Talangama Wetland
Talangama Wetland
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4.0
50 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
15
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Pete M
Chicago Southland, IL149 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
This wetland is a gem in the middle of a big city. During a 2 hour early morning visit with a local birding friend we saw over thirty species of wetland and forest birds. The departure of several hundred egrets from their roost next to the wetland was an impressive site. Definitely get there early. It is a very popular spot with local bird photographers who are on the lookout for any of the many rarities that turn up at the wetland depending on the season and you can visit it unguided but having someone who knows the birds and the site is always an advantage, regardless get there early to make the most of it. Big thanks to the local Wetland Watch group who put in a lot of work to keep the area clean and work to protect and improve the site.
Written 17 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danielceylon
Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka150 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
Its hard to believe this place is so close to the capital city. At ANY time you visit, the variety of exotic birds don't disappoint, they always show up. Closer to December, bird watchers can see varieties of migrant birds too.
Picturesque location, with exotic plants, flowers, birds, more birds, turtles, terrapins, water monitor lizards and even loads of buffalo lazing around as if they were in a natural jacuzzi! In your ears is the symphony of the various bird calls- the place is a hive of activity.
I've seen a few people fishing, but I'm not sure as to whether it's legal.
There are boat-rides on offer too, but those boats look unsafe and dodgy. The place is best seen by walking/ riding or driving around. Swimming is NOT recommended.
Don't forget your camera!
BTW, even many Sri Lankans don't know where this is. Go to Pelawatte Junction, Battaramulla- ask for "Akuregoda Road". When you pass the new military headquarters currently under construction, you come to a 3 way junction. Take the right turn (Lake Road) and keep going until you arrive at the lake.
Picturesque location, with exotic plants, flowers, birds, more birds, turtles, terrapins, water monitor lizards and even loads of buffalo lazing around as if they were in a natural jacuzzi! In your ears is the symphony of the various bird calls- the place is a hive of activity.
I've seen a few people fishing, but I'm not sure as to whether it's legal.
There are boat-rides on offer too, but those boats look unsafe and dodgy. The place is best seen by walking/ riding or driving around. Swimming is NOT recommended.
Don't forget your camera!
BTW, even many Sri Lankans don't know where this is. Go to Pelawatte Junction, Battaramulla- ask for "Akuregoda Road". When you pass the new military headquarters currently under construction, you come to a 3 way junction. Take the right turn (Lake Road) and keep going until you arrive at the lake.
Written 20 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahinda W
Colombo, Sri Lanka233 contributions
Jul 2012 • Business
Constitutional Walk or stroll, watch nature at play, watch people shedding fat, while you too are struggling to do the same, walk by waterways, relax your mind think things out quietly, sit and ponder if you feel like it in fact feel free as much as you like.
Excellent place.
One question? If people come here for relaxation, why CANT they smile, some look more serious than Isaac Newton before he propounded Relativity.
Excellent place.
One question? If people come here for relaxation, why CANT they smile, some look more serious than Isaac Newton before he propounded Relativity.
Written 26 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louisa I
Perth, Australia33 contributions
Feb 2012 • Friends
Talangama Wetlands are situated near the Batteramula area of Colombo. You need own transport and it is ideal if you stay in Colombo and are in need of some clean quiet nature...
This is the rough route description: Come to Battaramulla in the suburbs of Colombo and get to Wewa para (Lake Road) via Akuregoda road or Sri Wickramasinghapura road, both are off the Battamualla – Pannipitiya road.
We went in February and made a point of arriving there before sunrise i.e. it was pitch dark when we parked at the big animal ID signboard ( see pic). In the dark the area looks creepy untill the light sets in (in feb 5.35 am) and you can smell the fresh air while it is still peacfull. You can have a 30 min walk around the lake, and see the animals wake up... a bit later and then also the locals and guard dogs wake up and it gets hotter, the scenery changes. I imagine visiting during sunset to give a nice different scene as well...
Louisa
This is the rough route description: Come to Battaramulla in the suburbs of Colombo and get to Wewa para (Lake Road) via Akuregoda road or Sri Wickramasinghapura road, both are off the Battamualla – Pannipitiya road.
We went in February and made a point of arriving there before sunrise i.e. it was pitch dark when we parked at the big animal ID signboard ( see pic). In the dark the area looks creepy untill the light sets in (in feb 5.35 am) and you can smell the fresh air while it is still peacfull. You can have a 30 min walk around the lake, and see the animals wake up... a bit later and then also the locals and guard dogs wake up and it gets hotter, the scenery changes. I imagine visiting during sunset to give a nice different scene as well...
