Bundala National Park is among the leading Wildlife Parks in Sri Lanka for bird lovers. It is renowned for its Ave population, both of aquatic and terrestrial varieties. There are, of course, other types of creatures too, who call the Park home. Among them are the famous Sri Lankan elephant, the stealthy spotted leopard, marsh crocodiles, estuarine crocodiles, hosts of languor monkeys, giant squirrels, rabbits, mongooses, covets, and sloth bears. During the months of October, November, and December, a number of endangered turtle species come ashore to lay eggs.
Safaris to the Park are arranged during the dry season, which usually is between December and May. This is when the wildlife comes out and about, giving you the best chance at spotting them. This is ideal for the bird lover as well, as this falls right in the middle of northern winter months when the migratory birds make their way to tropical islands. Thus, you will be able to see a colourful collection of birds – almost 200 species have been recorded at the Park – including painted storks, spoonbills, egrets, stints, plovers, gulls, sand poppers, terns, ducks, pelicans, and ibis.
Visiting the Bundala National Park is somewhat tricky in that it is located in isolation, away from active sites of tourism. However, it does feature on your list of things to do in Galle. Sri Lanka is a small island, thus it takes you less than two hours to go from a prominent hotel in the area like Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort to the Park. As there are safaris arranged during early morning as well as late afternoon, you can pick the time you are most comfortable with for your safari. A camera, a hat, a strong pair of boots, and sunblock is all you need to create memories of a lifetime.
Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media.