Located in southwestern Sri Lanka, Sinharaja is the country’s last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are found only in Sri Lanka (endemic) and many of them are considered rare. There is much endemic wildlife, especially birds, but the reserve is also home to over 50% of the country’s endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians.

It is an important site for a vast number of endemic fauna and flora, which are threatened due to deforestation. It is home to 16 of the 27 endemic birds of Sri Lanka, which include Red-faced Malkoha and Sri Lanka Blue Magpie.

A walk through the unique and pristine forest, declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1988, will reveal spectacular rainforest scenery and wildlife.

A bird flock will contain close to 12 species on average moving through the densely vegetated forest, feeding on insects. You will be able to see the flock leader, the Orange-billed Babbler, which is the steering wheel of the bird flock, and Crested Drongo, which acts as the policeman of the flock, safeguarding it from Hawks and Eagles by uttering alarm calls.

There is also a vast diversity of flora, which include 45-metre towering canopy giants. Nearly 60% of the flowering plants in thirty thousand acre rainforest are found only in Sri Lanka. There are also many species of colourful butterflies.

Sinharaja is located 30 km from the southern city of Galle. But perhaps the best way to visit is to take a tour offered by some travel companies, providing transport, lodging and an experienced guide, as well as the very necessary leech-proof socks. The company will also obtain the permit from the Forest Department in Colombo needed to stay overnight in the reserve’s camp. Or you can hire your own Forest Department guide and book a room at Martin’s Simple Lodge, which provides simple Sri Lankan food. It is the most popular base of eco tourists at Sinharaja and the balcony provides spectacular views of the virgin jungle.

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