Sri Lanka · SAFARIS IN BENTOTA
The good safaris in Bentota go early and the great ones go earlier. Below: the 14 to lock in before you fly, what each includes and how they differ.
Cruise Bentota River through mangroves with an English-speaking guide, spotting crocodiles, monkeys, monitors, bats, and colorful birds.
“Loved this activity today. Great communication beforehand, transport provided was clearly communicated. Captain on boat was a super lovely and informative. would recommend.”
Cruise Bentota River by private boat for mangroves, monkeys, crocodiles, birds, a king coconut, and hotel pickup for $32.35.
“A fantastic private boat tour with an excellent guide who helped spot monkeys, crocodiles, snakes, and diverse birdlife. Enjoyed the refreshing coconut water along the way—highly recommended!”
Review of Udawalawe safari from Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, with elephants, a private jeep, lunch, hotel pickup, and practical booking advice.
“Really nice! Everything was as advertised, we've seen more than a dozen elephants, deer, peacocks, crocodiles and more :) The transport to and from the hotel was very pleasant and i really enjoyed the lunch (especially the papadam). One thing I'd recommend to keep in mind is that the safari is quite long, so do get some rest before it!”
Spend a full day from Bentota to Galle with a mangrove safari, turtle center, mask carving, tsunami museum, Dutch Fort, and stilt fishermen.
“A lovely trip for the whole day and Lahir from Bentota travel what a lovely guy. Temple; boat trip fishing from stilts good company to book through.”
Review of the Yala safari from Bentota, Kalutara, and Hikkaduwa, with leopard sightings, private transport, lunch, costs, timing, and practical tips.
“Lots of apparent random driving with no sharing of sightings with other drivers Dis not see a massive amount of animals - no leopards”
Review the Madu River boat safari near Bentota, with mangroves, wildlife, a Buddhist island temple, cinnamon, and fish foot massage.
Review of Yala National Park’s private safari day trip, with leopard sightings, hotel pickup, four-hour jeep drive, costs, tips, and drawbacks.
“Our Guide (Ashwin) was very good, but the safari jeep driver was a very erratic driver and was just racing aroubd. We saw elephants from a distance. The leopards were surrounded by numerous vehicles that we didn't get to see. we saw almost nothing else apart from birds and a a bit let down for the cost of this safaricouple of monkeys. I feel that”
Review of the $100 Yala and Udawalawe safari from Bentota, with wildlife, transport, lunch, timing, park fees, and Elephant Transit Home advice.
“Absolutely amazing experience and certainly worth the money. The private transfer was comfortable and had air conditioning which was nice. The driver was very polite. The tours were exceptional with our tour guide/ jeep driver being Read more”
Cruise Bentota River’s mangroves by private boat, spot crocodiles, snakes, birds and bats, and enjoy hotel pickup for $28.
“Balade sur la rivière très sympathique, bonne vue du batelier pour apercevoir varans serpents et bébé crocodile , prise en charge depuis l'hôtel impeccable.”
Explore Bentota by private tuk-tuk, visiting an ancient temple, cinnamon and rubber makers, and a turtle conservation center at sunset.
“Shiran our guide was simply the best he took us on a 3 hour tour of Bentota and we saw life as it really is. We saw rope made from the coconut shells, the rubber tree cut for the milk, cinnamon being stripped for drying,,so many different fruiRead more”
A private half-day from Kalutara to Madu Ganga wetlands, Cinnamon and Temple Islands, plus a Kosgoda turtle hatchery visit.
“Many thanks for our guide , perfect driver, guide, knows srilanka community. Many thanks for our guide on the boat safari Okokokokokokokokokokokokoooooooookklllokk”
A private Yala safari from Bentota with hotel pickup, a four-hour Jeep drive, park fees, bottled water, and chances to see leopards and elephants.
“I am very pleased I booked by Yala day safari with Shiran. I was picked up from my accommodation and travelled to Yala in a decent vehicle with a great driver. The safari experience was great, the guide was very good indeed.”
Review of a private Sri Lanka day tour from Kalutara with a Bentota river safari, tea plantation, turtle project, lunch, and Galle Fort.
“Fantastic day. We went on the 4am visit but the early start was worth it. We saw monkeys, elephants, lots of different types of birds, deer and water lizards. Amazing lunch.”
Review of the Bentota to Yala safari: wildlife, guides, costs, rough roads, long travel time, and what to expect in a 4x4 jeep.
“The safari excursion was good but I'm afraid it might become too touristy. Lots of 4x4s and lots of noise... On the other hand, I drove back and forth between Yala and Bentota in the day with a young professional, Yasith, who was kind and it was nice to be able to talk with him because it's a long road in one day. I thank him very much and I will keep a beautiful memory of it. 🙏🏻”
Pick a park, a ruin, a kitchen or a stretch of coast.
