Sihnaraja Rainforest

Now for our visit to Sinharaja.

This National Park contains some of the only remaining rainforest in Sri Lanka. Large parts of it are unmodified, though some of it was logged then replanted. There is a huge array of wildlife there, but the only trouble is seeing it through the dense jungle! The leeches are also a pest and fellow CWW volunteers have written about them too.

I will concentrate on some of the more pleasing aspects of the place.

The view on approach shows tea plantations in the foreground and the misty mountains which make up the park behind.

Our guide, Bandulla, is an expert on the plants and wildlife in the reserve. He has been studying and observing them all his life.

This dragonfly pauses for a rest by the path just outside the park.

The sign tells you that you are approaching one of Sri Lanka’s World Heritage Sites.

We saw these blue-tailed bee eaters near the footpath.

Once inside the park you have to watch your feet. Here Norny negotiates a small wobbly wooden bridge.

This primitive plant is called Seliginalla.

The Kangaroo lizard (Agame Feltata) has very strong back legs. This one stayed still long enough for me to snap it.

The hump-nosed lizard (Liriosepalas Scutatus) – apparently it makes an amazing display when startled, but this one was very relaxed!

We crossed the Ging-Ganga River by rope ferry.

Later we swam with the other volunteers in the Kekuna Ella falls.

This is the Sinharaja Rest in Deniyaya, where Norny and I stayed. Bandulla was kind enough to show us his organic vegetable patch as well!