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Safari at Kumana National Park

The crescent shaped Arugam Bay lying in the Eastern Coast of Sri Lanka is considered a surfer’s Utopia with its point breaks, blue green waters and the laid-back atmosphere.

Leaving out the waves, the divine shore is a fitting place to kick-start a trip to lesser-known national parks thronged with faunae that inhabit the south-eastern corners of the island.

Wake up afore the day peep and set off through the evergreen towards Kumana, the hotbed of Sri Lankan avifauna.

Your ranger guide, associated with the Wild Life Department is the perfect person to steer you through everything from winds to weather, ensuring a serene yet an engaging experience.  Known as the Yala East National Park, Kumana is boarded by the ‘Kumbukkan Oya’ a water flow that provides habitats for numerous bird species while smearing the backdrop with heavenly colours.

Primarily known for birds; Kumana is home to the elusive leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, buffalo and several species of crocodiles. Reserved and distrustful they prefer to remain in the shadows yet occasionally toddle over for a quick hello.  There is also the lone elephant who wreaked havoc in the nearby villages at night, retreating into the bushes with a certain amount of guilt. After all, you are not the only curious and the shamefaced beast in the jungle today.

Kumana birdlife is favoured by over twenty lagoons and tanks. Apart from the familiar Sri Lankan natives, Kumana provides refuge to many species of migrant birds. Throughout the year, hoards of birds migrate to Kumana swamps known as ‘Kumana Villu’.  The sanctuary encompasses the abandoned Kumana village of which the only remnants are some forlorn coconut trees.

Sit on the sandy banks of the Kumbukkan Oya for some refreshments. The bank holds the shrine ‘kebaliththa Devala’ dedicated to an extremely sacred deity. The locals consider it as a place of great spiritual power and retain precise conventions at all times.

Less cramped and capacious Kumana is a great place to acquaint yourself with the local wildlife leaving the pandemonium and chaos to the less fortunate traveller.