Why Sinharaja Rainforest will steal your heart
Step beneath the canopy of Sinharaja and the world changes. The air is warm and damp, sunlight filters down through towering trees, and the forest is alive with the calls of birds, the buzz of insects and the rush of streams. This is Sri Lanka's last significant area of primary tropical rainforest, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sinharaja means 'lion king', and the forest is steeped in legend. More importantly, it is one of the richest places for biodiversity in the world. A remarkable proportion of its trees and many of its birds, reptiles, frogs and butterflies are endemic, found only in Sri Lanka.
Birdwatchers come from all over the world for the famous mixed-species feeding flocks, where many different birds travel through the forest together. Look for the beautiful Sri Lanka blue magpie, the red-faced malkoha and the Sri Lanka spurfowl. You may also see purple-faced langurs, giant squirrels, colourful lizards, tree frogs and huge butterflies.
You explore on foot with a local guide, who knows every trail and can spot creatures you'd never see on your own. Paths lead through the forest to waterfalls, natural pools and viewpoints over the canopy.
Sinharaja is wet, and it's home to leeches, so leech socks are a good idea. But for anyone who loves nature, walking through this ancient forest is a privilege and an unforgettable experience.
