The Sinharaja is a tropical lowland rainforest that is located within the Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces of Sri Lanka. The eighteen thousand nine hundred acre expanse is bordered by three rivers: the Koskulana Ganga, on the north; the Gin Ganga, on the south and the Kudawa Ganga, on the west. To the east there is an ancient footpath that passes the Denuwa Kanda Mountain. Rainforest Ecolodge – Sinharaja can be found on the south-western fringe. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve was pronounced a Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1988 by UNESCO. It has also been declared a Biodiversity Hotspot by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). For scientists who need to venture into the dense, wet depths of the Sinharaja, eco lodge accommodation close by is ideal. It also appeals to nature lovers and those looking for peace and quiet to meditate.
The mountainous forest is home to more than fifty per cent of Sri Lanka’s endemic mammal species. The south-west monsoon during the middle of the year and the north-east monsoon at the end, bring heavy showers. The terrain is made up of peaks and valleys that are woven with a network of streams that flow to the bordering rivers.
Today, Sinharaja is the largest rainforest in Sri Lanka. It is open to the public for ecotourism and recreational purposes. You may be treated to sightings of leopard, endemic purple face leaf monkey, black naped hare, fishing cat or civet cat. Bird watchers may want to look out for blue magpie, green billed coucal, Ceylon spur fowl and Sri Lankan jungle fowl. Interesting species of flora include: varieties of wild clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, durian, mango and breadfruit. The best time to visit the reserve is during the months of February and March.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
