Kumana Mobile Tented Camp
Kumana National Park

Kumana Mobile Tented Camp is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Safari Lodges in Asia.

This camp in Kumana National Park is one of our favourite hidden gems in Sri Lanka, and offers the best wildlife experience anyone could want on the island. Simple yet brilliant, the camp is run on a completely private basis and comprises a small collection of A-frame tents equipped with single or double pop-up beds, perfect for adventurers who prefer a back-to-nature experience with just the right touch of comfort.

Located in the remote southeastern corner of Sri Lanka, Kumana National Park is a well-known bird sanctuary, home to an extraordinary diversity of birdlife and mammals. One of the park’s most significant features is the Kumana Villu - a 200 hectare natural mangrove swamp lake, where many water birds nest in May and June. Regular sightings include species such as pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills, white ibis, herons, egrets and little cormorants. The very rare black-necked stork has also been spotted at the swamp. Kumana shares its western boundary with the better-known Yala National Park, but with far fewer visitors. In addition to prolific birdlife, elephants and elusive leopards can also be spotted, often in near solitude and away from the crowds from Yala.

The accommodation is intentionally pared back and back to basics; simple canvas tents with a fresh water shower and separate portable loos just outside. The communal area comprises of a large table and chairs, along with a comprehensive library of the best wildlife books you could ask for. It is the perfect place to swap stories and relax when you are not out exploring the bush.

The food is cooked onsite by your expert guides and is mostly traditional Sri Lankan dishes but western food may be available upon request. We recommend trying as much of the local cuisine as possible because the aromatic curries, sambols and rice dishes are absolutely delicious! Dining under the stars and by a jungle river is the most thrilling experience.

While the wildlife here is fantastic, the camp also offers a wide array of excursions beyond the safari jeep. Enjoy cycling through remote jungle paths, swimming in hidden river pools, visiting secluded lagoons and panoramic viewpoints, or trekking to nearby monasteries and temples, all guided by the warmest and most knowledgeable naturalists in Sri Lanka.

The camp has a choice of three locations, each of which is fantastic; close to the ocean, within the forest or next to the river. The best thing about the experience, is that you will be looked after by the ultimate experts in the field who are not only great fun and charming but are also wildlife experts who know the park inside out and are incredibly passionate about what they do. Some of them have worked and lived in the park for many years; they are the knowledge of the land and it really couldn’t get much better!

This is a truly unforgettable stay for birdwatchers, wildlife lovers, and nature enthusiasts who crave a remote, off-grid escape in one of Sri Lanka’s most pristine national parks.

To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson