LANKA EXCURSIONS HOLIDAYS
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Muthurajawela wetlands - boat safaris in the Negombo Lagoon

Grey heron in Negombo Lagoon at Muthurajawela wetlands
Muthurajawela is a mangrove swamp at the southern end of the Negombo lagoon. Boat safaris in the Muthurajawela wetlands are a major attraction for holiday makers in Negombo. Numerous bird species can be observed. Crocodiles occur and large water monitors are seen quite frequently.

Muthurajawela is a mangrove swamp at the southern end of the Negombo lagoon. Boat safaris in the Muthurajawela wetlands are a major attraction for holiday makers in Negombo. Numerous bird species can be observed. Crocodiles occus and large water monitors are seen quite frequently.

The marsh and of Muthurajawela is a sanctuary situated very close to Colombo International Airport, about 30 km north of Colombo city. The protected area covers approximately 6,000 hectares, inclusive of the southern part of Negombo lagoon, which covers 30 square kilometers. Though not covering a very large area, the mangrove swamp of Muthurajawela is Sri Lanka’s largest saline coastal peat-bog. Amidst the otherwise densely populated west of the island, Muthurajwela is a surprisingly untouched coastal ecosystem.

Name and Legend of the Muthurajawela Marshland

Many guests have difficulties to pronounce this Sinhalese name “Muthurajawela” as it seems to be endlessly long. But remembering it is simple, it consists of three words “muthu” for “pearl”, “raja” for “king” and “wela” for “land”, each of these words is stressed on the first syllable. The “ra” of “Muthurajawela” is the most-stressed syllable of the word. You will pronounce the whole name correctly even if you only stress this “ra”.

The name “pearl-king-land” refers to a local legend of a perl treasure hidden here by a king. But we are not sure we will be able to show you those pearls.
Toque monkeys in Muthurajawela sanctuary
Purple Swamphen and cormorants in Muthurajawela

Biodiversity of the Muthurajawela wetlands

The amphibic landscape is an attraction in itself. It’s a transition zone between land and water and also between fresh water and open sea. The daily high tide brings in seawater from the ocean into the wetland. Continuous mixing of these two waters leaves a brackish ecosystem that is biologically diverse.

Muthurajawela is a refuge for water birds, migrant as well as breeding flocks, in this western part of Sri Lanka usually densely built over by the outskirts of Colombo. Thus, Muthurajawela wetlands are good for bird watching in particular. Bird species that can be seen here include egrets, purple herons, lesser whistling ducks, moorhens and four species of kingfishers.

Most visitors will not spot crocodiles here, but you have best chances to observe water monitors (Varanus salvator), which are of almost the same size as crocodiles. And you will certainly not miss the toque monkeys.

Muthurajawela harbours over 194 species of Flora distributed over 66 families of seven major vegetation types which includes marsh, lactic flora, shrub land, reed, swamp, grasslands, stream bank and mangrove forest. 15 amphibian species, 32 reptile species and 34 mammal species occur in this sanctuary. Sri Lanka’s largest snake, the Python, is native to this wetland sanctuary. Of the many species of birds, butterflies and fish some are endemic in Sri Lanka. Average annual prepipation in this northern part of Sri Lanka’s tropical wet zone is 2000-2500mm.
Water Monitor in Muthurajawela

Muthurajawela Expeditions are Boat Safaris

Muthurajawela is really worth a visit, particularly for those who spend their holidays in Negombo or have to stay a few days in the Colombo area. It is a good place to start your nature exploration in Sri Lanka after arriving at the nation’s most important airport.

The Muthurajawela sanctuary can be explored by boat rides only. The boat trip starts at the visitors center slightly further south, at a side road of the coastal road B596 in Walikatiya. The boat safari will lead you along the the historical Dutch Canal to the Negombo Lagoon and to the bordering mangroves and cross the river delta of the Attanagalla Oya forming the main part of the Muthurajawela swamp on the way back.
Dutch Cinnamon Canal at Muthurajawela wetlands
Jesus statue in the marshland of Muthurajawela
Mangrove swamp of Muthurajawela at Negombo Lagoon
Why travel with Lanka Excursions Holidays?

