This unique eco system that was believed to be originated more than 7000 years ago is the country’s largest peat bog. It is not widely known by the tourists and travelers but is a sanctuary for native species of birds, amphibians, butterflies and flora and fauna and lies along the southern end of the Nagambo lagoon. It covers an area of approximately 6000 hectares and the sea is linked to the river due to the daily high-tide.
How to get there
The muthurajawela marsh located in Negombo is around 40 minutes away from the Colombo City. It is an ideal place to visit if you’re holidaying in one of the many Negombo Hotels. At the Muthurajawela visitor center – which is next to the Hamilton Canal, visitors can arrange a two hour boat ride along with a guide through the marshland; nature lovers can organize private day tours as well as boat safaris by contacting the tour guides around the area.
Wildlife, flora and fauna
From birds such as Herons, Egrets, Cormorants and Kingfishers to marine species such as Red Snapper, Glass fish and Tarpon, there are over 100 birds and 40 species of fish where few of them are even endemic species along with over 190 species of flora and fauna distributed along the marsh. Having a mixture of vegetation and aquatic habitats has made it an ideal place for a variety of animals and birds. Muthurajawela is a true nature lover’s paradise.
Accommodation
Negombo offers a variety of different accommodation types, from the adventure seekers to the pleasure seekers. A range of hotels in Negombo offer luxury accommodation such as Heritance Negombo and the Jetwing Hotels in the area to name a few. There are also villas and resorts which offer a more laid back experience as well as accommodation for the budget travelers.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+