Have you ever dreamed of walking through a real jungle – full of rare birds, giant trees, and peaceful rivers?
If yes, Sinharaja Rain Forest is calling you!
Located in the southwest of Sri Lanka, Sinharaja is the country’s last remaining stretch of primary tropical rainforest, and it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. This forest is famous for its rich biodiversity, rare species, and mystical beauty.
🌿 Planning the Journey – Finding the Perfect Stay in Sinharaja
To start this trip, the first step was finding a good rest house. Since I planned to visit Sinharaja Rainforest with my family, I wanted something special — a place where we could fully immerse ourselves in nature.
I began searching for accommodation inside the forest itself, hoping to make it a truly unforgettable experience. I already knew about one such place — Martin’s Lodge — a well-known rest house actually located within the Sinharaja Rainforest.
Without wasting time, I gave them a call to ask about prices and availability.
When I called Martin’s Lodge, they kindly told me the price for two people and explained their facilities. Unfortunately, they didn’t have enough rooms for us, and the price was a little higher than expected. They also explained why:
🚫 No vehicles allowed – The Forest Department doesn’t permit vehicles to reach Martin’s Lodge since it’s located deep inside the rainforest. Visitors must park at the entrance and walk about 1 km to get there.
🍲 Supplies carried by hand – All food and cooking essentials are brought in by hand, which adds to the cost.
The staff were super nice and told me about another option I didn’t even know existed — a Forest Department Circuit Bungalow near Martin’s Lodge. The best part? 🚙 If you book that one, you can drive right up to it through the main gate since the road is well-built.
I’m really thankful to the lady who shared that info with me. She couldn’t remember the exact bungalow name, so she suggested visiting the Forest Department head office to check.
📍 My mother went to the head office to inquire, but the booking officer wasn’t exactly sure which bungalows were inside the forest — she simply said, “All circuit bungalows are inside the forest.” So, my mother randomly chose one with enough space for us at a reasonable price.
It turned out to be the Kudawa Circuit Bungalow — and I’ll tell you all about it below.
🛤️ Trip Begins – Through Waddagala Entrance
We started our journey from Ratnapura, entering Sinharaja through the Waddagala entrance. On our first day, we stayed at the Kudawa Forest Circuit Bungalow, a peaceful government-run guesthouse that can be booked through the Department of Forest Conservation in Battaramulla.
🏡 Kudawa Circuit Bungalow – Simple, Comfortable, and Scenic
The bungalow is located next to a crystal-clear stream, perfect for a relaxing bath in nature. It’s a budget-friendly place with all the basic facilities. A friendly chef is available, and you only need to bring the ingredients. He’ll prepare delicious meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
🚗 The Kudawa Circuit Bungalow Experience
When we set off to find our booked Kudawa Circuit Bungalow, I honestly thought it was inside the Sinharaja main gate. So, I drove right up to the gate and asked about it.
Unfortunately, I was told the bungalow was outside the forest… and just like that, my hopes of staying deep inside Sinharaja were gone. 😅
I really think the Forest Department should be more careful about this — even the booking office should clearly know which bungalows are inside and which are outside.
Anyway, nothing to do but turn the vehicle around and go find the Kudawa Circuit Bungalow.
📍 Location: Right before the black iron bridge (I’ll mark it on the map for your reference).
🏠 About the Kudawa Circuit Bungalow
💰 Price (as of 2025-08-10): Rs. 8,500 for 10 people.
It’s an old facility, located near the main road and a small village.
Right below the bungalow flows a beautiful, crystal-clear water stream — perfect for a refreshing bath. That was definitely a highlight for me. 💧
Inside, they have:
- A big hall
- A spacious kitchen
- Large dining tables
- Enough facilities to host over 50 people
🛏 Rooms & Facilities
- Room No. 1: 3 bunker beds
- Room No. 2: A hall with no beds (as per the head office, so we skipped this one)
- Room No. 3: 2 bunker beds
✅ All rooms have attached bathrooms.
⚠️ Everything is old — especially the bunker beds. They make a lot of noise, and the ladders aren’t fixed, so be careful when climbing.
