Just south of Yala lies Bundala National Park, a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve and one of Sri Lanka’s top bird-watching destinations. The park’s mix of saline lagoons, marshes, and scrubland habitats makes it a haven for over 200 bird species, both migratory and endemic. Notable avian residents include flamingos, painted storks, egrets, and the rare black-necked stork. Bundala is also home to elephants, crocodiles, and monitor lizards. The best time for a bird safari is between October and March, when migratory birds from as far as Siberia and Europe arrive, transforming the park into a paradise for ornithologists and nature enthusiasts.