Sinharaja Rainforest
One of the thing’s Sri Lanka prides itself on is its rich biodiversity. In spite of its small size, this magical island is home to a myriad of different landscapes, ecosystems and wildlife, which is why regardless of where you visit while on the island you will always find some sort of nature activity. Sinharaja Rainforest is about a 2 ½ hour car ride from Weligama, although the journey may seem long, it is definitely worth the visit. Sinharaja, which translates to ‘Lion Kingdom’, is a biodiversity hotspot and is the last viable area of tropical rainforest, which is why it has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Why You Should Visit
Birdwatching is a popular activity to do in Sri Lanka and it’s easy to see why; the island is home to 233 species of birds, 33 are endemic while the other 200 are migratory birds who head towards the warmth of Sri Lanka every year. The forest boasts a variety of fauna and flora from monkeys to 10 amphibians and numerous species of orchids, but its main attraction are the birds. If you go on a guided walk on a sunny day you are almost guaranteed to see at least 20 of the forest’s endemic birds! This is an activity which can be enjoyed by all, regardless if you’re travelling with your family, partner, friends or alone, you should definitely delve into the rainforest of Sri Lanka.
