Kumana National Park

As with many of the other national parks in Sri Lanka, definitely would recommend Kumana as a great alternative to Yala. Much less crowded, but with same high odds of spotting wildlife, including leopards.

It was really great, you can see crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, deer, peacocks and lots and lots of birds. We recommend the morning safari, where you can see a lot of animals and it's not that crowded. (We were in the park with only 2 other jeeps)

Great place to bird watching. I went there during my weekend with my family members. We spent amazing few hours in this national park. You can see some endemic aquatic birds as well. There is a large hearth rocks also there. You can go to kuda kabiliththa also.

Nice park. It's not like a safari in Africa, there are far fewer animals and the most particular ones are not easily seen. In August dry season there were very few: crocodiles buffaloes many birds. Still worth it.

Kumana National Park in Sri Lanka is renowned for its avifauna, particularly its large flocks of migratory waterfowl and wading birds. The park is 391 kilometres (243 mi) southeast of Colombo on Sri Lanka's southeastern coast. Kumana is contiguous with Yala National Park. Kumana was formerly known as Yala East National Park, but changed to its present name on 5 September 2006.

Amazing national park. Saw plenty of wildlife including 2 leopards. Not a guarantee we were told though

DO NOT GO THERE! We were there at the 14 of juni in 2023. It was so that bad, i dont know where to start.
- Costs around 12'000 per person
- Driver drove more like he was at a racing car
- GARBAGE ALL OVER THE "REST" AREAS AND FIRES, Because there was a religion walk from jaffna to there.
- Saw 1 Elephant, and 2 buffalos thats it.
- arround 2000 people who walk trough the park for this religion walk. SAD

I know its nature and u can not expect everything, but i really dont want to pay for an NATIONAL PARK WHO IS FULL OF PLASTIC BOTTLES. Common its a Nationl park an not anything else, really sad.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT.

If you have time and money, go on Safari in Afrika as we are last year. Of course expensier BUT mooooost better then this.

Kumana, is trule a gem for wildlife enthusiasts. One of the best Sri Lankan National Parks to spot Sri Lankan Leopards (Panthera Pardus Kotiya). Park is also not as crowded as other nearby national parks such as Yala.

Kumana National Park in Sri Lanka is renowned for its avifauna, particularly its large flocks of migratory waterfowl and wading birds. The park is 391 kilometres (243 mi) southeast of Colombo on Sri Lanka's southeastern coast. Kumana is contiguous with Yala National Park.  Kumana was formerly known as Yala East National Park, but changed to its present name on 5 September 2006.

This is a good park to visit
There is not many people through September to May so it is not bombarded with tourists like the other parks
I have been here a few times and have been lucky enough to see leopards in the wild as well as all the other animals and bird live

Located in the southeast corner of Sri Lanka, the 18,149 hectares Kumana National Park is a well-known eco-tourism attraction and bird sanctuary where a multitude of birds breed and roost. Kumana National Park is the eastern sector of Yala National Park. One of the most significant features of the Kumana National Park is the 'Kumana Villu' - a 200 hectare natural swamp lake, fed by the 'Kumbukkan Oya' through a half mile long narrow channel. It is at this mangrove swamp that many water birds’ nest in May and June. Regular sightings include such species of bird as pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills, white ibis, herons, egrets and little cormorants.

The very rare black-necked stork has also been spotted at the swamp in Kumana National Park. Besides the prolific birdlife, Kumana National Park is also home to some of the mammals found in the larger Yala National Park, such as Elephants and Leopards. The vegetation in Kumana National Park consists mainly of mangrove trees, kumbuk trees and the karan fern, as well as the open marsh area. If you are on a bird watching tour in Sri Lanka, Kumana National Park is an 'absolute must'.

Loved it. Personal favorite as it's less crowded and it has all the features of other national parks of Sri Lanka.
Landscapes are beautiful. You can spot many types of birds (ideal and best possible place to spot Black Necked Stork in Sri Lanka), sloth bears, leopards, elephants and occasional tuskers there.
Only downside is the distance you have to travel to reach the park.

Such a beautiful place. Everyone must see this park and wild animals here.

About prices: entrance 10$ per person + 250/350 RS for jeep entrance + 8% vat

Kumana National Park in Sri Lanka is renowned for its avifauna, particularly its large flocks of migratory waterfowl and wading birds. The park is 391 kilometres (243 mi) southeast of Colombo on Sri Lanka's southeastern coast. Kumana is contiguous with Yala National Park.
Kumana was formerly known as Yala East National Park, but changed to its present name on 5 September 2006.

Most known bird sactuary in Sri Lanka. You may observe many migratory species. It was a lucky day we oberved all kinds of wildlife. Elephants, leopards, wild boar, sambar, deers, crocks, peacocks, Ceylon fox (Nariya) any many more observed. Nice expanses of water, unic dry zone forest gives an epic beauty. So many dances of peacocks accompanied by thier female folks. Safari was a wonderful experience. We admire the dedication of wildlife department. Donot get out from your vehicle.

One of the most affordable safari experiences in Sri lanka. The travel duration lasts for 3 hours for a half safari. Main animals on sight is peacocks, deers and elephants with occasional sighting of rabbits and wild pigs. Amazing lake and green sceneries around the place. Best to leave before sunrise to sight all the animals early, occasionally you can find animals on the travel pathway.

Only drawback is the over crowding of people in the morning hours which makes the animals run away from the location.

This place originally known as the Yala East National Park, it was renamed Kumana National Park in 2006. Kumana has an average annual temperature of 27°C and an annual rainfall of 1,300 mm and its elevation ranges from sea-level to the low height of 90 metres.

There are about 20 lagoons and tanks here which are major contributors to the diversity of birdlife that can be seen in Kumana, most of which are water and wading species. These tanks can be less than two metres deep and are often flooded by seawater. The Kumana Bird Sanctuary, within the boundaries of the Kumana National Park, was declared a protected area in 1938, and is rated as one of the most important breeding grounds for birds in Sri Lanka.

Wasn't that much worth for what we are paying.
We have to pay 9000LKR just to watch some Buffaloes, Dear, Peacock, Elephant and wild pig.
Also we have to spend like 5 hours on this which seemed like a waste of time.

Best place to watch wild animals & birds. Recommended to spend holidays for nature lovers.

Except for two or three species of animals, no significant numbers were seen in the park. I think the animals do not come out because of the large number of vehicles roaming in this area.