian island of Sri Lanka is a true paradise. Blessed with misty mountains, sandy coastal beaches and an abundance of wildlife, this island makes for a memorable visit. Those who do not wish to stray far from its capital, Colombo, can always opt to make an excursion along the Southern belt of the island and spend their days overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Residing in the heart of the South means that travellers can settle down in accommodation located within coconut plantations, such as Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, or reside in a resort located on a hill and enjoy a vantage view. When in Tangalle, one can opt to visit Galle, an iconic coastal town. Things to do in Galle, Sri Lanka are numerous and as the town was once a stronghold during Dutch occupation, there are many ruins and museums to explore. Others harbouring an interest in nature can seek to discover the abundant wildlife that roams the national parks and one of the closest such parks is Bundala.
Prior to its status as a national park, Bundala was initially designated a wildlife sanctuary and subsequently, in 2005, UNESCO designated the park a Man and Biosphere Reserve. Thus, the flora and fauna profile of Bundala is stunning. The lagoons are dominated by Hydrilla, Water Hyacinth, Water Lillies and Blue-green algae while the vegetation and trees include Cassia, different types of shrubs and over three hundred plant species. The Lagoon is also home to a small mangrove patch.
The Bundala National Park also plays host to a number of migratory species of which the Greater Flamingo are stunning. Thus, the Park has been designated an Important Bird Area and the Park has also witnessed the launch of the National Bird Ringing Programme. It is an iconic national park worth a visit when visiting Southern Sri Lanka.
Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.