The Sinharaja forest in Sri Lanka has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site, as well as a World Biosphere Reserve. It’s the largest rainforest in the country, and one of the few to remain being almost untouched by man. Translating from Sinhala, Sinharaja means “Kingdom of the Lion”, and although there are no lions roaming around its many acres, it does boast of a wide variety of life; including over 50% of the country’s endemic fauna and flora. While the trail is perfect for any nature lover, it would be paradise to the bird enthusiasts.
Plan your trip
The best time to visit the forest would be from December to May before 7 am, as that is when the weather is the most favourable.
To reach the reserve you can choose between walking up a hill for an hour or so, or hiring a jeep that will take you there in about 15 minutes.
Completing these trails can take up most of your day, so staying for at least one night in the area would be a lot less hectic than planning a day trip.
It is suggested that you wear comfortable shoes, and bring plenty of water along with you, as well as some form of leech repellent, but if you don’t have any it can always be purchased from the shops near by.
It is an extremely large amount of land that you will be travelling through, so you will not be permitted to enter by yourself as there would be the risk of losing your way. Instead, experienced guides will be assigned to ensure that you complete your trip safely, while being able to see the best of what the trails have to offer.
There are 3 entrances to the reserve; Pitadeniya, the morning side entrance, and the most popular; the Kudawa Conservation Center.
Sinhagala
The Kudawa entrance will lead you along the trail to Sinhagala, which is one of the most popular paths for bird watchers due its close proximity with some bodies of water. The path challenges you to cross some streams, and gets a lot steeper as you get closer to its summit. Finally, your efforts will be rewarded by the panoramic view that stretches over the forest cover and mountain ranges in the area.
What to expect
Trekking through this rainforest is surprisingly easy, and almost anyone can complete it.
There are many animals that live here, but some of them aren’t seen as much as the others due to the density of the forest cover. They roam around in the undisturbed land peacefully, and as we respect their freedom to do so, we do not interfere. These animals include the fishing cat, leopards, and even elephants.
Sightings of deer, monkey, and wild boar are a lot more common, as well as a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
There is said to be 160 different species of birds living in Sinharaja, including a majority which are endemic to Sri Lanka. Keep your eyes on the trees, and you’ll most likely see some of these exotic birds.
The forest is also known for having waterfalls and natural pools where people stop to have a swim break before continuing their journey. These waters are incredibly refreshing, and can really help you cool off after your hike.
Over all, the route itself is a testimony to how nature thrives without the touch of man, and inspires us all to protect every nook and cranny that holds life.
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