The 15 Best Safaris in Bentota

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.Udawalawe Safari DayTrip frm Bentota/Kalutara/Ahungalla/Hikkaduwa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · from $200

Udawalawe safari day trip from Bentota with a private jeep ride, Elephant Transit Home visit, lunch and pickup included, starting as early as 4am.

“Seeing young orphan elephants being fed at the transit camp was very moving. This was followed by wild adults walking within a metre or so from our jeep on the safari! An astonishing experience all round. Many thanks again to Sam at Bentota Travel and our very professional driver and companion Janith.”

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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.Yala Safari Day Trip from Bentota/ Kalutara/ Ahungalla/ Hikkaduwa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $200

A full-day Yala National Park jeep safari from Bentota with early or afternoon pickup, lunch, water, and park fees included.

“Lots of apparent random driving with no sharing of sightings with other drivers Dis not see a massive amount of animals - no leopards”

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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.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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9.Yala National Park: All Inclusive Private Safari Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 39 reviews · 1 day · from $140

Private Yala safari with hotel pickup, 4 hours in the park, and Sri Lankan lunch, timed for morning or evening wildlife spotting.

“had a good guide and was able to see lots of animals including Leopard and bear.”

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10.VALUE PACK! One Day Safari Tour to Yala and Udawalawa Parks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · from $100

One day safari from Bentota to Yala and Udawalawe with picnic lunch, 4x4 game drives, and Elephant Transit Home stop.

“Was heel tof ! Yala niet super veel dieren gezien. Maar bij Udawalawe heel veel olifanten van dichtbij gezien. Onze gids was ook een lieve en attent volle man.”

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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.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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13.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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14.Private Udawalawe Safari Tour with Elephant Transit Home

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $172

Private Udawalawe safari from Bentota with Elephant Transit Home, A/C pickup, 3-hour jeep ride, and included park and entrance fees.

“Tony was excellent, very knowledgeable and explained everything perfectly. A trip not to be missed. As we English say…perfect. Thank you for a memorable experience”

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15.Bentota River Boat Safari with Private Boat Beruwala/Bentota/Kosgoda/Ahungalla

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $62

Private Bentota river boat safari for mangroves and wildlife, with hotel pickup, bottled water, and a crafts stop.

“Excellent service the herb garden was interesting and the massage was an unexpected surprise. Thoroughly recommend this trip”

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