Kumana National Park spans 35,664 hectares of coastal wilderness, famous for its bird sanctuary, the “Kumana Villu.” This 200 hectare swamp fills with nesting pelicans, herons and painted storks during breeding season. Migratory flocks from as far as Siberia join, creating an avian spectacle that makes Kumana one of Asia’s top birdwatching sites.  

But birds are only part of its allure. Kumana also shelters mammals, including elephants, leopards and wild buffalo, while coastal dunes are nesting grounds for endangered turtles like the Olive Ridley. Reptiles, crocodiles and a rich diversity of fish thrive in lagoons and mangroves. 

Cultural heritage enriches the landscape, ancient rock inscriptions and cave shrines hint at centuries of human connection with the land. Trails reveal abandoned villages reclaimed by nature, underscoring the timeless relationship between people and wilderness. 

Safaris here feel different from those in Yala. With fewer visitors, Kumana offers peaceful encounters, where lagoons shimmer under vast skies and the calls of birds dominate the soundscape. For photographers, dawn brings magical light across reflective waters. For nature lovers, every corner holds promise. Kumana is not just a park, it is a sanctuary of birds, beasts and silence.