Bentota River Safari and Mangroves Exploration
My eyes lit up like fireworks in the night sky when I heard about Bentota Mangroves and the chance to go on a water forest trip in Sri Lanka’s renowned capital for water sports. Of course, I couldn’t say no to such an adventure! I was relieved to find out that Bentota River Safari covers the entire west coast with a boat that sails through Lanka’s beautiful, emerald blue waters. Now that’s what I call a journey! On this day, I decided to do something a bit out of the ordinary and take a rafting trip down one of Sri Lanka’s incredible rivers that flow into the Indian Ocean.
Sure, it may not be an ordinary tourist route, but why not take a chance and see the country in a new light? As luck would have it, River Safari was conveniently located near my next hotel in Taj Bentota, so off I went! Excitingly, we bolted out of Galle in the early morning hours, determined to make it to the river safari before lunch! What a treat it was to take in the coastal countryside as we wound our way along the palm-fringed, criss-cross roads, the sound of the crashing sea waves slowly fading into the distance. After an hour and a half, we arrived at the River Safari spot, adventure awaiting!
As we arrived at the Bentota River Safari Venue, we were delighted by its charmingly rustic decor and the warm breeze that greeted us. We had to first be seated at the in-complex checkpoint before we could be transported to the boat pick-up point. On the one side of the checkpoint, there were life jackets and plastic chairs, and on the other, there was a cosy, hut-like lobby. However, the real treat was the remarkable natural scenery that surrounded us and immediately calmed and relaxed us.
After what seemed like an eternity, one of the staff members finally approached me and gestured for me to don a life jacket. I could tell from his expression that he was as eager to get on the boat as I was. I nervously stepped onto the wooden bridge, my eyes glued to the ground to avoid taking an unexpected dip. Fortunately, with the helmsman’s guidance, we were able to board the small motorboat with relative ease. Phew!
The engine roared like a thunderous roar, as the six of us took our seats. Finally, we sailed away from the quaint harbour and into a river that stretched out further and further. The riverside and views were nothing short of breathtaking and were filled with the sight of numerous beautiful birds. To top it off, our helmsman would occasionally interject with a witty remark, such as, “Bend your head, we’re approaching a bridge!”
It was a short journey, but one that felt like travelling through a tunnel – only instead of a dark, dreary corridor, we had the undisturbed beauty of a tranquil riverine unfolding before us. We beheld the village market, cormorants sunbathing, riverside homes, and trees that seemed to grow out of the Bentota River itself! At one point, the helmsman even turned off the motorboat engine, so that we could take in the sheer serenity of the place in all its glory. Ah, what a delightful experience it was!
He then steered us closer to the riverbank, and there it was – a sun-soaked water monitor lizard perched on a tree branch. Our voyage through the Bentota River was taking us back in time; it was once teeming with crocodiles during the colonial era, and today, there are still plenty of monkeys around. Before long, a local appeared and proudly showed off his young Purple-faced leaf monkey – it was a brief but memorable pause in our sailing journey. I just couldn’t resist the urge to pet the innocent little monkey!
Tourists visiting the river are often surprised by the local tradition of capturing young crocodiles and monkeys, before eventually releasing them into the wild after a few months. Of course, the lake’s centre is teeming with natural beauty, too! It’s like a wonderland of small islands, stretching as far as the eye can see. I stumbled upon a River store that had golden Sri Lankan King Coconuts, pineapples and more! Next time I’m out and about, I’m heading back there to do some shopping. Who knows what exotic goodies I’ll find?
Our guide and Thushara from Sri Lanka Tourism Board took us to a quaint riverside shop for a tea break after an hour of navigating the Bentota River. We savoured a delectable cup of hot cinnamon tea here while the shop owner, an adept craftsman, showed off his impressive weaving skills with leaves and gave us a fascinating demonstration of how decorative items were made. This enchanting experience lasted a mere thirty minutes but was certainly worth it!
After meandering through the lush terrain, we made our way to the most enchanting part of the journey: the mystical mangroves of the south. On our way, we passed a mysterious temple that was said to sit upon a meditation island. The Bentota River Safari took us through many unexpected turns with my camera lens acting like a March hare, snapping pictures of the captivating water temple, the colossal Buddha statue, and the diverse species of birds.
As we sailed along, I knew I had to capture every moment of magic on film. The motorboat soon brought us to a coastal swamp, home to one of the oldest salt-tolerant forests on the planet. This ecosystem lives and breathes, thanks to these intricate kingdoms of intertwining roots and shrubs. As we ventured closer, I couldn’t help but admire a striking mangrove whose twisted roots seemed to be crafted into a charming arch.
The guide shouted ‘duck!’, and it felt like we were gliding through a secret passageway. Rays of sunlight caressed my face as we continued our journey. I gazed up at the expansive canopy, which had been transformed into a dazzling spectacle of sunlight and shadows. I couldn’t help but marvel at the magical view of the mangrove forests that nurtured the seagrass beds and coral reefs. We zipped out of the Mangroves’ arching arms and were soon back on the river. But those roots aren’t just for show: they’re your best defence against unexpected storms, Tsunamis, and coastal erosion.
Thanks to their stabilizing power, your shoreline will stay put no matter what. As we sailed up the river, I noticed a plethora of tourists canoeing along the banks. Paddling your way into the mangroves is the perfect way to savour its tranquil beauty. Not only do you help to promote ecotourism, but you also help to preserve its peaceful atmosphere – an absolute must when visiting the majestic Bentota Mangrove. Trust me – it’s by far the greatest water forest experience I’ve ever had! As we crossed the ancient railway bridge, the old and new road bridges, and the River Safari came to a close.
On our way back, I couldn’t help but notice a couple of billboards advertising what I assumed to be fish therapy. Upon taking a panoramic view of the riverside, several boathouses and riverside restaurants were spotted. For the brave and the daring, Bentota beckoned! A 3-hour round trip of river-based thrills and spills was waiting for a select few willing to take on the challenge. Jet Skiing, river rafting and other aquatic adventures were the order of the day. And, for the price of just $50 for adults and $25 for children, it was an adventure of a lifetime! So if you’re feeling up for the challenge, head to Bentota and experience the river-ride of your life!
