Into the Green: How to Visit the Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of lush, tropical jungles and dense rainforests. I often fantasized about listening to the jungle sounds and seeing some wildlife.

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve in Sri Lanka is one of those places where you can have a real, authentic jungle experience. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In this comprehensive Sinharaja Rainforest travel guide, I gathered all you need to know before visiting the Sinharaja Forest.

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Animals in the Sinharaja Forest

I strongly believe you plan to visit the Sinharaja Forest because of its unique flora and fauna. More than 50% of the plants and animals here are endemic to Sri Lanka. Some of them are only to be seen here.

We spent 8 hours in the rainforest, and among others, we could witness these animals:

As in nature, there is never any guarantee to see a certain kind of animal. The best you can do is choose a knowledgeable guide who knows the forest in and out.

Where to Stay in the Sinharaja Forest

Most accommodations are homestays, with the opportunity to experience local hospitality. Most homestays have an in-house restaurant and arrange guided hiking tours. The hosts have great knowledge about their forest to provide valuable insights during your hike.

I stayed at the Rainforest Mount Lodge and would gladly stay there again. Our bungalow was spacious, clean, with breathtaking views from the terrace. A big plus was the delicious homemade food.

Another alternative is the Evergreen Villa, the lodge next door. I met the kind owner who showed me his garden full of flowers and pitcher plants.

These accommodations are the closest to the forest entrance in Deniyaya.

Short on Time? Visit Sinharaja as a Day Trip

If you have limited time, check out this Sinharaja Forest Day Trip. This tour is the highest-rated and overall best choice. It runs on most days & you can choose from 10+ pickup locations from the Southern Coast.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve Location

The Sinharaja Rainforest is located in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka. It is a lowland, mostly primary rainforest in a vast area. Its westernmost point is 100km from Colombo, and its southernmost point is 80km from the ocean.

There are 4 Main Entrances to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve:

• Weddagala (North-West)
• Rakwana (North-East)
• Neluwa (South-West)
• Deniyaya-Mederipitiya (South-East) – our choice

After some research, I chose to visit the Sinharaja Forest using the Deniyaya entrance, due to its accessibility, activities, and hotel options.

Therefore, this Travel Guide focuses on the Deniyaya Entrance.

Getting to Deniyaya / the Sinharaja Forest

We arrived at Deniyaya with a taxi (using the Pickme App), which made reaching the Deniyaya Forest Entrance very easy.

If I were to return:
– I`d rent a tuk tuk from Day 1
– If a tuk tuk is not an option for you, there are also public buses to Deniyaya.

Renting a tuk tuk in Sri Lanka turned out to be the single best decision in Sri Lanka. It gave us the flexibility and freedom to explore on our own. (The traffic was not bad at all.)

If you’re visiting Sinharaja as part of a bigger trip around the island, check out my 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary — it includes a suggested route that can easily incorporate this rainforest adventure.

Map of the Sinharaja Forest Entrance – Deniyaya

Points of Interest:
Point #1: Deniyaya, the closest town. Until Deniyaya, public transportation is available.
Point #2: Rainforest Mount Lodge, our chosen accommodation, is close to the park entrance.
Point #3: Sinharaja Pitadeniya Entrance – Forest Entrance.
Point #4: Kekuna Ella Falls – during our jungle trekking, we swam at this waterfall.

Jungle Trekking Options in the Sinharaja Forest

There are some options to choose from when you go jungle trekking in the Sinharaja Forest:

Choosing a Guide:
It is mandatory to have a guide if you go jungle trekking in the forest.
There are two options:
– You either opt for the guide at your accommodation;
– Or get a guide at the entrance gate.

Costs:
Entrance fee: 1240 LKR for foreign adults / 620 LKR for foreign children
Guide fee: based on negotiation

We went on a full-day hike with our host and paid 9,000 LKR per person, which included the entry fee, food, and drinks. It was a more expensive option than hiring a guide at the entrance gate.

As an example, a guide at the entrance offered to take us for a 3-hour trek for 5000 LKR altogether (we were 2 people). In any case, please make sure to pay the guide a reasonable price, not too low. Let’s do our part in supporting the locals.

Jungle Trekking Types:
You can choose from 3, 6, or 9-hour-long tours, depending on your fitness level and preferences.
Optionally, if you are interested, a night walk can also be arranged; just ask your host.

What to Wear in the Sinharaja Forest

For your comfort and safety, I recommend lightweight, breathable, long trousers and a similar long shirt. It will not only protect you from the leeches but also from possible injuries.

(In the Mulu National Park in Borneo, I once wore a short-sleeved shirt and accidentally touched a toxic plant, which left a bruise on my arm for years.)

Clothing material: It is best to wear merino wool or synthetic clothing – something that dries quickly.

Pro Tip: Wear a swimsuit under your clothes for a jungle waterfall swim.

Leeches in the Sinharaja Forest

Leeches are more prevalent during the wet season, typically from April until October.

We visited the forest during March, at the end of the dry season. During our full-day hike, we saw only one leech.

Although leeches are harmless, if you don`t want to get bitten, wear long (knee-length) socks outside of your long trousers.  

A tip that, according to local Sri Lankans, works against leeches:
– Rub your shoes with salt and a bit of water

How Many Days are Needed in the Sinharaja Forest?

My recommendation is to stay at least two nights. This way, you will have one full day to explore the jungle.
Most visitors spend 1-2 nights around the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.

Amenities around the Sinharaja Forest

There are no shops, pubs, or restaurants around this part of the national park.

However, the warm hospitality of the Sri Lankans makes up for it. Your host will take good care of you and will make you feel at home.

My Experience in the Sinharaja Rainforest

Whenever I go to rainforests or jungles, I am almost equally thrilled and frightened. I want to see snakes, and simultaneously, I am afraid of seeing them.

In the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, I felt completely safe, thanks to the guides. They knew where the different animals usually reside (including snakes). The hike in the rainforest was pleasant – it was not as humid in March as I expected.

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve was one of the most memorable stops of our Sri Lanka Trip.

Conclusion

If you are a fellow nature and outdoors lover visiting Sri Lanka, you will love the Sinharaja Rainforest.

The hotels near the forest are great, and the wildlife is fantastic. The guides are knowledgeable, and most speak good English.

I hope this travel guide helped you plan your visit to the Sinharaja Forest. If you need further information, please leave a comment.