Kumana National Park

Sri Lanka has a large nature reserve in the southeast, including many parts of the desert and several national parks that together form a region called Yala. Kumana National Park is the eastern part of this protected area and is as beautiful and diverse as its national parks. If you are looking for a safari experience that is not disturbed by the heavy foot traffic of tourists, and is just as amazing, Kumana is the best place to visit.

The only reason it seems to be quieter is because it is located on the east coast, which is far from Colombo, and most visitors are short on time and want to travel less. However, the park receives a healthy footfall from visitors from around the world who come to observe the amazing birds and birds. Elephants, wolves, wild boars, crocodiles and peacocks are some of the common animals seen in the Kumana National Park.

Kumana National Park in Sri Lanka is famous for its birdlife, especially the many birds of prey and birds of prey. The park is 391 kilometers (243 mi) southeast of Colombo on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka. Kumana is adjacent to Yala National Park. Kumana was formerly known as Yala East National Park, but was changed to its current name on 5 September 2006.

Safaris

Safaris in the Kumana National Park can be done in the morning at 6.00am, afternoon at 3.00pm, or a daily safari where you can take your meals and choose a place in the park to enjoy your meals. Different species can be seen at different times so you may want to do two safaris if you really want to see all the wild animals. You can book a safari in advance by searching for a company online, or easily organize trips from Arugam Bay, Panama or Pottuvil.

When should you visit Kumana National Park?

Kumana National Park is open to visitors throughout the year, but travel is not recommended during the rainy months. The swamp is dirty and very few birds and animals can be seen.

From February to July is the dry season in Kumana, which is the best time to visit the National Park. You can get a better understanding of the birds, animals and plants if you visit this season because it is better to see when the animals come to drink water from the lakes, and the views are also good on clear days.

Tips and advice

• Be quiet during the safari - animals run away when they hear a truck full of loud people. If they don't feel threatened, they will have no reason to leave.
• Be patient, especially if you want to take good pictures.
• Bring a monopod to fix your camera.
• Don't pass out; the guide has only one set of eyes. Join yours and you will be able to see a lot of things.
• Appropriate clothing - warm clothes are best. Sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, water and food are some of the things you should take with you.

Climate and Weather at Kumana National Park

In Kumana National Park, the average temperature is about 30 Degree Celsius, and the dry season is from February to July. Rain is expected in other months but dry days suitable for a safari in Kumana can easily be found. However, if it continues to rain for several days, the roads can become muddy, especially because of the already swampy environment in the park. Landscape of Kumana National Park

Kumana National Park is spreading over the area of ​​35,664 hectares. To the west, the park is bordered by the Kumubukkan Oya River; in the south of the southeast coast it flows into Panama. The 200 hectares of mangrove swamps known as "Kumana Villu" in the Park are affected by the inflow of the sea. This swamp is where many birds nest, in the months of May and June. Spread across the Kumana National Park are several popular wildlife pools: Kudawila wewa, Thummulla wewa and Kotalinda wewa.

The Kumana National Park provides good feeding and resting places for many species of endangered turtles, including three species of turtles such as the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta), Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivaceae).

Among other endangered species of reptiles is the Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). The best known reptiles in Kumana National Park are the Mugger Crocodile, the Indian Flap-shelled Turtle, and the Indian Black Turtle.

Physical Features

Kumbukkan Oya generates the southern boundary of the national park. About 20 lakes and tanks support many of the national park's bird species.[6] The lagoons are shallow and less than 2 meters (6.6 ft) deep. The Kumana villu is affected by sea currents. The elevation of the site ranges from sea level to 90 meters (300 ft). The average annual temperature is 27.30°C (81.14°F) and the area receives 1,300 millimeters (51.18 in) of annual rainfall.

Flora

Kumbukkan Oya makes the southern boundary of the national park. About 20 lakes and tanks support many species of birds in the national park.The lagoons are shallow and less than 2 meters (6.6 ft) deep. The Kumana villu is affected by the sea. The elevation of the site ranges from sea level to 90 meters (300 ft). The average annual temperature is 27.30°C (81.14°F) and the area receives 1,300 millimeters (51.18 in) of annual rainfall.

