Exclusive: Muthurajawela Bird Watching Tour with Transfers
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
This tour gives you an exciting experience by TukTuk complete with bird watching tour in Muthurajawela wetland, one of the main bird watching locations in Sri Lanka.There are many variates of flora and fauna that are interdependent in this coastal ecosystem. The name Muthurajawela has been derived from Sinhalese language which the majority of Sri Lankans use to communicate. The meaning can be translated in to English simply as “Swamp of Royal Treasure”. Treasures of kings in olden days are believed to be buried in that area. Muthurajawela Marsh is situated towards the southern part of Negombo.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Comfortable shoes are recommended
Hotel pickup & drop off can also be arranged outside of Negombo depending on your location (additional charge may apply)
What To Expect
Muthurajawela Marsh
You will be picked up from your hotel in Negombo for a tour riding a TukTuk to Muthurajawela Wetland, and a bird watching tour by boat. Your TukTuk is a very typical form of public transport, part of the everyday street scene. On the TukTuk, you can sit and stretch out, protected from the sun, and rain, and with a great breeze. You will soon arrive at Muturajawela wetland marine sanctuary, famous for its mangroves, salt water crocodiles and avi fauna. You will take a boat ride through the vast Negombo lagoon. Extending over 6,000 acres and over 29,000, and rumored to provide home to over 40 species of migratory and 85 indigenous bird species. Mangrove forests that line the footpath are great places to observe birds as well as baby crocodiles and fiddler crabs. On completion of this visit, your TukTuk rider will take you back to the hotel.
Options
Pickup from Negombo
Pickup from Negombo Hotels Pickup included
Pickup from Colombo
Pickup from Colombo Hotels Pickup included
Pickup from Waikkal
Pick up and Drop off by TukTuk: This tour gives your a memorable experience with a TukTuk ride from your hotel in Waikkal to Muthurajawela Wetland where you can proceed with bird watching tour by a boat. Pickup included
What‘s Included
Light refreshments
Local guide
Cost of the boat
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Pickup and drop-off by TukTuk
Gratuities
Any others expenses which are not mentioned on Price Includes section
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
18 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent birdwatching experience
connorl878,Apr 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Starting the tour in the Dutch canal, we saw many exciting species of birds, kingfishers, raptors, parrots and woodpeckers. Lots of monitor lizards and after getting out into the lagoon, water birds aplenty and monkeys in the trees. Highly recommended for any birdwatchers or nature lovers!
Great wildlife
PipPaul,Apr 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We really enjoyed this trip. We were collected, on time, from our Negombo hotel - a bit of a bumpy trip but direct and safe. The guide was good and we saw a lot of different birds, incl kingfishers, some monkeys, water monitors. Part way through we moored up and some packet snacks and drink were provided. Improvements? A pre- printed identification sheet would be useful, especially for children
Fab trip! Exceeded expectations
SarahClare C,Feb 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I just had a quick stop in Negombo after flying in to Colombo. I was picked up on time by a lovely driver. This was a relaxing tour after a long day travelling. I only really wanted a boat trip and thought seeing some birds would be nice. We actually saw baby crocodiles and lots of monkeys too. Fab first day in Sri Lanka. The guide was very knowledgeable too.
Worth getting up early to...
Joanna B,Feb 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Worth getting up early to catch the birds and in a very pleasant temperature May like to take something soft to sit on as the boat seats are very hard Very knowledgeable guide
Wonderful way to spend a few hours viewing birds and other wildlife along the wetlands of Negombo.
892lewish,Jan 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful boat trip through some backwaters near Negombo. From the meeting place on the old canal we headed slowly up the canal, stopping frequently to take photos of the varied wildlife. We continued into the lagoon for a shoreline route viewing many types of birds. I am not an experienced birder but our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful explaining the many different species.
Enjoyable trip - many birds
Stay37194054472,Dec 26, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really enjoyed it. The Tuk-tuk driver arrived on time and was helpful. He told me about some of the sights we passed and on the way back stopped at a beach to see waves hitting some rocks. The guide for the boat tour was very informative and we saw many different birds, and also large water monitors and land monitors. The listing says "light refreshments" but those were not included for my trip.
5* birdwatching trip - all expectations exceeded!
742harrietp,Oct 27, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I can't recommend this enough - as an avid birdwatcher I was looking forward to seeing some Sri Lankan avifauna. Aruna was so knowledgeable, helpful, and also spoke fantastic English. You could tell he had such a passion for nature and deep knowledge that he wanted to share. I didn't bring binoculars with me but I didn't feel like I needed them given the birds I saw were mostly in flight and the mangroves were very dense. I was expecting to see 5 or so different species, but in the end I counted 27 (and water monitors and monkeys too). The wetlands are vast and the boat was absolutely necessary for getting around some of the quieter parts. Even for non-birdwatchers this could be a lovely calm break in peaceful surroundings!
Enjoyable but a little expensive
David C,Feb 16, 2024
- Review from Viator
4.00Prompt pick up from hotel. Early start is required to ensure best chance of seeing as many birds as possible. Also need to negotiate local traffic. Well informed guide and observant boat skipper made the trip all the better.
Great intro to Sri Lankan wildlife
23alixd,Feb 7, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My guide, Nirmala, was fantastic, really knowledgeable and friendly. We saw 20 kinds of birds plus macau, water monitors and a baby crocodile in just two hours! It was also simply a nice way to spend a morning.
Relaxing bird watching
Lueez,Feb 3, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were picked up in time at our hotel with a Tuk-Tuk and enjoyed the ride trough authentic residential districts leaving the crowded tourist spots of Negombo behind. Once on the boat we were busy looking for birds, monkeys and water monitors. Thanks to our guide we discovered at least 15 different bird species. Bring a good camera to get some incredible pictures. If you're not keen of a demanding photo safari you can simply sit, relax and enjoy the boat ride trough the mangroves. Either way we felt like it's a great, highly recommendable trip you shouldn't miss while staying at Negombo.
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