Explorer by Mahoora Private Mobile Tented Safari Experience – Bundala
It’s camping but without having to let go of the creature comforts or attentive service that is intrinsic to a Mahoora Experience. Explorer by Mahoora is particularly appealing to those in search of an opportunity to connect up-close with the earth and wildlife in a way they have never done before, in wonderful seclusion.
Isolation lends itself to privacy for an intimate experience with nature, making it really just you and nature, with no traces of civilisation. Only 3 tents can be constructed for guests, with a maximum occupancy of 3 guests per campout.
With a private naturalist, chef, and camp staff, excursions can be arranged at any time and safaris may be as long or as short as you choose, as adventurous experiences await.
Private Tented Safari Camping Experience in Bundala (1 night/ 2 days)
Kataragama - 33.6 km travel time: 48 mins
Udawalawe - 72.4 km travel time: 1 hr 23 mins
Arugam Bay - 171 km travel time: 3 hrs 33 mins
Galle - 137.2 km travel time: 2 hrs 55 mins
Matara - 93.8 km travel time: 2 hrs 10 mins
Tangalle - 56.1 km travel time: 1 hr 11mins
Ella - 94 km travel time: 1 hr 52 mins
Nuwara Eliya - 149 km travel time: 3 hrs 46 mins
Return to real safari camping…
Your ultimate holiday safari awaits.
Living Experience
Living in the Explorer by Mahoora Camp in Bundala National Park is very distinct. The campsite is surrounded by all things beautiful; the lagoon is the campsite’s front yard, while a white sandy beach just 100 meters away is its backyard. The rest is a virgin forest that makes you feel like you’re in a dream, as tall palm trees and thick bushes adorn the landscape by the shallow lagoons. These wetlands are home and playground to numerous species of birds who make this their permanent home, or their temporary abode to escape the harsh winter.
Accommodation
The Explorer by Mahoora Living Experience combines rustic with modern. Enjoy a spacious, tented safari camp accommodation which includes:
- A fully-sealed tent (15.6”x 8”) with ventilation nets for added comfort
- A cosy bedroom with mattresses and raised double beds
- En-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, showering facilities using pipe-borne cold running water, and a flushable toilet
- Freshly laundered bed linens and towels
- Private veranda / porch outside the tent
- Flashlight / torch, slippers and an umbrella
- A shoe rack, 2 foldable arm-chairs and a coffee table
- Unlimited glass-bottled water
Due to the nature of the jungle environment, electricity is run off the camp generator which means laptops and cameras may be charged on request in the campsite in the evenings only. There is no electricity in the tent.
Your stay with us will always be eco-friendly and carbon neutral.
Included in your package:
- A personal chef and naturalist.
- All meals; breakfast, lunch, high tea, and dinner. This includes snacks and juices.
- Experienced, uniformed, professional and discreet staff.
- A wealth of knowledge backed by over 20 years of experience as pioneers in the field of operating mobile camping.
- All National Park / Nature Reserve fees, tracker's fees, taxes and service charges.
- A unique lunch and dinner setting within the camp area.
- Atmospheric lighting with a campfire, traditional oil lamps, and hurricane lamps.
Dining Experience
Your wild dining is set up within the campsite, and meals are freshly prepared on-site by our executive chef using the freshest fruits and vegetables from the local community. Fish and meat items are purchased from local fishermen and a reputable food supplier respectively. A BBQ Dinner takes place on one night while à la carte meals – both Sri Lankan and Western – are served at other times.
The camp has a fully-equipped kitchen complete with modern cooling and freezing facilities. Special dietary requirements can be catered to upon prior notice. Menus are deliciously local and carefully designed for your palate, so your culinary journey complements the rest of your safari vacation adventure.
