Sinharaja, translated as the Lion Kingdom, is the unique area of primary tropical rain forest. About 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are endangered and rare.
The forest is located in remote Sri Lankan lowland Eco region, that was fortunate to escape commercial logging due to limited accessibility. In 1978 it became a biosphere reserve and shortly after a World Heritage Site in 1988.
The reserve is only 21 km from east to west and about 7 km from north to south. Despite its relatively small size, it is home to many unique insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and animals.
Three elephants and about 15 leopards have been registered in the park. The most easy-to-spot animals are a purple-faced langur, giant squirrel, dusky-stripped jungle squirrel, and badger mongoose. Endemic green pit viper and hump-nosed vipers are there as well as many tree frogs. About 20 out of 26 Sri Lanka endemic rainforest birds can be seen in the park, like red-faced malkoha and blue magpie.
The Reserve can be easily reached from hotels on the west coast or from Colombo. Lush and dense plants make the spotting of animals not an easy task but it really shows how a rainforest is supposed to look like,
The reserve offers two nature trails to explore Sinharaja Rain Forest—to the peak of Sinhagala and the peak of Moulawella. Both trails begin at Kudawa Conservation Centre (KCC) and each one stretches out for about 2.5 km.
The Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve is affected by the south-west monsoons from May to July, and by the northeast monsoons between October and mid-January. Thus, the best time to to plan a hike in the area is January–April and August–September.
Practical info
What makes Sinharaja Rainforest unique?
Sinharaja Rainforest boasts of a distinct biodiversity which comprises of trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and animals. Majority of the trees in the area are endemic, rare and protected. Moreover, the forest is home to almost all Sri Lanka endemic rainforest birds which includes the endangered red-faced malkoha and blue magpie. Show more
What wildlife can be spotted at Sinharaja Rainforest?
Sinharaja Rainforest is home to unique and rare flora and fauna such as rare insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and animals. The forest is inhabited by around 15 leopards and three elephants. Some of the common creatures spotted easily are badger mongoose, giant squirrel, dusky-stripped jungle squirrel and purple-faced langur. Sinharaja Rainforest also attracts birdwatchers as it is a habitat for 20 out of 26 endemic Sri Lanka rainforest birds like the blue magpie and the red-faced malkoha. Show more
What are the nature trails provided by Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve?
At Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve, visitors can explore two nature trails- the one to Sinhagala's summit and the other to Moulawella's summit. Both trails begin at Kudawa Conservation Centre(KCC), and stretches out around 2.5 kilometers each. The nature trails offer a journey through the beauty of Sinharaja Rainforest, and allows visitors to spot the unique and rare flora and fauna this region preserves. Show more
When is the best time to go hiking in Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve?
It is recommended to plan hiking trips to the Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve in mild and dry conditions, due to the weather extremes caused by the South-west monsoons during May to July and the Northeast monsoons between October and mid-January. The ideal time to explore Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve is January-April and August-September—when the weather stays pleasant and dry, offering hikers the best opportunity to see the unique and rare flora and fauna of the region. Show more
