Kithulgala Wet Zone Rainforest, Sri Lanka
Kithulgala (Kelani Valley Forest Reserve) was established to protect the watershed of the Kelani River. It is home to many of Sri Lanka’s endemic fauna and flora. Kithulgala is more widely known as the location for the filming of ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’.
Getting There
Wild Life
A good number of endemic birds including the Spot-winged Thrush, Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Ceylon Spurfowl, Ceylon Rufous Babbler, Ceylon Scimitar Babbler and Ceylon Frogmouth. Mammals include Grizzled Indian Squirrel and Layard’s Striped Squirrel. The streams hold endemic fish and amphibians and the Earless Lizard is frequently seen.
Park Accomodations
The Kithulgala Rest House and Plantation Hotel have hot water showers, etc. Rafter’s Retreat and Sisira’s River Lounge are more rustic.
Source: Sri Lanka National Parks & Reserves by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, published by Jetwing Eco Holidays.
