Bentota River
Bentota River
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Top ways to experience Bentota River
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
120 within 3 miles
Attractions
27 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- chris garnerBournemouth, United Kingdom14 contributionsGreat Boat tripAn excellent river boat trip. We saw an array of wildlife and found it very good value for money. The young tour guide was very informative. We saw monkeys and baby crocodiles … although touristy, it was very enjoyable. Highly recommend !Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 27, 2024
- BennettbrianHebburn, United Kingdom2,989 contributionsBoat River SafariIf you are in the Bentota area it is a worthwhile doing a river safari with one of the many, companies providing the tours. The tour we took lasted around an hour and a half and we were lucky enough to see, a couple of small crocodiles, fruit bats roosting in the trees, fish eagles, monitor lizards and also got to feed some monkeys, which was the highlight. The trip along the river was entertaining and also took in the mangroves. It was also good to see the white Buddha statues on the banks of the river. A pleasant worthwhile trip.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 29, 2024
- Сарюна Б8 contributionsSafari river Bentota with SamanVisited river safari with Saman +94 77 482 7936 Very kind and cool driver with good eye. He saw a chameleon from the river, and we couldn't see it right in front of us 😂 we saw crocodile, monitor lizard, winged, cormorant, eagle and we touched little crocodile. And the most interesting part was when we fed monkeys that lived there on trees! Highly recommend Saman servicesVisited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 31, 2024
- A K1 contributionGreat boat safari with the coolest guide Saman!Yesterday we went on a really cool boat safari with Saman (mobile +94 77 482 7936)! He knows the best spots to see various animals: from white-bearded langurs to crocodiles, monitor lizards, kingfishers and even chameleons - and was able to tell us lots of interesting facts about the animals. Definitely recommended if you are in the region!Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 5, 2024
- Charith D1 contributionExcellentWe had an excellent experience with Saman +94 774827936 as our boat driver. His professionalism, skill, and friendly demeanor made our trip truly enjoyable. He was knowledgeable about the local area and ensured our safety and comfort throughout the journey. Saman's attentive service and positive attitude made the day memorable, and we would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a great boating experience.Visited September 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 6, 2024
- Judith G9 contributionsAmazing river tour with Saman!Amazing river tour with Saman! My friend and I can absolutely recommend this trip. We’ve seen plenty animals on the way, had lots of fun with our guide and enjoyed the early morning boat trip. You can experience the sun rise, see crocodiles, snakes and if you’re lucky you’ll even get to feed wild monkeys 😍. Saman has been beyond wonderful, we had a lot to laugh and felt very comfortable. His cell phone number is: +94 77 482 7936 Thanks again for the great day ✨😊 Love, Ilona & JudithVisited September 2024Traveled with friendsWritten September 26, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
475 reviews
Excellent
249
Very good
149
Average
54
Poor
14
Terrible
9
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
dianedinky
Dunfermline, UK1,347 contributions
Jan 2020
I'd been on a mangrove cruise near Sigiriya already so wasn't expecting much from this, but how wrong I was! This was a million times better! We saw loads of native animals and birds and had an excellent rower guide who somehow spotted creatures lurking in the darkest of swap areas and took us over. It was an awesome experience and extremely picturesque. It was also not crowded (I only saw one other boat out) so you got peace to see all the wildlife and not disturb it with crowds.
I highly recommend this safari river cruise.
I highly recommend this safari river cruise.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keithY651
London, UK414 contributions
Jan 2020
If you are in Bentota for very little money you can get an insight into the river and some of the wildlife right on your doorstep. We saw kingfishers, a monitor sleeping in a tree, baby crocs, eagles, more than we have ever seen. You get taken right into the mangroves and it is really excellent. You see a few interesting buildings along the way too. Finally our driver hit a large tree and this caused hundreds of bats to leave and fly around. Amazing. The cost was about $15 for the boat for 2.5 hours.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vikram Sharma
New Delhi, India5 contributions
Mar 2020
We went on a boat safari at Bentota River. It was a 2 hour safari. It was all toghether a different experience. They charged something like 4,000 LKR for 2 people in a private boat.
On the way we saw few Water monitor lizards in their natural habitat, Crocodiles, Monkeys, Kingfisher etc. The path was adventurous. On the way one can also get a picture with a baby crocodile.
