Enjoy a boat ride at Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary for bird watching
Being Sri Lanka’s oldest and greatest bird sanctuary, Kalametiya is a secluded wetland situated 30 minutes away from the town of Tangalle, which is a fascinating place for bird watching enthusiasts and nature lovers. The sanctuary covers an extensive area of brackish lagoons, mangrove swamps, open grassy areas and plains, the perfect grounds for over 150 bird species, including endemic and migratory birds. A boat ride through the sanctuary, which takes up 2.5 – 3 hours in whole, can afford best chances to spot some of the sought after bird species such as glossy ibis, Indian reef heron, jungle fowl, watercock, and slaty breasted crake. Open-billed storks, pelicans, shorebirds, migratory ducks are often seen at an impressive frequency. Visitors are recommended to visit in the early hours of the morning for the best experience. In addition to the bird life, expect to see over 20 species of mammals and 38 species of reptiles residing within the sanctuary.
