Camping in Kumana National Wildlife Sanctuary

With the reopening of the Kumana national park nearly two years ago, camping within Kumana had become a fad among the wildlife enthusiast that five main campsites maintained by the Department of Wildlife requires booking a good three months before. 

Birders who visit the Park are usually amazed at the sheer diversity of species that call Kumana home mainly due to the presence of 20 lagoons and tanks. These tanks are generally less than 2 metres deep and are often flooded by seawater and are spread throughout the park. 

Many campsites are located close to the water tanks and the Kumbukkan Oya, which forms the Southern boundary of the national park. The favourite among the five sites is the Gal Amuna Camp Site, Which stands by a natural rock Dam across the Kumbukkan Oya. The site is vast and surrounded by Kumbuk trees and provides a front seat view of the animals ranging from a vast number of birds to deer, elephant and leopards coming to the river for a drink. The naturally formed pool provides a rare crocodile free bathing spot to the campers. 

Heraligas Ara and Madametota too stand near the Kumbukkan Oya but are not the ideal bathing spots due to current and crocodiles. Yet the camping sites amply provide for the lack of water sports and animals and birds gathering by the river during the night and morning are sure to keep campers awake. 

The two Eda Kumbuka camp sites, thus named for the famous twisted Arjun tree too faces the Kumbukkan Oya and are two scenic sites with few hundred meters apart. Theyoffer many photographic opportunities, with or without animals, yet the proximity to the river means keeping a safe distance from the banks as the water level tends to record a sudden rise. 

The two river mouth camping sites, named for their closeness to the delta of Kumbukkan Oya occupies prized location between the river and the Indian Ocean and is ideal for bird watchers and turtle enthusiasts.  

The campsites, maintained by the Wildlife Department has to be pre-booked and a guide had to be secured while an off track vehicle is an essential due to state of the roads. However private campsite operators too function inside the Kumana Park and provide semi luxury and luxury camping options. 

Things To Do: Camping, photography, wildlife, sight seeing