+ We are a local agency owned and run by Sri Lankans, not part of international holdings
+ We are well known for our direct and personal relationships with travellers 
+ We facilitate authentic meetings with locals who are not from the tourism sector 
  + We follow a strict policy not to push guests to visit shops and shops and shops
+ We have an unrivalled expertise to show you places off the beaten path
+ We provide genuine information instead of clichés and tourism industry slogans

Our ambition is to provide high-quality information in preparation of your Sri Lanka holidays
... and even more superb travel experiences

we also run our own guesthouse near Anuradhapura:
First House Mihintale
First House Mihintale
87, Missaka Mawatha, Mihintale 50300, Sri Lanka.
0094 71 6097795
Rooms in Mihintale

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Registration Number SLTDA/SQA/TA/02179
255/24, "Green Park" Dawatagahawatta, Thimbirigaskatuwa, Mahahunupitiya East, Negombo, Sri Lanka
Office: +94 31 223 991
Hotline: +94 71 6097795
lankaexcursionsholidays@gmail.com

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if not stated otherwise, texts and photos provided  by Ernst A. Sundermann, sales manager of Lanka Excursions Holidays
all rights reserved, © 2016 Lanka Excursion Holidays
  • Home
    • Welcome
    • Terms
    • payments
    • по-русски
  • About
  • Info
    • Where is Sri Lanka
    • Names of Sri Lanka
    • Travel Regions >
      • Cultural Triangle images
      • Central Highlands images
      • Western Plains images
      • Southwest Wet Zone images
      • Deep South images
      • Eastern Shores images
      • Northern Province images
    • Sri Lanka off the beaten path >
      • highly recommended
      • around Colombo
      • around Yapahuwa
      • around Anuradhapura
      • around Jaffna
      • around Trincomalee
      • around Polonnaruwa
      • around Sigiriya
      • around Kandy
      • around Nuwara Eliya
      • around Arugam Bay
      • around Hambantota
      • around Bentota
      • all over Sri Lanka
    • Things to do
    • Slide Show >
      • Famous Places Slide Show
      • Less-known Sites Slide Show
    • Directory
  • Tours
    • 4-days classic
    • 8 days tour
    • 4 weeks honeymoon tour
    • your-price-choice
    • 3 days 2 nights
    • 4 days 3 nights
    • Sri Lanka Transport Service
    • 7 days with 4 hikes
    • 10 days with 7 hikes
    • 2-days trek Knuckles-5-Peaks
    • 15 days with 7 means of travel
    • Bentota beach holidays
    • Nilaveli beach holidays
    • Services >
      • Outdoor Anuradhapura
    • Tripadvisor
    • Cambodia
    • Nepal
    • deutsch >
      • 15 days with 3 surf beaches
  • Mihintale
    • Mihintale attractions
    • Guesthouse Rooms
    • Rent my Villa
    • Activities around Mihintale
    • Picnic at Kaludiya Pokuna
    • car
    • Day trips by car
    • Mihintale-sightseeing
    • Hiking in Mihintale
  • Culture
    • Food >
      • Rice
      • Breakfast
      • Kottu Roti
      • Pasta Sri Lanka style
      • Rice Noodles Sri Lanka style
      • Egg-fried rice Sri Lanka style
    • Tea
    • Ayurveda
  • Destinations
    • World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka >
      • Anuradhapura World Heritage Site
      • Polonnaruwa World Heritage Site
      • Sigiriya World Heritage Site
      • Dambulla World Heritage Site
      • Kandy Sacred City
      • Galle Fort
    • Cities of Sri Lanka >
      • Colombo
      • Nuwara Eliya
      • Trincomalee
      • Ratnapura
      • Batticaloa
      • Kurunegala
      • Matale
      • Kalutara
      • Tangalle
      • Hambantota
      • Puttalam
      • Chilaw
      • Matara
      • Avissawella
      • Badulla
      • Tissamaharama
      • Kalmunai
      • Embilipitiya
      • Habarana
      • Kilinochchi
      • Pottuvil
      • Giritale
    • Sacred Places >
      • Kataragama
      • Mahiyangana
      • Seruwila
      • Somawathiya
      • Sita Eliya
      • Maha Saman Devale
      • Kelaniya
      • Munneshvaram
      • Kanniyai
      • Manavari