Fauna

Kumana Bird Sanctuary, opened in 1938, is included in the Kumana National Park. Kumana is one of Sri Lanka's most important bird and bird sanctuary. In the national park, 255 species of birds have been identified. From April to July tens of thousands of birds migrate to the Kumana wetlands. Rare species such as the black-necked warbler, lesser adjutant, Eurasian spoonbill, and thick-knees are breeding populations. Waders of the families Scolopacidae and Charadriidae are among the visitors to the area along with waterfowl. Guns range from 9,000 km (5,600 mi) to 11,000 km

(6,800 miles) from Siberia. Asiatic heron, glossy ibis, purple heron, great heron, Indian lake heron, black-backed night heron, heron intermediate, little flycatcher, pelican bill, Indian commo, little commo, common moorhen, waterfowl , purple swim, white breast. waterhen, pheasant-tailed jacana, black-whated stilt, lesser whistling duck and little grebe are the types of birds that migrate here in large flocks. One of the rare birds that pass through the swap is the yellow-legged green pigeon, more racket-tailed drongo. , Malabar trogon, scarlet malkoha, and sirkeer malkoha. The golden sand of the pacific, the greater sand, the lesser sand, the gray, the red stone, the small ring, the wood, the forest, the red common, the common sandpiper, the woodpecker, the whip, the common shot, and a little bit of the common snipe. birds of the park.

Tilapia and mullet are the species commonly fished in this area while Channa spp. is also available sometimes. Mugger crocodile, Indian flap-shelled tortoise and Indian black tortoise are the common reptiles living in the park. Animals such as the golden wolf, wild boar, Sri Lankan elephant, European otter, and fishing cats also visit the wetland to feed. The number of elephants that roam the Kumana is about 30-40.

Culturel significance and conservation

The Kumana area is part of an ancient civilization that goes back to the 3rd century BC. Rock inscriptions belonging to the 2nd and 1st centuries BC have also been found in the region. The Kumana National Park lies on the route of the traditional annual foot Pilgrimage to the Hindu temple at Kataragama.Both Tamil and Sinhalese communities take part in this pilgrimage.

The number of birds observed in the national park has fallen in recent years.Environmentalists and wildlife lovers have expressed their concern over a road planned to be constructed from Kirinda to Panama which will run along the coastline of the park.

Bambaragasthalawa Naga Pabbata Monastery Ruins

Situated within the national park, this monastery complex had been constructed in the 9th century AD according to assumptions by various historians. Archaeologists believe that this monastery complex was called the Naga Pabbata Viharaya in those times.

Although the complex has been left with ruins of what once was a home to many Buddhist monks, it carries some significance since there is a laying Buddha statue which is 26 feet long. According to study by historians, the style of the carvings belongs to the Anuradhapura era. However, this statue has been highly damaged by treasure hunters for valuables while only a very few statues such as this which were made of bricks, sand and lime plaster exists.

The remaining of the complex are dip-ledged caves, ruins of stupas and ancient bricks scattered around the premises. Most of these rocks contain several rock inscriptions but sadly most of those are highly damaged due to vandalism by treasure hunters.

Birds Watching

If you are a bird enthusiast looking forward to seeing a variety of species of birds, the Kumana National Park is the best place to be. Renowned as the best location or by some others as one of the best locations for birdlife in Sri Lanka, the park is a haven for endemic birds and also migratory birds. According to records, a total of 430 different species of birds have been identified within the park while 250 of those are migratory birds. Several of the often-seen species of birds in the park are the Pelicans, Painted Storks, spoonbills, White Ibis, herons, Egrets and hundreds of little Cormorants while the Black-Necked Stork is a very rare bird spotted in the park.

Scattered around the national park are several water pools and the ‘Kumana Villu’ which is a 200-hectare mangrove swamp occupies great importance. Water birds nesting is a breath-taking site that can bee seen at this venue during the months of May to June.

Additionally, among the birds that migrate to Kumana, some very rare species are the Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Malabar Trogon, Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo, Red-faced Malkoha, and Sirkeer Malkoha.

Several watchtowers are also situated within the park for those who are eager to capture a site of these bird species. It is indeed no doubt that you are going to capture some amazing bird life and also some mind-blowing pictures to take back home.

On the other hand, the Kumana National Park also allows you to spot several other wild animals such as Elephants, Leopards, Golden Jackal, Wild Boar, European Otter as well as the endangered Fishing Cat. At the same time, Kumana is also an important habitat for several threatened wetland species such as turtles and crocodiles. Some of such species are the Green Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Olive Ridley Turtle and the Mugger Crocodile.

Overall, the Kumana National Park allows you to witness great birdlife and wildlife at a single natural park. Necessary arrangements for your safari needs can be arranged through the tour consultants at Epic Sri Lanka Holidays.

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