Game Drives
There are 2 Sri Lanka Wildlife Safaris available each day. The early morning safari starts at 6am and ends at approximately 10am, whilst the late afternoon / sunset safari takes place from 3pm until approximately 6pm. Unlimited safaris can be arranged upon prior request for special photography / filming purposes. The aforementioned Sri Lanka safari tour times are the best viewing times for wildlife in the parks, as most animals retreat inside the forests from mid-morning until mid-afternoon. We use special jeeps with front facing, cushioned seats on three different levels* for maximum animal viewing and photography opportunities. A complimentary picnic basket with sandwiches and hot & cold beverages is provided on the morning safari, and complimentary hot & cold beverages are provided on the afternoon safari.
You don’t know the nuances of wildlife in Sri Lanka if you haven’t been on a Safari Tour in Bundala National Park. There have been 324 species of vertebrates recorded in the Park, of which 32 species are fish, 15 species are amphibians, 48 species are reptiles, 197 species are birds, and 32 species are mammalian. 52 species of butterflies and large Sri Lankan elephants can also be seen here.
Bundala National Park is home to 32 different species of mammals, five of which are classified as threatened. For bird enthusiasts, the complex wetland system harbours rich bird life, with 197 species recorded, including several species of migratory waterfowl. There is a small population of Sri Lankan elephants (a recognised subspecies of its Asian counterpart) in Bundala which are fairly easy to spot in the open habitat. Visitors are often lucky enough to see a lone elephant walking along the beach.
Sri Lankan Leopards can also be found in the Park with their food source being the numerous Spotted Deer, Sambar and Barking Deer, although they are not as easy to spot. The endemic Toque Macaque, Common Langur, Jackal, Fishing Cat, Rusty-spotted Cat, Mongoose, Wild Boar, Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer and Black-naped Hare are amongst the other mammals which can be sighted on a Bundala safari.
Ready for the best safari in Sri Lanka?
* A range of Jeeps, both 2WD and 4WD are available. Depending on the National Park / Reserve and the safari routes used, the appropriate vehicle is chosen; it is not always necessary to use a 4WD vehicle. If guests require certain kinds of jeeps on special occasions such as a honeymoon safari or photography safari, prior notice must be given before confirmation of booking.
Bundala National Park
This National Park has been identified as an outstanding “Important Bird Area” in the South Indian and Sri Lankan wetlands. 197 species of birds have been identified here, with the wetland habitats harbouring about 100 species of water birds, of which half are migrants. Of the 197 avifaunal species, 58 are migratory species.
The Bundala National Park is the last known refuge of the Greater Flamingo and large flocks can be observed here during their migration season. Bundala is the only National Park in Sri Lanka where safari-goers get to observe both species of crocodiles that exist on the island. High numbers of Estuarine and Mugger Crocodiles can be seen here. The Estuarine Crocodile is the largest of all the reptiles; males grow up to 7m in length and can weigh even up to 1,200 kilograms, while the females are much smaller in comparison, reaching a maximum length of just 3m.
Covering an area of 6216 hectares, Bundala is located about 250 kilometres southeast of Colombo in the Hambantota district. The Park falls within the Southeastern arid zone of Sri Lanka, with a general climate that can be classified as hot and dry. The terrain is generally flat with sand dunes bordering the coastline, and vegetation consists mainly of dry thorny scrublands and lagoons. A total of 383 plant species belonging to 90 families have been recorded here. Hydrilla is in abundance in lagoons such as Embilikala and Malala, while Water Hyacinth, Water Lilies and Typha Angustifolia reed beds are found in the marshes and streams. The vegetation mostly consists of shrubs and a depleted mangrove patch. A total of 383 plant species have been recorded from the Park, including 6 endemic and 7 species considered as nationally threatened. The Park is also home to 32 different species of mammals, 5 of which are classified as threatened.
Bundala National Park is also home to a fishing community who make their living through inland fishing. The influence of climatic factors, extreme rainfall, droughts and sea water intrusion, have had a long lasting impact on inland fishing; influencing the lives of the community.
