UNESCO World Heritage · Rainforest
Sinharaja Forest Reserve,
Sri Lanka
The last great lowland rainforest of the island, alive with endemic birds, frogs and orchids. Walk its trails with a local tracker on a private Sinharaja forest tour from Galle, Colombo or Ella.
UNESCO World HeritageSinharaja Forest Reserve, listed 1988
Sinharaja, Sri LankaSabaragamuwa & Southern Provinces
3 to 5 hour walkswith a compulsory local tracker
Open every dayAbout 6:30 am to 6:00 pm
Sri Lanka’s rainforest
A lion kingdom
of giant trees
Sinharaja Forest Reserve, whose name means “lion kingdom”, covers rolling hills and valleys in the wet south-west of Sri Lanka. It is the island’s last large area of primary lowland rainforest, a dense green world of tall trees, mossy streams and waterfalls, where most of the plants and many of the animals are found nowhere else on Earth.
Birdwatchers come for the Sinharaja forest above all: noisy mixed flocks move through the canopy, led by drongos and babblers, and the brilliant Sri Lanka blue magpie is often seen near the trails. Look closer and you will find tree frogs, hump-nosed lizards, giant squirrels and green pit vipers resting on the leaves.
A private Sinharaja forest tour is the easiest way to visit. Your driver brings you to the entrance early in the morning, and a local tracker from the forest villages leads you along the trails, pointing out the birds and wildlife most visitors would miss.
Plan your visit
Two ways into the forest
Kudawa entrance (north-west)
Closest from Colombo, Galle and the west coast, about 3 to 3.5 hours by road.
Deniyaya entrance (south-east)
Easiest from Mirissa, Matara, Udawalawe and Ella.
Price on request
Tell us where you are staying and we will quote a private car and driver.
In the rainforest
What you will see
in Sinharaja
01 / Birdlife
Endemic birds
Sri Lanka blue magpie, red-faced malkoha, Sri Lanka junglefowl and many more of the island’s endemic species.
02 / Forest life
Mixed bird flocks
Dozens of birds of different species feeding together through the trees, one of the great sights of the forest.
03 / Water
Streams & waterfalls
Clear forest streams and small waterfalls along the trails, perfect for a cool rest on a warm morning.
04 / Small wonders
Frogs, lizards & snakes
Tree frogs, hump-nosed lizards and the green pit viper, along with colourful butterflies and orchids.
05 / The canopy
Giant trees
Towering hardwood trees, many endemic, rise 40 metres or more above the forest floor.
06 / Village life
Forest-edge villages
Small villages and tea gardens on the edge of the reserve, where the local trackers live.
Protecting the forest
How Sinharaja
was saved
Royal lands in the past and protected as a forest reserve since the late 19th century, Sinharaja came under threat in the 1970s, when parts of it were logged for timber. A strong public campaign stopped the logging, and the forest was soon recognised around the world for its unique wildlife.
1978Named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
1988Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
TodayProtected and visited on foot with local trackers
Sinharaja is one of two natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka, together with the Central Highlands. See all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka.
Practical tips
Sinharaja forest tour:
how to visit
Sinharaja is explored only on foot, with a local tracker who must accompany every group. Most walks last 3 to 5 hours along shaded forest trails, with gentle climbs and stream crossings.
- Opening hours: about 6:30 am to 6:00 pm, with the last tickets sold in the late afternoon. Start early for the best birdlife.
- Tickets: the entrance ticket includes your local tracker. Prices change from time to time, so we confirm the current price when you book.
- Leeches: wear long trousers and buy leech socks at the entrance, especially after rain.
- What to bring: water, snacks, a light rain jacket and binoculars. There are no restaurants inside the forest.
- Best time: January to April and August to September are usually driest. Mornings are clearer; it often rains in the afternoon.
- Fitness: the trails are easy to moderate, fine for anyone who is reasonably fit.
Stay the night
Lodges on the forest edge
For the best chance of birds, stay a night in a lodge near the Kudawa or Deniyaya entrance and walk in at dawn. Ask us to include it in your private tour.
Book your rainforest day
Sinharaja tours
with NH Lanka Holidays
Every Sinharaja trip we arrange is private, with your own air-conditioned car or van, an English-speaking driver and hotel pickup. Tell us where you are staying and we will send you a price.
Departing Galle, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa or Mirissa
Sinharaja day tour from the south coast
Price on request
A full day in the rainforest from your beach hotel, back in time for dinner.
- Early pickup, about 6:00 am
- About 3 hours each way
- 3 to 4 hour walk with a local tracker
Departing Colombo or Negombo
Sinharaja day trip from Colombo
Price on request
A long but rewarding day from the west coast to the Kudawa entrance and back.
- Very early pickup, about 5:00 am
- About 3.5 hours each way
- Or add a night at a forest lodge
Departing Ella, Udawalawe or elsewhere
Sinharaja on a private tour
Price on request
Visit through the Deniyaya entrance, or include Sinharaja in a longer private tour of the island.
- Pickup from any hotel
- Combine with Udawalawe or the south coast
- Overnight stays available
Entrance tickets, trackers and meals are not included unless stated. Pay on the day of the tour or in full in advance, with free cancellation until 24 hours before pickup.
Around Sinharaja
Make more of your trip
In the forest
Sri Lanka junglefowl
The colourful national bird of Sri Lanka, often seen on the trails and at the forest edge.
2.5 to 3 hours away
Galle Fort
Walk the ramparts of the old Dutch sea fort, another UNESCO site. Galle Fort
2 to 2.5 hours away
Udawalawe National Park
Wild elephant herds on an afternoon jeep safari. Udawalawe National Park safari
Good to know
Your Sinharaja questions, answered
Where is Sinharaja Forest Reserve?
Sinharaja is in the south-west of Sri Lanka, in the Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces. The main entrances are Kudawa in the north-west and Deniyaya in the south-east.
How do I get to Sinharaja from Colombo or Galle?
By road it takes about 3.5 hours from Colombo and about 3 hours from Galle to the Kudawa entrance. A private car and driver is the easiest way, as public transport is slow.
Do I need a tracker in Sinharaja?
Yes. Every group must walk with a local tracker, who is included in the entrance ticket. They know the trails and are excellent at spotting birds and wildlife.
How long is a Sinharaja forest walk?
Most walks take 3 to 5 hours. Shorter and longer trails are available, and keen birdwatchers often spend a full day in the forest.
Are there leeches in Sinharaja?
Yes, especially after rain. Wear long trousers and leech socks, which are sold at the entrance, and check your shoes and socks during breaks.
What is the best time to visit Sinharaja?
January to April and August to September are usually the driest months. Start early in the morning, when birds are most active and before the afternoon rain.
Is Sinharaja Sri Lanka worth visiting?
Yes, especially for nature lovers. Sinharaja Sri Lanka is the best place on the island to see endemic birds and rainforest wildlife, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Can NH Lanka Holidays arrange a private Sinharaja tour?
Yes. NH Lanka Holidays is a licensed, Sri Lankan-owned tour operator based in Negombo. We arrange your car, driver and hotel pickup, or include Sinharaja in a longer private tour. You can pay on the day of the tour or in full in advance, and cancellation is free until 24 hours before pickup.
Keep exploring: UNESCO World Heritage Sites · National parks · Galle · Udawalawe · Horton Plains · All destinations
Licensed local tour operator
Ready to plan
your Sinharaja tour?
Tell us your dates and where you are staying. Our Negombo-based team will reply within 24 hours with a private, itemised quote.