The magnificent Sinharaja Rainforest is indeed one of Sri Lanka’s most valuable possessions. It is a national park as well as a biodiversity hotspot. The forest reserve has also been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. When you are traveling in the Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces of the country, you should surely pay this enchanting site a visit. You can get in touch with Green Holiday Centre if you need to have tours arranged to the forest reserve.
It is estimated that more than 60% of the trees found in Sinharaja Forest Reserve are endemic to Sri Lanka. And the trees are multi-layered, which is a characteristic of a rainforest. Mesua – Shorea and Dipteracarpus varieties are prominent among the vegetation. A variety of wild orchids, epiphytes and lianas can be found within Sinharaja Rain Forest. It is also known to be the last viable areas of primary tropical rainforest in the country.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve is home to many species of birds too. These magnificent winged beings move around in mixed feeding flocks. Species like Sri Lankan crested drongo, orange billed babbler, red-faced malkoha, Sri Lankan blue magpie and green-billed coucal can be witnessed here during a bird watching tour. Endangered birds like Sri Lankan wood pigeon, Sri Lankan white-headed starling, Sri Lankan spurfowl and Ashy-headed babbler also occur in Sinharaja Rainforest.
This beautiful rainforest is home to many species of mammals including eight out of the 12 endemic mammal species of Sri Lanka. Here you will find giant squirrels, badger mongoose, purple leaf faced monkey and toque macaque with ease.
You can explore the area of the rainforest using two nature trails, namely Sinhagala Nature Trail and Mulawella Nature Trail.