🚗 Parking:
Huge parking space — big enough to fit up to three Leyland buses comfortably.
💭 Final Thoughts
Overall, it’s an okay place for the price — not fancy, but functional. The stream adds a lot of charm, and if you’re with a group, it works well as a base to explore the area.
🛏️ More Places to Stay Near Sinharaja
The Department of Forest Conservation manages several circuit bungalows in the Sinharaja area. Some of these are located just outside the forest, while a few are located inside the forest gates themselves. Before booking, it’s a good idea to check with the Forest Department’s Circuit Bungalow Booking Office for availability and exact locations.
👉 One special place to remember is Vihanga Kadalla Circuit Bungalow, which is located inside the rainforest itself, offering a more immersive nature experience.
In addition to government-run bungalows, there’s also a private guesthouse inside the forest called Martin’s Lodge. It’s a simple but charming place for nature lovers who want to stay deep inside the forest.
🚗 Important note: Vehicles can only reach up to the main forest entrance and the nearby government bungalows.
If you book Martin’s Lodge, you’ll need to carry your bags by hand along a forest path to get there. So, pack light and be ready for a little walk through nature!
🚗 Parking & Facilities at the Main Entrance
The main entrance at Kudawa has a large car park, suitable even for big tour buses. So don’t worry if you’re coming with a group or in a large vehicle — there’s plenty of space.
🌳 Into the Rainforest – The Real Adventure Begins
On the second day, we entered Sinharaja through the Doranalla entrance. Before starting, you must select a trail and inform your licensed forest guide, who will explain everything you see along the way.
🥾 Popular Hiking Trails in Sinharaja:
- Mulawella – 4.1 km
- Halmandiya Dola – 4.2 km
- Giant Nawada Tree – 3.6 km (our trail)
- Wathurawa Access Road – 3.4 km
- Sinhagala – 11 km (most challenging)
- Gallenyaya – 6 km
🔔 If you plan to take the Sinhagala Trail, arrive the day before and book your guide early. It’s a 22 km round trip, so start early in the morning.
We chose the Giant Nawada Tree trail, which is the most common and has a moderate hike. Walking under giant green trees, listening to birds, and feeling the fresh air – it’s a magical experience you can’t describe in words.
🦜 Wildlife and Nature – A Living Classroom
Sinharaja is home to:
- 95% of Sri Lanka’s endemic birds, including the Sri Lanka blue magpie, red-faced malkoha, and green-billed coucal
- Endemic reptiles like the green pit viper
- Colourful butterflies like the Sri Lankan birdwing
- Mysterious tree frogs, leeches, and hundreds of rare plants
You may not see large animals easily because of the thick forest, but the whole place is alive with sounds and colours.
🐘 A Word of Caution – Wild Elephants in Sinharaja
While Sinharaja is known for its peaceful beauty and rare species, it’s also home to two very large wild elephants. These elephants are rarely seen, but they have been known to be aggressive, and unfortunately, there have been incidents of attacks on villagers in the past.
⚠️ Safety Tip:
- Always stay with your official guide inside the forest.
- Avoid wandering off alone, especially in deep forest areas.
- Follow all instructions given by the forest department staff.
Sinharaja is wild and untouched — which is part of its charm — but it also means you must respect nature and stay alert at all times.
🧪 A Stop at the Sinharaja Research Centre
We also visited the Sinharaja Research Centre, a quiet and informative place still in operation. It’s worth stopping by to learn more about the forest’s history and ongoing conservation efforts.
The Giant Nawada Tree trail normally doesn’t include a visit to the Sinharaja Research Centre, but our guide was so kind that he took us there anyway.
On the way, he shared his own story — how he joined the Department of Forest Conservation and started working as a volunteer in the research team. He has participated in many studies with professors and university students, so he knows an impressive amount about the forest, even the scientific names of plants and animals. Having such a knowledgeable guide made the experience extra special.
When we arrived at the Research Centre, it was quiet — no one was actively conducting research at that time — but he explained that it is still occasionally used. The facility is old, but surrounded by beautiful and rare fruit trees.