On the way we saw few Water monitor lizards in their natural habitat, Crocodiles, Monkeys, Kingfisher etc. The path was adventurous. On the way one can also get a picture with a baby crocodile.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Андрей Е
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Couples
We have been looking for a river safari for a long time, which is good price/quality. We found the number +94774827936 based on reviews, contacted us and lo and behold, for 2 people we got 6,000 rupees in 1.5 hours! The guide was good, we fed the monkeys, saw crocodiles, monitor lizards, an owl, and bats. We recommend booking in advance in the morning to see as much as possible (by 11am there are already a lot of boats and less wildlife). They offer to stop by the spice garden and take a photo with a small crocodile, but this is all for an additional fee. We asked not to go anywhere, and he didn’t mind. 1.5 hours was just enough to see everything
Written January 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
manish_the_traveller
Hisar, India61 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We visited the river mainly for water sports.
Enjoyed Jet Ski and other water sports at the river.
People come here boat ride also.
Water sports are expensive but simple boat ride is cheap.
Enjoyed Jet Ski and other water sports at the river.
People come here boat ride also.
Water sports are expensive but simple boat ride is cheap.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerd M
Shanghai, China350 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We took a boat trip for about an hour to see water molitors, crocodiles, monkeys, peacocks and a dead snail. The tour guide new where to go to see the animals and made it a relaxed experience... Just don’t look too close to the garbage everywhere between the mangrove trees.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
delhiwalaNewDelhi
new delhi274 contributions
Apr 2023
Most of the river tours are quite costly in Bentota, they charge as per numbers of passenger. LKR 12000 are the charges for one hour tour. The boat driver will explain all the things while running the boat. They will take you to the cinnamon island. The person incharge will welcome you with cinnamon tea. Show you how cinnamon is drive from the bark of the tree. They will offer you to taste the cinnamon stick. And will sell you also the same. But when you come back home, you will find the cinnamon is taste less and not good so beware.
Written April 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judith G
9 contributions
Sep 2024 • Friends
Amazing river tour with Saman! My friend and I can absolutely recommend this trip. We’ve seen plenty animals on the way, had lots of fun with our guide and enjoyed the early morning boat trip. You can experience the sun rise, see crocodiles, snakes and if you’re lucky you’ll even get to feed wild monkeys 😍. Saman has been beyond wonderful, we had a lot to laugh and felt very comfortable. His cell phone number is: +94 77 482 7936
Thanks again for the great day ✨😊 Love, Ilona & Judith
Thanks again for the great day ✨😊 Love, Ilona & Judith
Written September 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
知歩肥
17 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
We left early in the morning at 6:30. Due to the riverside hotel, we left the front of the hotel and cruised the big river for a while. I was excited to see the big Buddha and other things and meet crocodiles and eagles and crabs and bats and all kinds of animals. It was also fun to experience the lives of the local people, such as passing a fisherman when entering the deep jungle. It was also a valuable experience to be able to give bananas directly to a cute monkey! Our Guide Saman Lokukankanmge gave us flowers for our hair ornaments and it was a very kind and enjoyable cruise. Thank you very much.
Automatically translated
Written October 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
billy1950
Potton, UK84 contributions
Feb 2020
Booked privately for a 2 hour Safari. The guide was very knowledgeable and endeavoured to seek as many creatures as possible. We managed to see a baby crocodile plus eagles, chameleons, monitor lizards etc. A very enjoyable trip
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am looking for boat safari and activities with baby turtles on Jan 9th. Can I get the email address of travel agency? FYI, there are 3 adults and 2 kids.
Written December 23, 2019
Is there any cheap pricing good big boat available as we are 11 Adults and 1 child (5yrs) if not how many pax a normal boat occupy? whats per boat / per pax rate/tariff approx?
Written August 21, 2018
Hello, sorry I do not know answer to this question... however I think you will need 2 boats and you could negotiate the price...
Written August 24, 2018
kkn2018
Colombo, Sri Lanka
hi,
how to come bentota river from dehiwala.How to get board there and cost of board.can u please give some details
Written February 1, 2018
Hi!
Actually we went there from Bentota. We were staying at The surf Hotel. Our driver, we hired for the whole trip, recommended a tour company and arranged the trip for us. They charged 6500 ruppee for the whole family. The trip took about one and half hours.
Written February 9, 2018
Please share a contact details of some tour operators in SL.
Written October 26, 2017
Does anybody know the current rate for this tour river tour and duration ?
Thanks Shaun
Written January 7, 2017
Is there a best time of the day for optimum experience first tour of the day or last?
Written January 3, 2017
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