Louisa
Written 12 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mahinthan5
Jaffna, Sri Lanka66 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
I went with my friend to take phtoographs of birds. Both we were equiped with Canon Rebel and EF-S 55-250mm lens. For our bad time the weather wasn't right. Only slight light was there and it is started to rain. And also we found our 250mm end is short for the aciton to this place. I recomend to go there with a lens like 400mm. I have uploaded my failed photo with the water mark of "மகி"
After you get down from the bus You have to hire a 3 wheel like to reach there are no busses on that road. . That 3 wheel guy asked 200 rupees while hireing and then asked 300Rs.. So be carefull in bargaining. When we came back we walked that distance
Recommeded month : November to April
Recomended Time: 0700-1000 and 1630-1800
Lens : 400mm
After you get down from the bus You have to hire a 3 wheel like to reach there are no busses on that road. . That 3 wheel guy asked 200 rupees while hireing and then asked 300Rs.. So be carefull in bargaining. When we came back we walked that distance
Recommeded month : November to April
Recomended Time: 0700-1000 and 1630-1800
Lens : 400mm
Written 25 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renuka J
Colombo, Sri Lanka118 contributions
Oct 2015 • Friends
This verdant wetland borders one of Colombo's most scenic suburbs. It is excellent for bird watching and for observing some fast disappearing species of insects, as well as for a quiet day of relaxation - and I mean, quiet. This is not the place for nosy family gatherings, because this frightens away the birds and animals.
But the water area is fast eroding, and the fauna and flora are slowly disappearing. Vast building projects in the vicinity pump water for construction, poaching is constant. Lotus leaves and other flora are harvested continuously by the people of the vicinity, for commercial purposes.
If only more people care about the environment they live in!
But the water area is fast eroding, and the fauna and flora are slowly disappearing. Vast building projects in the vicinity pump water for construction, poaching is constant. Lotus leaves and other flora are harvested continuously by the people of the vicinity, for commercial purposes.
If only more people care about the environment they live in!
Written 8 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PRABHU60
Colombo, Sri Lanka338 contributions
Jul 2013 • Solo
Talangama wetland is very close to Colombo City. Drive towards Pelawatta junction which takes about 30 minutes and take the DP Wijesinghe Road. Pass the defense areas and turn in to the lake road and drive around a kilometer to find Talangama lake and mangroves which forms the wetland.
The paddling boats can take you in to the labyrinth of mangroves which is a wonderful experience.You can see egrets, open bill storks, Pheasant Tail Jacanas, Water fowls, Teals, Lapwings, Cormorants, Black necked ibis, Kingfishers, Grebe,Petrels and Pelicans.
There are concrete bridges across a small canal where you can stay with your equipment and take wonderful photos of a life time.
Excellent day out for a birder
The paddling boats can take you in to the labyrinth of mangroves which is a wonderful experience.You can see egrets, open bill storks, Pheasant Tail Jacanas, Water fowls, Teals, Lapwings, Cormorants, Black necked ibis, Kingfishers, Grebe,Petrels and Pelicans.
There are concrete bridges across a small canal where you can stay with your equipment and take wonderful photos of a life time.
Excellent day out for a birder
Written 10 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia D
Plaidt, Germany6 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
Talangama Wetlands is a marshy wetland with rich flora and fauna. To the best of my knoledge, this rich marshland is not an environmentally protected place, which is a pity. The best times to visit are at dawn and at sunset. Take a walk around the lake and feel the pulse of the nature.
Written 3 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WendyE4
14 contributions
May 2012
A lovely place. Away from the city noise, this little haven is home to many species of flora and fauna and is a great place to really walk.
Written 4 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharmela d
3 contributions
Jun 2015
Visited the wetlands this afternoon. The natural beauty of the area totally destroyed by all the rubbish, plastics, left over food stuffs deposited by the local village people who bathe and generally gather around the wewa... Suggest that the local authorities take immediate action to clean and preserve this wonderful site...
Written 21 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can I know is this the same place as the Thalangama lake behind ITN?
Written 11 August 2017
Is there a restaurant or café onsite
Written 13 June 2015
Could someone tell where this is located/ directions?
Written 13 June 2015
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