Sinharaja Forest Reserve offers a completely different experience from Sri Lanka’s dry-zone safari parks. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a lush tropical rainforest filled with towering trees, dense vegetation, streams and an extraordinary variety of plant and animal life. Rather than searching for large mammals from a safari vehicle, Sinharaja is best experienced on foot with a knowledgeable guide, following forest trails in search of colourful birds, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and other endemic species. The rainforest remains green throughout the year, although rainfall can be heavy; the relatively drier periods around January–March and August–September can be more comfortable for hiking, depending on local weather conditions.
