Reviews

As an Indian travel agent who regularly organizes Sri Lanka tours, I have had the opportunity to arrange birdwatching experiences at Kalametiya Lagoon Bird Sanctuary with the Wildlife Wonders Sri Lanka team on several occasions. Every time, they have delivered an excellent experience, and I can confidently say that they are one of the teams I highly recommend for birdwatching in this area.

What makes these tours truly special is the knowledge, passion, and friendliness of the guides. I would especially like to highly recommend Mahesh, who is an exceptionally knowledgeable birdwatching guide. His knowledge is not limited to Sri Lankan birds. I was genuinely impressed by how much he knows about birds from different parts of the world, their behaviour, identification, habitats, and many interesting facts that make the experience much more enjoyable.

Mahesh has a wonderful ability to explain things clearly and patiently, helping guests understand not only what bird they are seeing, but also why the bird behaves in a particular way. His passion for birds is obvious, and you can feel that he genuinely loves what he does.

The Kalametiya Lagoon Bird Sanctuary itself is a fantastic place for birdwatching, with beautiful lagoon scenery and a wonderful variety of birdlife. Combined with the professional and friendly service of Wildlife Wonders Sri Lanka, it makes for a memorable experience for both serious birdwatchers and visitors who are simply interested in nature.

As a travel professional, I am very careful about recommending tour operators to my guests, because their experience reflects directly on my service. I have no hesitation in recommending Wildlife Wonders Sri Lanka for birdwatching tours at Kalametiya Lagoon Bird Sanctuary. If you are planning a birdwatching experience in Sri Lanka, I strongly recommend spending time with these amazing guys, especially with knowledgeable guide Mahesh.

A truly enjoyable, educational, and memorable birdwatching experience.

Highly recommended! 🐦🌿

Our birdwatching tour at Kalametiya Lagoon Bird Sanctuary with the Wildlife Wonders Sri Lanka team was an unforgettable experience, and a big reason for that was our guide, Mahesh.

Mahesh is not just a guide, he has an incredible knowledge of birds and the Kalametiya ecosystem. Throughout the tour, he identified many different bird species quickly and explained their behaviour, habitats, feeding patterns and calls in a way that was easy and fascinating to understand. What impressed us most was his ability to point out birds that we would never have noticed ourselves.

He also explained the differences between male and female birds, which made the experience even more interesting. His knowledge clearly comes from genuine passion and years of experience with the birds and nature around Kalametiya Lagoon.

Mahesh was patient, friendly and very professional. He gave us plenty of time to observe and photograph the birds instead of rushing from one place to another. His enthusiasm made us more interested in every bird we saw.

The Wildlife Wonders Sri Lanka team were also excellent and welcoming throughout the tour. Kalametiya Lagoon is a beautiful and peaceful place, and experiencing it with such a knowledgeable guide made it truly special.

If you are visiting southern Sri Lanka and want to experience Kalametiya Lagoon birdwatching, we highly recommend asking for Mahesh as your guide. His exceptional bird knowledge, friendly personality and passion for wildlife can turn a simple boat trip into a truly memorable wildlife experience.

Highly recommended!

I knew many things about the wild animals . My tour is a nice memory in my life .

Wat een fantastische ochtend hadden wij met Wildlife wonders op de catamaran.

Mahesh was onze gids en we zijn nog maar net begonnen of hij heeft al 10 vogelsoorten genoemd, laten zien en 20 anderen soorten gehoord. Mahesh is de vriendelijkheid zelve. Bijna onopvallend bestuurt een zeer vriendelijke schipper de catamaran. Hij laat ons bijna geruisloos door het water gaan.

De combinatie van deze heren samen, maakt deze tocht fantastisch, want voor het eerst is het helemaal stil, geen tuktuks, jeeps, brommertjes, alleen het zachte geklots van water en de geluiden van vogels.

We zitten als gezin enorm te genieten van al het moois, de verhalen en alles wat zomaar over komt vliegen. Mahesh weet dan ook nog eens veel over vogels en herkent de geluiden die de vogels maken. Hij gebruikt een vogelboek om te laten zien welke vogel we horen en waar we dus naar op zoek zijn.

Naast rust is er ook humor en beheerst Mahesh de Engelse taal zo goed dat àlles uitstekend te volgen is. Kalametiya voelt heel ongerept. Het is een kalmerende setting. Zeker net zo speciaal als de safari’s vanuit een Jeep.

Ps. Ongelooflijk, maar er zitten geen muggen!

A beautiful early morning boat trip across the lagoon with a knowledgeable guide.

Very peaceful as the boat is a punt with no engine.

I thoroughly recommend it.

Our visit to Kalametiya Lagoon Bird Sanctuary turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. The surroundings felt fresh, peaceful, and beautifully maintained. Early in the morning, the lagoon comes alive with birds, creating a truly magical atmosphere. We were lucky to see a wide variety of bird species and even some wildlife along the shoreline. The boat safari was calm and well arranged, allowing us to fully enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed. It was clear that the team genuinely cares about preserving this special place. If you are looking for a quiet escape into nature, this is definitely worth your time.

Kalametiya Lagoon Bird Sanctuary and Wetland Park offers a calm and refreshing experience away from busy tourist areas. The lagoon is surrounded by lush greenery, and the peaceful setting makes it easy to relax and connect with nature. We spotted several bird species, including some beautiful migratory birds, which made the visit even more exciting. The catamaran ride through the wetlands was gentle and enjoyable, and our guide shared interesting facts in a friendly and easy to understand way. The area feels natural and untouched, which adds to its charm. It is a perfect place to slow down, breathe deeply, and appreciate the quiet beauty of Sri Lanka.

Safari au lever du jour. Moment inoubliable dans la lagune. Mahesh est un excellent guide qui nous a fait partager sa passion.

Vivement recommandé.

I’ve done the Kalametiya Lagoon catamaran tour with Wildlife Wonders Sri Lanka three times already, and each time has been just as magical. It’s peaceful, meditative, and filled with beautiful birdlife, a perfect way to start the day in nature.

Recently, I also tried the Lunama Lagoon kayaking tour, which was equally impressive. The scenery was stunning, and the amount of birds we saw this time was truly amazing, such a rich and vibrant ecosystem. Kayaking offered a different kind of connection to the landscape, more active but still very calming.

Everything is always well organized, the guides are knowledgeable and kind, and you can feel their genuine respect for nature.

If you’re in the area, don’t miss these tours, especially if you love birdwatching, peaceful waters, and meaningful nature experiences.

Totally amazing. This completely exceeded our expectations- the variety of birds coupled with Mahesh’s expert observations and knowledge made this an unforgettable experience. We loved spending time in such a beautiful , tranquil space with such an entertaining guide. Not to be missed!