The guide also told me a fascinating story about giant elephants in Sinharaja. In the past, there were two of them reported. Recently, only one was being seen, so many thought the other had died or moved elsewhere. But surprisingly, the second one was spotted again not long ago.
These elephants are said to be larger than typical Sri Lankan elephants. At the Research Centre, there’s even a preserved concrete footprint of one of them, with the date marked above it. If you visit, you can easily spot it and see for yourself just how massive these creatures are.
When we finished our Sinharaja visit, I gave our guide a nice tip 💰 as a thank-you for showing us so many amazing places and explaining everything in such detail. He truly made the trip more memorable.
Sinharaja Giant Nawada Tree Trekking GPS coordinates 🎒🏕️📸
For your reference, I will put the Sinharaja Giant Nawada Tree Trekking route GPS coordinates in GPX format.
⚠️ Important Notes for Visitors
- Do not take anything from the forest – even a single flower.
- Do not damage any plant or tree.
- Drones are strictly not allowed.
- Stay quiet and do not shout – respect the animals and other visitors.
🧴 How to Protect Yourself from Leeches
Sinharaja is a rainforest — so yes, leeches are common, especially after rain. But don’t worry! Here are some handy tips:
- Leech socks are available at the entrance, but they can be a bit pricey.
- You can also visit a local shop in the Kudawa area and ask for leech-protective soap — it’s cheaper and effective.
- Or, try my personal method! I always prepare a natural leech repellent by mixing:
🧴 Dettol + 🌿 Citronella oil (Pagiri thel) in 1:1 ratio
Just apply it to your legs, shoes, and socks before entering the forest.
This homemade mix works well and keeps the leeches away — a simple and cost-effective solution for your hike!
💧 Duwili Ella – Sinharaja Forest
After our Sinharaja forest visit, we returned to Kudawa Circuit Bungalow.
Although the check-out time was 10 AM (since new visitors were coming), they kindly let us use one room to store our bags.
We initially thought of bathing in the water stream near the bungalow, but villagers suggested a better spot — Duwili Ella inside Sinharaja Forest.
🛣 Getting There
- The road is a super-narrow concrete track, with a steep drop on one side and a mountain on the other.
- Two vehicles can barely pass at certain points.
- Drive carefully, especially on the hilly sections.
📍 Important Navigation Note
- The Duwili Ella access road is NOT marked on Google Maps.
- I forgot to start my navigation trail, so I don’t have the exact GPS route.
- I’ll create a rough sketch map to show the correct road for reference.
🚗 Parking
- There is a signboard pointing to Duwili Ella.
- No roadside parking is available right there.
- Private parking nearby — Rs. 150 (last updated 2025-08-10).
- Park there and walk back to the signboard.
🏞 Access
- A concrete staircase with a handrail leads safely down to the falls.
- Plenty of shallow areas to bathe — the only deep spot is directly under the waterfall.
- Water is clear, clean, and refreshing.
⚠ Safety Notes:
- Rocks can be extremely slippery — walk with caution.
- Do not litter or damage the environment.
🌿 Why You Should Visit Sinharaja
Sinharaja is not just a forest. It’s a living, breathing world full of wonder, peace, and mystery. Whether you’re a nature lover, adventure seeker, or someone looking to reconnect with nature, this place will stay in your heart forever.
So, pack your bags, grab your hiking shoes, and let Sinharaja show you the wild side of Sri Lanka’s natural beauty.
📚 Want to Learn More?
If you’re curious to learn more about the global importance of Sinharaja Rain Forest, check out the official UNESCO World Heritage listing:
🔗 Sinharaja Forest Reserve – UNESCO World Heritage Site
This page includes detailed information about Sinharaja’s biodiversity, conservation status, and why it’s recognised as a world treasure.
Sinharaja Rain Forest live weather update 🛰️
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Plan Your Visit with Our Interactive Map
Plan Your Adventure: Explore Our Interactive Map!
To make your journey even easier, check out our interactive map, where we’ve marked all these amazing destinations. Use it to plan your trip and discover more hidden gems in Sri Lanka!
