Sri Lanka is a small island in the Indian Ocean, known for its beautiful beaches, but do take a closer look to discover some of its other wonders. Sri Lanka, despite its size, is one of the best countries in South Asia to watch animals in the wild. And with the recently introduced air taxi, Sri Lanka is even easier to explore. The various different habitats have been converted into national parks to protect the species that they support. Visit the wilds of Sri Lanka to observe large herds of elephants, solitary leopards, shimmering peacock and more.
Bundala National Park is located in the Hambantota District; two hundred and fifty kilometres from the capital city of Colombo. The quickest way to travel the distance is by taking a flight with an airline such as Cinnamon Air to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. The park spans over six thousand hectares but is smaller and less popular than the neighbouring Yala National Park. The region is hot, dusty and dry. You will notice the surrounding areas are mostly flat with thorny scrubs for vegetation but the lagoons and interwoven waterways make for a picturesque view.
Bundala National Park is of international significance because the park plays host to several species of migratory birds. Over two hundred species of bird have been recorded inside the park some travelling from as far as Siberia. It is best known for playing host to flamingoes who make it their winter home; as many as two thousand have been sighted at one time. Other types of fauna include the timid spotted deer, the spirited grey langur monkey and the pangolin, which is a rare sight. The park also has twenty kilometres of beachfront that stretches from Kirinda to Hambantota, where sea turtles sometimes come to nest.
Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+