SINHARAJA AND KITHULGALA

This singharaja Rainforest and the village of kithulgala, which is popular for white water rafting and other outdoor spots, lies in the western foothills, sandwiched between the west coast and the central highlands. This is an area of rolling hills, tropical rain forests and winding rivers suited to lovers of the outdoors.

For white water rafting on the kelani River , take Royal Road To Sri Lanka advice to ensure you deal with the most professional outfits. Kelani River possesses Grade 3 and 4 radius, suitable for beginners and those with more experience. You can also go canoeing on low country lakes and rivers, take jungle walks or go mountain biking. The Kelani valley Forest Reserve in kithulgala is ideal for forest treks or mountain bike rides through jungle clad hills and tea and rubber plantations. The breathtaking scenery here was used for the filming of the Oscar-winning classic “ The Bridge over the River kwai”, take a boat trip along the river to see the kalani forest Reserve in all its splendour.

When you are planning activities in singharaja, make sure you come adequately prepared because as you would expect this is one of the wettest areas of Sri Lanka. Bring waterproofs, Walking boots and thick socks so that you can enjoy your experience of the region to the utmost. Least Rainfall is from January to March and again form July to September.

Singharaja gives you a different experience of Sri Lanka , in the last surviving stretch of virgin rainforest on the island be ready to pour with sweat as you make your way through a moody and muggy land replete with exotic colours and wonderful sounds.

A birdwatching expedition in singharaja is particularly rewarding form November to March and in April and August. Watch out for the mixed species feeding Flocks and other forest birds.

Rathnapura, is on route to singharaja and is filled with gem shops where you can buy gemstone as well as gem studded jewellery. Most shops possess their own workshops where the coarse gem stones found in the depths of the soil are cut and polished. We can arrange a visit so you can see this process in the action.

One of the lesser known peraheras in Sri Lanka takes place in Rathnapura on the full moon poya day of July or August. Delight in the traditional folklore , music and the rhythmic dance of the sabaragamuwa region. Watch dancers, drummers, chieftains and marching elephants dressed in glittering cloaks in this colourful pageant.

The Kelani Forest Reserve in kithulgala was established to protect the watershed of the kelani River and is home to many species of Sri Lanka’s endemic flora and fauna. When exploring the forest in search of the wide variety of creatures which inhabit this area, it is advisable to take leech socke and plenty of insects repellent. The kithulgala kelani Forest Reserve is also the hub of adventure activities in Sri Lanka go white water rafting on grade 3 and 4 rapids. Trek or ride on mountain bikes through the jungle clad hills, try canoeing along the river , of wander through the rubber and low country tea plantations. The breathtaking scenery here was chosen as the backdrop for the Oscar – winning classic ‘the Bridge over the River Kwai’ by David Lean explore the stunning landscape by taking a boat ride along the river.

Birds

Many of the lowland endemics can be seen in kithulgala including the Green bill coucal, chestnut backed Owlet, Sri Lanka Brown capped Babbler, Red faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka spot winged Thrush , Grey Hornbill , Sri Lanka spurfowl, Sri Lanka Hanging parrot, Layards parakeet , Sri Lanka orange billed Babbler, white faced starling, Legg’s Flowerpecker , Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka myna, Yellow fronted Barbet and the serendip Scops owl, which was heard for the first time in this forest, other specialties included the elusive Dollar Bird , Ceylon Frogmouth, Hill Swallow, Black throated Munia, Black Bulbul And Black capped Bulbul

Butterflies

Kithulgala is an excellent place for spotting rere species of butterfly, and most of the endemics can be seen here too. The Tawny Raja, Red Helen, Blue Mormon, Tree Nymph, Common Blue Bottle And Blue Oak Leaf can be seen , to name a few.

Amphibians And Reptiles

This resin forest is home to many of Sri Lanka’s endemic amphibians, as well as the elusive Earless Lizard, kangaroo Lizard and Hump Nosed Lizard. Many species of frogs can be seen ( or rather heard) in the forest, and the streams hold a vast number of fresh water fish that are mostly endemic and endangered.

Mammals

As well as several varieties of bats and mice, the mammals in the kithulgala Forest Reserve include the purple Faced Leaf Monkey, Grizzked , Indian Squirrel, Layards striped squirrel, wild Boar and Mouse Deer.

The last surviving stretch of virgin Rainforest in Sri Lanka, singharaja is a UNESCO international Man and Biosphere Reserve, a moist and muggy , murky and mysterious land of exotic colours and wonderful sounds, Trekking here is a truly enriching experience. Accompanied by nothing but the sound of gushing waterfalls, gurgling streams and rustling leaves , look out for exotic birds, vibrant reptiles and eye catching butterflies moving through the trees and absorb the atmosphere of utter tranquility as your surroundings stir the senses. 73 native species have so far been identified in singharaja Rainforest, including birds , butterflies, fish , mammals, Reptiles and amphibians, making it a world famous hotspots for biodiversity.

Located in the southwest corner of Sri Lanka ,40 km inland from the historic city of Galle, singharaja straddles a series of mountains and ridges in the country’s wet zone and contains a number of streams, waterfalls and fresh water springs which flow into the Gin Ganga on the southern boundary and kalu Ganga to the north . The singharaja region has long played an important role in the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. Folklorist believe that the name of the forest, which literally means ‘lion King ‘
Suggest its significance as the primary home of the legendary lion of Sri Lanka. Other less romantic historians believe that the name refers to singharaja’s role as the king sized or royal forest of the Sinhalese people, at a time when over 100,000 hectares of wet evergreen jungle covered the south western hills and lowlands of Sri Lanka . Since that time , with much of the land having been cultivated by both colonial settlers and local inhabitants for tea estates and other forms of enterprises, the thin sliver of forest ( 21km long and 3.7km wide) that remains is but a glimpse of its former glory . Only relatively recently was the urgency of conserving this previous segment of land was seriously recognised when it was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1976. In 1989 UNESCO seconded this move and made it a World Heritage site in 1989.