Southeast · Yala East
Kumana
Yala's wild eastern neighbour, with mangrove swamps, rock outcrops and huge waterbird nesting colonies, and a fraction of the jeeps.
Kumana shares a border with Yala but feels like a different country. It is remote and quiet, built around the Kumana Villu swamp, where thousands of storks, ibis and spoonbills nest each year.
Leopards and elephants are here too, without the crowds. The rocks of Okanda at the park’s edge make a beautiful dawn start.
When to go
April to July for the nesting colonies, which peak around May and June.
What you’ll see
Painted and black-necked storks, spoonbills, pelicans and herons at the villu, plus leopard, elephant and mugger crocodile on the tracks.
Expeditions that visit Kumana
Free guide
Planning Kumana? Start with our field guide
Every park, the best months for each and how to plan a first safari. Or tell us your dates and we'll build a route.