![]() |
Copyright Notice: Please obtain permission from the author before duplicating, re-publishing or adapting content of a trip report |
![]() |
Be a responsible traveler! Watch this video before you hit the road! Download Video: MP4|3gp |
![]() |
Do you like to contribute a Trip Report? learn how to or download template and start straight away! |
Year and Month | August, 2010 |
Number of Days | Three Nights |
Crew | Four. Three adults and me (12 years) |
Accommodation | Camping (Wildlife Departments Campsite – Eda Kumbuka 2) |
Transport | 4WD Jeep |
Activities | Camping. Watching Wildlife. Visiting Archeological sites. Photography. |
Weather | Dry & Sunny |
Route | Bandarawela -> Kumbalwela -> Wellawaya -> Siyambalanduwa -> Pottuvil -> Paanama -> Okanda (Entrance to Kumana National Park) |
Tips, Notes and Special remarks |
|
Author | Prashastha |
Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
My parents told me that we were going to spend three nights camping in Kumana. I had never been there before but had seen a lot of pictures of Kumana taken by my father who had been there several times during the past few months.
This was also going to be my first camping trip in a National Park.
I almost had to miss the trip because of school. But, luck was on my side as Uncle Yohan decided to wait for me to finish school that day so that I too could go on the trip. It was in his vehicle that we went. I changed clothes and had lunch in the vehicle. Ah! Even my school books went to Kumana with me although I did not have any time to open them while at Kumana. Not that I planned to.
We reached the entrance to the National Park (NP) at Okanda quite late in the evening. At Okanda, Uncle Priyantha joined us as the Tracker.
The ‘Eda Kumbuka 2’ camp site was booked for us. It was by the ‘Kumbukkan Oya’. When we arrived at the camp site, it was dark.
First, the tents were put up and then Amma did the cooking in the dark. Then it was sleeping time. Late into the night, we found that we also have a frog inside the tent.
In the morning, I realized that there wasn’t a lot of water in the Oya. But, it was just the right amount to allow me to lay back on the river bed for a very long time.
We saw many birds and Uncle Yohan taught me some of their names.
Every time we passed the Kumana Villu we saw several elephants in the Villu. I was happy to see a lot of wild animals running about freely. It is good to have National Parks for animals because animals must have the freedom to live.
There was also an elephant that was brought to Kumana from a very faraway place.
The visits to the archaeological sites were very interesting. But, it was sad to observe that these sites had been damaged by treasure hunters and other people.
The visit to the Bowattagala Rock Caves was possible only after my father walked around the jungle with his maps and compass along with uncle Priyantha. It was the best site we visited.
Just outside the NP is Kudumbigala. Although there were lots of interesting things to see the whole place was a little modernized.
We visited some other interesting locations too.
For the first time in my life able to see Gal Siyambala trees at Kudumbigala. Some of the trees had fruits. No, we did not climb the trees but, picked up some fruits that were fallen on the ground.
Finally, many thanks to Uncle Yohan for taking me and my parents on this trip. This certainly was a super camping trip.