Into the Green: How to Visit the Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Ever since I was a child, I have dreamed of lush, tropical jungles and dense rainforests. I often fantasized about visiting these evergreen forests, particularly to listen to the enchanting jungle sounds and witness some wildlife.

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

In this comprehensive Sinharaja Rainforest travel guide, I will provide information on how to get there, where to stay, and share the amazing animal encounters we experienced during our trip.

Animal Encounters in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve

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 found here are endemic to Sri Lanka. Some of them are only to be seen in this forest.

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

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

Short on Time? Choose this Sinharaja Day Trip

If you have limited time, book this Sinharaja Forest Day Trip. This tour is the top-rated and most popular choice. It runs on most days & you can choose from 10 different pickup locations from the Southern Coast.

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Where is the Sinharaja Forest Reserve Located?

The Sinharaja Rainforest is located in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka. It is a lowland, mostly primary rainforest covering a vast area. Its most western point is 100km from Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka, and the southern point is around 80km from the ocean.

There are 4 Main Entrances to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve with accommodation possibilities:

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

After spending some time with online research, I chose to visit the Sinharaja Forest from the South-East Entrance Point, Deniyaya, due to its accessibility, activities, and accommodation options.

Therefore, this Travel Guide will focus on the Deniyaya Entrance.

How to reach the Sinharaja Forest – Deniyaya

While visiting the Sinharaja Rainforest, we opted for a taxi, which made reaching the Deniyaya Forest Entrance from the coast easier than expected.

However, if I were to return:
– I`d rent a tuk tuk from the start
– or consider taking the direct public bus from Galle to Deniyaya, which runs several times a day.

For the second half of our trip, we rented a tuk-tuk. It turned out to be the single best decision on this trip: it gave us the flexibility and freedom to explore Sri Lanka on our own.

If you are thinking of doing the same, check out my detailed guide on my experience renting a tuk tuk in Sri Lanka.

Map of the Sinharaja Forest Entrance – Deniyaya

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

Where to stay in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Most accommodations are homestays, offering an opportunity to experience local hospitality. These homestays serve delicious homemade Sri Lankan food and can arrange guided rainforest hiking tours upon request. The hosts have great knowledge about their forest and can provide valuable insights during your hike.

We stayed at the Rainforest Mount Lodge and we loved our stay there. Our bungalow was spacious, clean, and had a breathtaking views of the surrounding forest and tea plantations. A big plus was the delicious homemade food. We even wanted to stay there longer but they were fully booked.

Another alternative is the Evergreen Villa, the lodge next door. Although we did not stay there, the host invited me to their property and showed me their garden filled with pitcher plants.

Above listed accommodations are located only a few hundred meters away from the forest entrance.

Pro Tip: Both the Rainforest Mount Lodge and the Evergreen Villa can sell out quickly. It`s better to book in advance.

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 Sinharaja Rainforest.
There are two options:
– you either opt for the guide at your accommodation;
– or get a guide at the entrance gate.

Costs:
Entry fee: 2500 LKR
Guide fee: based on negotiation

We went with our host for a 6-hour long hike and paid 9000 LKR per person, including the entry fee, breakfast, lunch, and water. It was a more expensive option than choosing a guide at the forest entrance.

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).

However you choose, please make sure that you pay a price to the guide which is reasonable and 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, whether it’s the dry or the rainy season, I always recommend lightweight, breathable long trousers and a similar functional shirt. It will not only protect you from the leeches but it will also shield you from possible injuries.

For instance, in Borneo, I once accidentally brushed against a toxic plant, which left a visible bruise on my arm for years. This is why I always recommend wearing long, protective clothing in jungles and rainforests.

Clothing material: It is best to wear either merino wool or synthetic clothing – something that dries quickly. The humidity is always high in the rainforest so be prepared to shed some sweat 😊

Leeches in the Sinharaja Forest

Leeches are more prevalent during the wet season, which typically runs from April until October. However, even during the dry season, it’s still advisable to take precautions against leeches.

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

Although leeches are harmless, if you don`t want to get bitten by them, wear a long (knee-length) sock outside of your long trousers.
That`s all you need – there is no need for special leech socks in my opinion.  

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?

The 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

When it comes to amenities, it is important to note that there are no shops, pubs, or restaurants in this part of the national park.

However, the warm hospitality of the Sri Lankan people more than makes up for it. As long as you have a host, you can rest assured that you will be taken care of, adding to the comfort of your overall stay.

Packing List for Sri Lanka

My Experience in the Sinharaja Rainforest

I have to admit, 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 absolutely safe – thanks to our guides. They seemed to know 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.

After our visit to the Sinharaja Forest, our next destination was Rekawa Beach: another hidden gem in Sri Lanka.

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 good, the variety of wildlife is fantastic, the guides are knowledgeable, and most speak good English.

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