We recently visited Nilwala Crocodile Safari Matara during our trip to the south coast. Overall, it was a good experience and we were able to see several crocodiles, birds, monkeys, and other wildlife along the river. The river itself is beautiful and peaceful, and the boat ride gives you a nice opportunity to enjoy nature away from the busy town area. The staff and boat crew were friendly, helpful, and tried their best to make the trip enjoyable for everyone on board.
The guides were knowledgeable about the area and explained a lot about the crocodiles and the surrounding ecosystem. We also appreciated the effort they made to help guests spot wildlife that can sometimes be difficult to notice. The scenery along the Nilwala River is very attractive and there are plenty of opportunities to take nice photos.
However, the main disappointment for us was the pricing. While the experience was good, we felt that the cost was quite high compared to what was offered. In our opinion, the value for money is not the strongest point of this safari. If you compare it with a Madu River Safari, you can often get a much more complete experience for a more reasonable price. Madu River offers a wider variety of attractions and activities during the boat ride, making it feel like better overall value.
That said, if your main interest is seeing crocodiles in their natural habitat, this safari is still worth considering. The staff are friendly, the river is beautiful, and the wildlife sightings can be exciting. We enjoyed our visit, but we hope the pricing can be reviewed in the future to make the experience more attractive for a wider range of travelers.