Bundala National Park

Bundala stands as Sri Lanka's first Ramsar wetland, where salt pans and lagoons create a crucial wintering ground for countless migratory birds. This coastal sanctuary hosts all six species of resident wading birds and attracts over 200 species of migratory waterfowl, with greater flamingos often numbering in the thousands between September and March.

The park's diverse habitat mosaic - spanning lagoons, dunes, scrubland, and forest patches - supports one of Sri Lanka's highest concentrations of elephants in a coastal setting. Unique dawn safaris offer opportunities to spot rarely seen fishing cats and jungle cats along the lagoon edges, while saltwater crocodiles bask on exposed sandbanks.

What truly distinguishes Bundala is its accessibility and compact size, allowing visitors to experience multiple ecosystems within a single safari. The park's location near Yala creates perfect conditions for combining classic big game viewing with serious bird watching in a single day.