Kitulgala Sri Lanka

An Overview of Kitulagala 

The snappy flowing of the Kelani River, the low country tea and the jungle-clad hills make Kitulgala a perfect holiday retreat for adventure sports lovers as well as for environmental enthusiasts. Kitulgala is also famous as it was one of the locations for the Academy Award winning film ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’. Kitulgala, which is in Sri Lanka's Sabaragamuwa Province, has one of the most beautiful river settings in the country. 

White Water Rafting in Kitulgala 

Whether it is white water rafting or camping near a stream, it would be an adventurous experience in Kitulgala. The Kelani River, which flows across Kitulgala, is one of the best rivers for white water rafting. On a usual trip, one can stay on the water for around two hours and you will experience about seven class 2-3 rapids. If you are an experienced rafter, you can enjoy the adrenaline rush of the more dangerous and difficult class 4-5 rapids. There are tour organisers like Xclusive Tours and Ceylon Adventures that arrange these trips. If you are not opting for the snappy waters of the Kelani River, there are a few safe spots for swimming as well, so one can enjoy the cool waters of the Kelani and have lunch or a picnic by a stream amidst the jungle-clad environment. 

For those environmental enthusiasts, Kitulgala offers an unspoilt rainforest environment with an abundance of endemic flora and fauna. If you are prepared for a long jungle hike and if you are equipped with footwear for trekking and leech repellent, the trekking experience will be enjoyable. But it is advisable to go trekking with a guide, and most hotels do offer guides. The area is perfect for jungle trekking as the hills are draped with a thick forest covering. 

Camping in Kitulgala 

Kitulgala is also a popular choice among campers as it offers falling-water campsites. If you are in an evergreen forest area filled with nocturnal sounds and the constant rush of the waterfalls, it will indeed be a magical and mystical experience. 

Bird watching is another activity that can be engaged in when in Kitulgala, and not just bird watching, but the sightings of endemic butterflies and amphibians will captivate many. Chestnut-backed owlet, red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka The hanging parrot and white-faced starling are some of the birds that can be seen in the area. In fact, 23 out of the 27 endemic birds in Sri Lanka could be spotted in these forests. Also, endangered fish and endemic butterfly species such as Tree Nymph, Red Helen, Blue Oak Leaf, and Tawny Raja adorn the Kitulgala greenery. One could also see endemic amphibians like the earless lizard, hump-nosed lizard, and many mammals such as wild boar, mouse deer, and the purple-faced leaf monkey in these evergreen thickets. 

Map of Kitulgala