Kumana Mobile Tented Camp
Kumana National Park

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

This camp 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-farmed tents with single or double pop-up beds.

Located in the southeast corner of Sri Lanka, the Kumana National Park is a well-known bird sanctuary where a multitude of birds breed and roost. One of the most significant features of the park is the Kumana Villu - a 200 hectare natural mangrove swamp lake, where many water birds nest in May and June. Regular sightings include such species of bird 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. Besides the prolific birdlife, Kumana is also home to some of the mammals found in the larger Yala National Park, on it's western side. Here you may find elephants and leopards on nature safari walks.

The accommodation is back to basics in simple tents with a fresh water shower and separate portable loos located next to the tents. 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 relax when you are not out exploring.

The food is cooked onsite by your guides and is mostly traditional Sri Lankan dishes but western food may be available upon request. However we recommend trying as much of the local fare as possible because it is absolutely delicious! Dining under the stars and by a jungle river is the most thrilling experience.

While the wildlife here is fantastic, the excursions on offer are not limited to safari game drives and bird watching. Cycling tours, river swimming, lagoon visits, local temple and monastery tours, hiking and panoramic viewpoints are all popular activities and your guides are on hand to make sure you experience everything in the best way possible.

The camp has a choice of locations, each of which is fantastic. There is a site 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 experience is for bird watching and wildlife enthusiasts who want to get back to nature, leave civilisation behind, and truly immerse yourself in the wilds of Sri Lanka.

My favourite thing is to go where I've never been.
Diane Arbus