Sinharaja Forest Reserve Trekking
Overview
Situated in the South-central part of the island Sinharaja is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a World Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
It is said the rainforest was likely to have formed during the Jurassic era, from 200 million years to 145 million years ago. The hilly lowland virgin rainforest with dense vegetation and its inaccessibility saved it from the worst of commercial logging of the forest.
It encompasses an area of 36,000 hectares (139 sq. miles). The reserve is only 13 miles from east to west, and a maximum of 4.3 miles from north to south, the densest rain forest in Asia. A treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. It is home to 50% of Sri Lankan's endemic species especially butterflies, amphibians, birds, snakes, and fish species, it is also home to 95% of endemic birds.
The most common larger mammal is the endemic, purple-faced langur. Birds tend to move in mixed feeding flocks, invariably led by the fearless Sri Lanka Crested Drogo and the noisy Orange-billed Babbler. Of Sri Lanka's 26 endemic birds, the 20 rainforest species all occur here, including the elusive Red-faced Malkoha, Green-billed Coucal, and Sri Lanka Blue Magpie.
Reptiles include the endemic green pit viper and hump-nosed vipers, and there are a large variety of amphibians, especially tree frogs. Invertebrates include the endemic Sri Lankan birdwing butterfly and leeches.
You meet your local guide who will accompany you into the park and guide you into the area allowed to the public. Once you reach the second gate, you will leave your jeep behind and start walking along the trails which criss-cross the area. Some are well paved whilst others involve steep climbs and some clambering over fallen trees, you are advised to wear the leech socks provided.
