Sinharaja Wild sanctuary

About this activity

Sinharaja Forest Reserve: Visit This Unscathed Jewel In The Beautiful Island Of Sri Lanka

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve, meaning “Lion King Forest,” is one of Sri Lanka’s most revered natural wonders, rooted deeply in the mythology of Asia. Though lions may no longer roam the region due to colonial hunting and historical monarch times, the forest’s name reflects its mythical stature. Spanning 7,648 hectares on the southern side of Sri Lanka, Sinharaja is a lush tropical wetland forest, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a Biosphere Reserve.

This untouched forest has remained shielded from large-scale human activity, largely due to its previous inaccessibility. Today, it stands as a sanctuary for an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. Visitors are welcomed into a surreal landscape rich with life, where the unique purple-faced langur (a species of monkey), vibrant bird species, and rare endemic wetland trees thrive.

Best visited between January to May and August to December (outside of the harsh monsoon seasons), Sinharaja offers travelers an experience unlike any other. As you wander through its dense greenery, you’ll witness stunning waterfalls cascading into pristine rivers like Gin Ganga and Maha Dola. The fresh, aromatic soil underfoot breathes life into the vibrant forest, offering an immersive adventure filled with beauty and biodiversity.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is not just a journey through nature—it’s a step back in time, where ancient tropical landscapes have remained untouched, offering a rare glimpse into one of the world’s most precious ecosystems.