Sprawled along the west coast of Sri Lanka, is the charming beach town called Negombo. There are many wondrous sites for you to see here, but if you’re a nature lover, then to the Negombo Lagoon must you go!
Fed by a canal and a number of small rivers, the Negombo Lagoon is a vast estuarine lagoon home to a wide array of wildlife. The lagoon lies adjacent to the Muthurajawela Wetland which is the island’s largest peat bog. Together, the lagoon and the wetland create an ecosystem rich in biodiversity. So if you’re planning a visit to the lagoon what should you do? Tourists, who come to see the lagoon and other Negombo attractions, start by picking a hotel like the Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions that is located in close proximity to the lagoon. Next, head over to the Muthurajawela Visitor Centre where you will be able to book a boat safari that will take you across the wetlands and the lagoon within one and a half to two hour’s time. A boat safari will cost Rs. 350 (2.31 USD) for a local and Rs. 1,100 (7.25 USD) for a foreigner.
The extensive mangrove swamps in the Negombo Lagoon attracts many species of water birds which as a result attracts many birdwatchers as well. Some of the noteworthy species include herons, cormorants, terns, gulls, egrets and the pied kingfisher. According to records, there is a staggering amount of 140 species of fish, 192 plant species, 14 species of amphibians, 31 species of reptiles, 102 species of birds and 22 species of mammals living in the region.
Some of the most notable residents of the Negombo Lagoon and the nearby Muthurajawela Wetland include the rare Grey Slender Loris, huge water monitors, and ferocious Eurasian crocodiles.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+
