15 Madu River Safaris in Bentota to Build a Day Around

1.Bentota River Safari with Mangrove and Wildlife Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 182 reviews · 2 hours · from $20Our pick

Bentota River safari by boat through mangroves and delta views, with wildlife like crocodiles, monitor lizards, monkeys, and birds in 2 hours.

“We were picked up from our hotel in Wadduwa and driven to Bentoto which was just under an hour. We then met our guide Sumal who took us down the back waters. We saw a variety of wildlife thanks to Sumal. We would have missed so much without his expert eye. We saw a Brahminy Kite, Crested Serpent Eagle, monkeys, chameleon, crocodiles, common kingfisher, cormorant, bee eaters, and numerous water monitors. Great value for the 2 hour trip which ended with coconut milk and fresh pineapple. Just remember it’s hot on the trip so take fluids and a hat (oh and your camera obviously!!) Chris, Nicky, Mike & Deb.”

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2.2h Bentota River Safari: Crocodiles, Monkeys, Mangrove & more

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 128 reviews · from $32Top rated

2-hour Bentota River boat safari with hotel pickup, a coconut drink, and expert spotting of crocodiles, monkeys, mangroves, and birds.

“We had an excellent trip on the River Safari, from the communication about pick up, pick up from our hotel in Tuk Tuks, the river safari itself and taken back to our hotel. Our guide was knowledgeable and fun, he spotted a chameleon from a long way away, it was very impressive. The drive through the mangroves was very impressive too. Overall, amazing experience, we would recommend to everyone!”

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3.Bentota River Safari By BTM (Mangrove & Wildlife Encounter)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 90 reviews · from $32

Bentota River mangrove safari by BTM: a 2-hour wildlife cruise with pickup, local guide, and great birding in Bentota, Sri Lanka.

“We loved this! Never seen a mangrove forest up close and it felt like an unanticipated bucket-list experience. Our guide Hari was a lovely guy, very knowledgeable about the ecosystem and with a genuine passion for nature. We saw a chameleon, huge monitor lizard, baby crRead more”

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4.Pottuvil Lagoon Eco Tour : Mangrove Adventure in Arugam Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 67 reviews · 3 hours · from $32

3-hour Pottuvil Lagoon mangrove boat safari in Arugam Bay, sunrise or sunset wildlife spotting, with king coconut refreshment for $32.

“Rishi was a kind guide. The tour was beautifull and we saw a gigantic crocodile.”

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5.Galle Day Trip with River Safari, Sea Turtle & Stilt Fishermen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $110

Full-day Galle trip from Bentota with mangrove river safari, sea turtle center, tsunami museum, Dutch Fort, stilt fishermen, lunch included.

“La visita que realmente merece la pena es el paseo por el río, el resto de visitas/entradas son gratuitas. El conductor, NO guía, te lleva de un sitio a otro y en cada sitio o te venden algo o te piden un donativo al enseñarte algo, NO requieren paRead more”

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6.Arugambay :Pottuvil Lagoon Mangrove Eco Boat Safari Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 48 reviews · 3 hours · from $32

Paddle through Pottuvil Lagoon mangroves, spotting birds and crocodiles, with a chance of bathing elephants. Tuk-tuk pickup included.

“We had a wonderful time in the lagoon. Shiham was a great guide, we learned a lot about the nature and animals in the lagoon. We would totally recommend this tour :)”

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7.Bentota River Safari: Discover Wildlife & Mangroves by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 41 reviews · 2 hours · from $20

2-hour Bentota River boat safari with mangroves and wildlife spotting, plus hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide. From $20.

“The tour was very relaxing and enjoyable. The guide was very knowledgeable and patient.”

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8.From Colombo/Negombo: Galle, Madu River, and Turtle Hatchery

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 41 reviews · 10 hours · from $46

Private Sri Lanka day trip from Colombo or Negombo: Madu River safari, Kosgoda turtle hatchery, Galle Fort walk, moonstone stop.

“we had a great time, checked out a lot of different locations and the boat ride definitely was the highlight - even though all the experiences were very worth it”

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9.Madu River Boat Safari Balapitiya

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · from $29

A 2-hour shared motorboat safari on Sri Lanka’s Madu River with mangroves, an island temple, fish pedicure, and cinnamon stop.

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10.Negombo Lagoon Boat Safari Hotel Pickup(Monkey,Mangrove)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $50

Negombo Lagoon boat safari with hotel tuk tuk pickup, mangrove wildlife, fruit and king coconut, plus a culture loop through town.

“We enjoyed the boat trip very much. The guides were very enthusiastic and took good care of us! Including smooth transfers from and to our hotel.”

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11.River Safari with Hotel Pickup and Drop-Off

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 22 reviews · 2 hours · from $28

A 2-hour Bentota River boat safari with hotel pickup, mangroves, and wildlife spotting, including reptiles, birds, and calm river scenery.

“Balade sur la rivière très sympathique, bonne vue du batelier pour apercevoir varans serpents et bébé crocodile , prise en charge depuis l'hôtel impeccable.”

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12.Madu River Boat Tour and Cinnamon Garden visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 20 reviews · 1 day · from $29

Cruise Sri Lanka’s Madu River mangroves, spot crocodiles, visit a cinnamon island and ancient temple, with optional fish foot massage.

“The pickup was really chaotic, but we got there and it was really worth it! Don’t expect some great info from the guide - only some basic sentences and descriptions. Still it was quite nice!”

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13.Exclusive Madu River Safari & Turtle Hatchery

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 16 reviews · 5.5 hours · from $80

Madu Ganga boat safari and Kosgoda turtle hatchery from Kalutara, with cinnamon and Temple Islands in 5.5 hours.

“Many thanks for our guide , perfect driver, guide, knows srilanka community. Many thanks for our guide on the boat safari Okokokokokokokokokokokokoooooooookklllokk”

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14.Galle Day Trip – River Safari, Sea Turtle & Stilt Fishermen

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 16 reviews · 9 - 11 hours · from $80

Private south-coast day trip from Kotapola, with UNESCO Galle Fort, Bentota mangrove river safari, turtle conservation, and stilt fishermen.

“Great day out! Lots of stops at different places. We enjoyed everything especially the river safari. Thank you 😊”

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15.Exclusive Madu River Safari & Turtle Hatchery

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 13 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $65

A private half-day from Bentota: Madu Ganga wetlands by boat, Cinnamon and Temple Island, then Kosgoda turtle hatchery conservation.

“Wonderful experience! We were so well taken care of from start to finish. Madu River was absolutely beautiful, the Cinnamon Garden stop over was informative and enjoyable, and it was great to see the turtle hatchery. Definitely recommend!”

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