Things not to miss in this tour
Guided trekking through the Sinharaja rainforest making your way through the plants.
Identify endemic species.
One on one encounters with birds, butterflies and other wild animals.
Lunch at a recommended restaurant
This day tour is a nature lovers dream. Anyone who has a keen interest in exploring flora, fauna, bird species and wildlife can opt for this day tour and be rest assured that it is going to be an exciting and memorable day!
Yes, this Sinharaja day tour itinerary can be customized according to your requirements.
Located at the heart of the islands wet zone, rain is very frequent in Sinharaja. However, the months from January to March are definitely worth visiting, without the rain being troublesome. April and August to October sees slight rain but its worth a try.
Hotel - Day Tour - Hotel
The rich and unique animal and plant diversity in the Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve is the reason why it was marked as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. Presently, the reserve spans 8864 hectares and the country plans to quadruple the size of the area to respect the ecological significance of the region. The Sinharaja Rain Forest provides habitat for endemic species like; mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians and of course, an abundance of trees and insects.
Specially known for bird watching, an interesting incident here is that birds move in mixed feeding flocks, led by the great Racket-tailed Drongo and the noisy Orange-billed Babbler. 20 of the 26 endemic bird species in Sri Lanka are seen at the Sinharaja Rainforest. In addition to birds, more than 60% of the plants are endemic, many of which are rare.
Possible wildlife sightings
Birds
Sri Lankan Blue Magpie
Grey Hornbill
Red Faced Malkoha
Scaly Thrush
Wood Pigeon
Yellow Eared Bulbul
Dusky Blue Flycatcher
Mammals
Giant squirrel
Dusky Striped Giant Squirrel
Badger Mongoose
Purple Faced Leaf Monkey
Torque Macaque
Reptiles
Green Pit Viper
Hump-nosed Viper
Torrent Toad
Wrinkled Frog
Sri Lankan Reed Frog
Due to opaque flora, animal spotting is a challenge. This kind of atmosphere is a real treat to wildlife enthusiasts though who are breathlessly waiting to travel deep into the forests in search of rare wildlife. The amazing flora and fauna that beautifies this forest reserve are those that live in temperatures ranging from 19-34 degrees Celsius. The average height of trees varies between 35m-45m within the rainforest.
Things you should know before you visit Sinharaja
Beware of leeches. For protection, leech socks are available for purchase at the entrance offices. Carry some salt just in case one of the leeches got you even through the socks.
An experienced, English speaking guide is advisable to show you around and educate you on the flora and fauna.
There are three entrances to the park, each offering different experiences to guests.
Carry water, rainproof jacket, binoculars, a camera and some snacks with you.
Guided trekking through the Sinharaja rainforest making your way through the plants.
Identify endemic species.
One on one encounters with birds, butterflies and other wild animals.
Lunch at a recommended restaurant
Sinharaja Rainforest ReserveDue to the dense vegetation, animal spotting is a challenge. This kind of atmosphere is a real treat to wildlife enthusiasts though who are eagerly waiting to travel deep into the forests in search of rare wildlife. |