      • Adisham Hall
      • Madampe
      • Seenigama
      • Divurumpola
    • Ancient Temples >
      • Ritigala
      • Thiriyai
      • Yapahuwa
      • Haththikuchchi
      • Velgam Vehera
      • Medirigiriya
      • Sithulpahuwa
      • Pidurangala
      • Nalanda
      • Mulkirigala
      • Panduwasnuwara
      • Padeniya
      • Padavigampola
      • Namal Uyana
      • Arankale
      • Menikdena
      • Manakanda
      • Nillakgama Bodhigara
      • Panavitiya
      • Gadaladeniya Temple near Kandy
      • Lankatilaka
      • Embekke
      • Lahugala
      • Kudumbigala
      • Hanguranketa
      • Dambadeniya
      • Kiralagala
      • Kalupokuna
      • Degaldoruwa
      • Ramba Vihara
      • Medawala
      • Dadagamuwa
      • Buddhangala
      • Dematamal Viharaya
      • Pilikuttuwa
      • Dodanwela
      • Dimbulagala
      • Beligala
      • Bogoda
      • Barandiya Kovil
      • Kokabe
      • Divulwewa
      • Madagama
      • Pettagangala
      • Isenbessagala
      • Kuruwita
      • Koskandawala
      • Attanagalla
      • Alawwa
      • Awariyawala
      • Karagahagedara
    • Historical Caves >
      • Ridigama
      • Salgala
      • Veheragala
      • Wavulpone
      • Sankapala
      • Varana
      • Aluvihara
      • Anamaduwa
      • Aluthepola
      • Maligatenna
      • Divaguhawa
      • Batadomba Lena
      • Beli Lena
      • Pahiyangala
      • Maradankadawala
      • Wilandagoda
    • Giant Stupas >
      • Yudaganawa
      • Dedigama
      • Dighavapi
    • Rock Buddha statues >
      • Gal Vihara
      • Aukana Buddha
      • Sasseruwa Buddha
      • Buduruwagala
      • Dowa
      • Maligawila
      • Ramboda
      • Kushtaraja Statue
      • Thanthirimale
      • Bakamuna
      • Maboda Temple
    • Mountains >
      • Adam's Peak
      • Horton Plains
      • Hunnasgiriya
      • Pidurutalagala
      • Knuckles Range
      • Sinharaja
      • Haputale
      • Ella
      • Namunukula
      • Deanston
      • Ambuluwawa
      • Bible Rock
      • Medamahanuwara
      • Hakgala
      • Kadugannawa
      • Uda Pussellawa
      • Passara
      • Retiyagama
      • Victoria Lake
    • Waterfalls >
      • Bambarakanda Falls
      • Diyaluma Falls
      • Dunhinda Falls
      • St. Clair's Falls
      • Devon Falls
      • Bopath Falls
      • Dodam Falls
      • Mannakethi Falls
      • Aberdeen Falls
      • Lakshapana
      • Kirindi Falls
      • Bambarakiri Falls
      • Ravana Falls
      • Hunas Falls
    • National Parks >
      • Yala NP
      • Wilpattu NP
      • Maduru Oya NP
      • Gal Oya NP
      • Udawalawe NP
      • Minneriya NP
      • Kaudulla NP
      • Kumana NP
      • Bundala NP
      • Ussangoda
      • leopards
    • Activity Attractions >
      • Kandy Perahera 2023
      • Kithulgala
      • Pinnawela
      • Madu Ganga
      • Muthurajawela
      • Meetiyagoda
      • Rekawa
      • Induruwa
      • Brief Garden
      • Lunuganga
      • Gampaha
      • Kanneliya
      • Bodhinagala
      • Mahapalessa Hot Springs
      • Thoppigala
      • Rufus Kulam
      • Wewurukannala
      • Kalawewa
      • Kandalama
    • Beaches >
      • Beruwela
      • Bentota Beach
      • Balapitiya
      • Ambalangoda
      • Hikkaduwa
      • Unawatuna
      • Weligama
      • Mirissa
      • Dondra
      • Hiriketiya
      • Hoomaniya Blowhole
      • Kirinda
      • Okanda
      • Arugam Bay
      • Thirukkovil
      • Pasikuda
      • Thennadi Bay
      • Nilaveli Beach
      • Pulmoddai
      • Mannar Island
      • Kalpitiya Peninsula
      • Marawila
      • Negombo
    • Jaffna Peninsula >
      • Jaffna
      • Nallur
      • Kandarodai
      • Nilavarai
      • Point Pedro
      • Manalkadu
      • Naguleshvaram
      • Jambukola
      • Nainativu
      • Delft Island
      • Elephant Pass
    • top 20 attractions >
      • top 20 in Colombo
      • top 20 in Kandy
    • Sri Lanka off the beaten track
  • Blog
  • Reviews
    • Reviews since 2020
    • Tripadvisor Reviews
    • Reviews 2015-2020
    • instagram
  • Contact