Sinharaja Rainforest
One of the most important natural habitats in Sri Lanka, the Sinharaja rainforest offers a huge diversity of species both flora and fauna with a large proportion of those being indigenous to the country and some more specifically endemic to Sinharaja itself. A permit is required to enter the reserve. A forest guide will be provided by the Forest Department. The ticket office at Kudawacan be reached by a car but a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a high ground clearance is needed to reach the forest entrance from which point bird watching has to be done on foot. The paths are well defined but one has to be mindful of the leeches, especially during the rainy season.
Sinharaja is famous for its mixed feeding bird flocks and a number of endemic birds can be observed during the walks across the forest. Basic accommodation is provided by the Forest Department for those interested in staying overnight but it has to be arranged prior to the visit from the head office at Jayanthipura, Battaramulla. There are also a few private guest houses, which would provide meals and accommodation. There is an entry into the reserve from Deniyaya as well.
How to get there:- Colombo - Kalutara - Agalawatta - Matugama - Kalawana - Veddagala - Sinharaja (4 hours)
BIRDS: Green-Billed Coucal, Red-Faced Malkoha, Ceylon Blue Magpie, Rufous Babbler, Ceylon Hill Mynah, Ashy-Headed Laughingthrush, White-Headed Starling, Yellow-Fronted Barbet, Spot-Winged Thrush, Scaly Thrush, Ceylon Jungle Fowl, Ceylon Spur Fowl, Crimson-Backed Woodpecker, Ceylon Crested Drongo, Layard's Parakeet, Ceylon Green Pigeon, Ceylon Lorikeet, SerendibScops Owl, Ceylon Bay Owl, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Chestnut Backed Owlet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Legge'sFlowerpecker, Scimitar Babbler, Ceylon Trogon, Black Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagles, Hawk Eagles, Crested Honey Buzzard and many more.
