Tour Guide, Galle, Sri Lanka
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Kanneliya Rain Forest
Kannelya rain forest is just one of the Galle's many landmarks to discover. Tourists who are seeking adventure-based tourism locations in Sri Lanka tour in down south, the Kanneliya rain forest is an ideal place for that. Probably it is more appropriate for a natural fresh water bath, Hiking, waterfalls and beautiful landscapes. It is a lowland forest extends about 5306 ha. Galle consists of many major forest reservation complexes. Namely Sinharaja, Kanneliya, Dediyagala and Nakiyadeniya (KDN Complex), Kottawa, etc. Kanneliya Rain Forest located about 36 km to the northeast from Galle. And also it is a tropical rain forest in Galle district. The mean annual rainfall is around 3750 mm. Kanneliya Rain Forest is well enriched with biodiversity. It may be second listed just because of the Sinharaja Forest.
Kanneliya Rain Forest is one of the most attractive tourist site in Galle district, Sri Lanka. If you visit is the place you can visit these places and share the experience.
* Cave Trail – Distance: 1.6 km, time 1 hour.
* Anagimala Ella Trail – Distance: 2.5 km, time 3 hours.
* Elephant Creeper (Yodha Puswela) Trail – Distance: 2.5 km, time 3 hours.
* Narangas Ella Trail – Distance: 5.4 km, time 6 hours.
* Giant Nawada Tree Trail – Distance: 3.8 km, time 3 hours.
* Kabbale Mountain Trail – 5.5 km, time 6 hours – considered the most difficult trek from all.
You want to take an entrance ticket and hire a Kanneliya Guide then you can enter this natural forest. In additionally Kanneliya rainforest ideal for a fresh water bath. You can see freshwater fish (Some fish are endemic to Sri Lanka).
Kanneliya rain forest occupied the interfluves between two rivers, the Nilwala Ganga and Gin Ganga. If consist of a series of ridges and valleys and elevation ranges from 60 – 425 m above mean sea level. The mean monthly temperature is around 27°c with a diurnal range of 4°c-5°c. Maximum temperature has been recorded from mid-March to mid-May. ‘Gin Ganga’ river is the main water supplement to the Kanneliya forest. Multitudes of endemic plants are preserved in the forest. As the forest is comprised with many attractions, you don’t have to investigate whole the area as they can be reached easily. The Anagimale fall is just 2 km from the entrance. By the way, several forest conservation projects are carrying out to preserve this natural diversity. Hence ward the forest department is also supporting them. Due to a reforestation program carried out in early 1970’s has recovered a little. It is evident that once you harmed to the environment it takes more time to be recovered.
December to February is the most suitable months to travel as it gets the highest rainfall. Usually, the streams are running with their full force of water through the jungle and create beautiful cascades and sceneries. It will make you sense. You can bath in cool natural streams. Eventually, it will energize you. Somehow you will have to take care of leeches. Bring some lime with you and if you are beaten, put few drops on the leech and it will leave you at once. Some of the popular pools located in the forest are the natural pool behind the Kanneliya forest resort, the pool in front of the Kanneliya Conservation Centre (KCC) and the pool behind the KCC. Tourists looking for hiking are encouraged to visit the forest during the months of March or April as it may get reduced the rainfall. There are two traces used for hiking. You can select either route to Kabbale Mountain or the route through ‘Narangas’ Ella. The gigantic ‘Navada’ tree is on the same way. A panoramic view of the entire area can be entertained at the top of the Kabbale hill. The light filtered through the forest canopy and tree leaves are unmemorable.
Public access to Kanneliya is allowed through the forest department managed conservation center located close to Galle-Udugama-Neliwa road at Koralegama, Panangala
Route1:
Colombo -> Kalutara (Katukurunda) [45km on A2] -> Nagoda [3km on B008] -> Mathugama [5km on B308 & 11km on B8] -> Horawala [5km on B3] -> Moragala [7km] -> Palewatta [8km on B3] -> Pitigala [10km on B3] -> Udugama [24km via Mapalagama] -> Panangala [6km on B156] ->Koralegama -> Kanneliya Conservation Centre [2km](approximately 125km)
Route2:
Colombo -> Galle [120km on A2] ->Udugama [40km] ->Panangala [6km on B156] ->Koralegama -> Kanneliya Conservation Centre [2km] (approximately 165km)
Entrance Tickets
Before entering the Kanneliya rain forest the tourists have to pay for entrance ticket from forest department side office. Entrance ticket value and add 11% VAT (Value Added Tax) for total ticket value. Foreign tourist ticket values are given below.
Entrance Tickets
Category Ticket value (Rs.) VAT Total Ticket value (Rs)
Foreign Adult 575/= + 11% 638.25
Foreign Child 290/= + 11% 321.90
Source: Kanneliya Side Office – Forest Department
Kanneliya rainforest guides charges
With the entrance tickets, the tourists have to pay Kanneliya guides fee also. As a community base tourism government introduce and established Kanneliya guide association. After this association, village people can give their contribution to protect the Kanneliya rain forest and additionally the village people can earn additional income to their earning.
Kanneliya Rain Forest Guide Charges. Path Value (Rs.)
Up to Anagimala Ella path 800/=
Up to Narangas Ella path 1600/=
Up to Kunakatukanda path 1600/=
Kambalekanda path 1600/=
Up to Nawadagasa path 1600/=
Kanneliya Side Office – Forest Department.
We warmly welcome you to visit Kanneliya Rain Forest and share Sri Lankan Nature experience.