Kanneliya Rainforest Trek
Photo: Kalindu ashirwada, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kanneliya is one of the more accessible rainforests from the South Coast: a reserve roughly an hour and a half from Galle, recognised as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, with enough dense forest and water to feel properly remote without a multi-day journey.
Looking to book? See where this stands and the closest bookable option.
What the trek involves
The listing we found in our research describes a six to eight hour guided day that includes a trek through the forest, a swim at a waterfall, and lunch. As with any day trip into a rainforest, expect uneven, sometimes slippery ground, leeches in wet conditions, and humidity.
Kanneliya or Sinharaja?
Both are rainforest reserves reachable as a day trip from the South Coast. Kanneliya is closer to Galle and tends to suit people who want a trek and a swim in one day; Sinharaja is the larger, better-known reserve. See our Sinharaja guide to compare.
What to bring
Closed shoes with grip, long light trousers, insect repellent, a change of clothes for after the swim, and enough water for the heat.
Practical tips
- Go in a drier month if you can, since heavy rain makes trails slippery and leeches more active.
- A guide is worth having for the wildlife and for finding your way.
- Leave valuables at your guesthouse.