Overview
Mangroves are trees that grow with their roots in salty or brackish water, and the Madu Ganga has one of the best-kept stands on this coast. They crowd the banks and cover many of the islands, and almost everything else you see on the trip depends on them.
What you see from the boat
Look first at the roots. They arch down from the trunks in tangled loops, and the trunks stand in water that rises and falls with the tide. The forest changes character as you move: open and bright on the lake, close and shaded in the side channels.
Give it a few minutes and it starts to move. Small fish shelter in the roots, crabs work the mud at low tide, kingfishers sit on low perches and larger birds cross the canopy. In the quiet corners the rider cuts the engine so you can listen to it.
Why it matters
Surveys of the wetland have recorded about 300 plant species and close to 250 vertebrate species, a lot for such a small area. Mangrove roots also hold the banks together and give young fish and prawns somewhere safe to grow, which is one reason local families still depend on the water. Our Sustainability page explains how we look after it.
What you see from the boat
Look first at the roots. They arch down from the trunks in tangled loops, and the trunks stand in water that rises and falls with the tide. The forest changes character as you move: open and bright on the lake, close and shaded in the side channels.
Give it a few minutes and it starts to move. Small fish shelter in the roots, crabs work the mud at low tide, kingfishers sit on low perches and larger birds cross the canopy. In the quiet corners the rider cuts the engine so you can listen to it.
Why it matters
Surveys of the wetland have recorded about 300 plant species and close to 250 vertebrate species, a lot for such a small area. Mangrove roots also hold the banks together and give young fish and prawns somewhere safe to grow, which is one reason local families still depend on the water. Our Sustainability page explains how we look after it.
Please: do not snap branches or pull at roots, and ask your rider if you are curious about a plant. A hat and light clothing work best, with insect repellent for early mornings.
Highlights
- Private, for your group only
- An experienced local rider
- Balapitiya, on the Madu Ganga
- Suits for couples, families, photographers
