The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a biodiversity reserve and the last major fragment of rainforest in Sri Lanka. Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1988, Sinharaja is crucial for both its biodiversity and its ecological importance.
I had the pleasure of visiting Sinharaja in the month of March organizing a tour with several friends. During our visit we stayed at Sinharaja Forest Edge for 3 days and we explored the nature reserve with local guides. In this article I am going to tell you everything you need to make the most of your visit to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.
What to do in Sinharaja Forest Reserve
The forest covers an area of approximately 11,187 hectares and is home to a wide variety of endemic species, both flora and fauna, some of which are rare and only found in this region. You will be able to explore the forest through trails and observe wildlife, including birds, mammals, reptiles and insects, along with a vast collection of tropical plants.
Hiking and exploring in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve
In our case, the same hotel Sinharaja Forest Edge He organized the routes for us through the forest reserve, we only had to contact them prior to our arrival. This hotel is located right at the entrance to the reserve, so we didn't have to travel once there.
In any case you can also explore on your own, but keep in mind that without a guide it can be easy to get lost. I recommend going with a guide if you don't know the area or are not an experienced traveler. In addition, the guides are usually very good, in our case they explained to us in detail everything about the animals and insects that we found.
There is also the possibility of book tours from Colombo and South West Sri Lanka to spend the day in the reserve. These tours are perfect if you don't want to go to Sinharaja on your own.
There are several routes to choose from in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. The path through the forest is simple and on numerous occasions you will make stops to observe animals. In addition, you will find several waterfalls along the route.
Bird and Wildlife Watching in Sinharaja
During a hike through Sinharaja, you can find an impressive variety of biodiversity. The forest is home to over 50% of endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many of Sri Lanka's birds. You will be able to observe rare species such as the Layard parrot, the dwarf kingfisher and the yellow-browed bulbul. In addition to wildlife, Sinharaja is home to a huge variety of tropical trees, plants and flowers, many of which are medicinal or have other important ecological uses.
Accommodation in Sinharaja Forest Reserve
The hotels and villas in Sinharaja are spectacular, almost all have a swimming pool and are surrounded by nature and life. Here are the photos I took when I stayed at Sinharaja Forest Edge, is the resort that I recommend the most because my experience there was incredible. The rooms are also large and comfortable, with an elegant design and a private bathroom. Plus, the pool has incredible views of Sinharaja.
Other options that I have also investigated are 360 Rainforest, another very good looking resort located at the entrance to Sinharaja and Jansen's Bungalow Sinharaja Rainforest Retreat, located on the upper slopes of a jungle valley and with an infinity pool.
How to get to Sinharaja
The best and quickest way to get to Sinharaja on your own is to rent a car, as no other means of transportation will take you to the area. I recommend you search discovercars.com, is the car comparator that I use every time I travel, it always offers the best prices among all companies.
As I have already told you before, there is also the possibility of hiring a tour for the day that will take you from the southwest coast to see the Sinharaja forest reserve.
My experience in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve
The overall experience was incredible, we spent the 3 days at the hotel enjoying the facilities and exploring the forest. In addition, there is a restaurant in the same hotel where the food is quite good.
If I had to go back, I would repeat the same experience. In my opinion, it is worth staying there for a couple of days. The atmosphere is super relaxed and the nature of the forest makes you feel like you are living in another reality.
