7 Forests to Explore in Sri Lanka

Checkout places to visit in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

An island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean southwest of the Bay of Bengal and southeast of the Arabian Sea. It is geographically separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. Sri Lanka's documented history spans 3,000 years, with evidence of prehistoric human settlements dating back at least 125,000 years.

Activities Around

Forests to Explore in Sri Lanka

Bentota River Safari

It is two hours away from Colombo and is a place popular for water sports. The Bentota River is the third largest river in Sri Lanka. On this spectacular river safari, you can see crocodiles, snakes, bats, and lizards and you can ride the boat under the canopy of the mangroves.

Gal Oya Valley National Park

Gal Oya National Park, established in 1954 serves as the main catchment area to collecting water for Senanayake Samudraya, the largest lake in Sri Lanka. An important feature of the Gal Oya National Park is its elephant herd that can be seen throughout the year.

Hurulu Forest Reserve

Hurulu Forest Reserve of Sri Lanka designated in January 1977 as a biosphere reserve. The forest reserve is an essential habitat of the Sri Lankan elephant. Hurulu forest reserve represents Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen forests. Carved out at the Hurulu Forest Reserve edge is the Hurulu Eco Park, which offers jeep safaris.

Knuckles Mountain Range

Knuckles Mountain Range lies 39 km north of Kandy. This place has nature and wildlife. You can see groups of rare birds and wild animals, it is the ideal place for hiking and camping due to the climate and the nature that dominates the place.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

This is forest reserve is a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It has been designated as a Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. The reserve's name means the Lion Kingdom.

Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is located on the border of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces, south Sri Lanka. The national park was established to be a sanctuary for wild animals. It has the Udawalawa Elephant Orphanage- to rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves for release back into the wild.

Yala National Park

The park is the most visited and second-largest national park in the country. It is a vast forest, grassland, and lagoons bordering the Indian Ocean in southeast Sri Lanka. It is home for leopards, elephants, and crocodiles, as well as hundreds of bird species.

Map of Forests to explore in Sri Lanka