Quick answer
The best places to visit in Sri Lanka's Sabaragamuwa Province are Sinharaja rainforest for endemic birds and wildlife; Ratnapura for gems and the Maha Saman Devalaya; Kitulgala for rafting on the Kelani River; Belihuloya for rivers and waterfalls; Bopath Ella falls; the Belilena prehistoric cave; Udawalawe National Park on its southern edge; and the long Ratnapura trail up Adam's Peak. It is wet much of the year, wettest roughly May to September.
Key takeaways
- Sabaragamuwa has two districts: Ratnapura and Kegalle.
- It is one of the wettest provinces, so expect rain and very green landscapes.
- Sinharaja straddles Sabaragamuwa and the Southern Province; Kudawa is the Sabaragamuwa entrance.
- Ratnapura means city of gems, and gem mining still shapes the landscape.
- Udawalawe National Park lies partly in Sabaragamuwa and partly in Uva.
The wet south-west slopes
Sri Lanka's Sabaragamuwa Province climbs from the lowlands east of Colombo to the slopes below Adam's Peak and the southern hills. It is the heart of the wet zone: rivers, paddy, rubber, tea at lower altitudes and patches of rainforest. Its rain is the reason its landscapes are so green and its waterfalls so numerous.
Kegalle district, in the north, sits on the main road between Colombo and Kandy and holds Kitulgala and Pinnawala. Ratnapura district, in the south, holds the gem country, Sinharaja's northern entrance and the plains around Udawalawe. The Balangoda area has given its name to Balangoda Man, the island's prehistoric people.
- →Kegalle district: Kitulgala, Belilena, Pinnawala, Dedigama.
- →Ratnapura district: Ratnapura, Sinharaja (Kudawa), Belihuloya, Bopath Ella.
- →Southern edge: Udawalawe and the Samanalawewa reservoir.
Sinharaja rainforest
Sinharaja is Sri Lanka's most important rainforest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the best place on the island to see endemic birds, often in mixed feeding flocks moving through the canopy, as well as endemic lizards, frogs and the purple-faced langur.
The Kudawa entrance, reached via Kalawana in Ratnapura district, is the most popular. Guided walks are compulsory and leeches are part of the experience, so wear leech socks and set off early, when birds are most active.
Stay at least one night near the entrance so you can walk in the early morning. Day trips from the coast spend too long in the car to see much.
- →Kudawa: the main Sabaragamuwa entrance.
- →Best time: early morning with a local guide.
- →Bring leech socks and rain gear.
Ratnapura and the gem country
Ratnapura, the city of gems, has been a centre of sapphire, ruby and other gem mining for centuries. You can visit small pit mines in the paddy fields, where miners wash gravel in baskets, and see cutting and polishing in workshops. Approach any buying with caution and a reputable dealer.
The Maha Saman Devalaya, a shrine to the god of Adam's Peak, is the town's main religious site. Bopath Ella, a waterfall shaped like a Bo leaf near Kuruwita, and the prehistoric Batadombalena cave are nearby.
Ratnapura is also the starting area for the long, steep and much quieter trail up Adam's Peak via Palabaddala, used mostly by pilgrims rather than tourists.
- →Gem mines and workshops.
- →Maha Saman Devalaya.
- →Bopath Ella and Batadombalena.
Kitulgala, Belihuloya and the rivers
Kitulgala, on the Kelani River, is Sri Lanka's centre for white-water rafting, with grade two to three rapids that suit beginners. The village is also known for birdwatching in its forest and as a filming location for The Bridge on the River Kwai. Nearby, Belilena cave has yielded some of the oldest human remains found in South Asia.
Belihuloya, on the road between Ratnapura and the hills, is a riverside village of boulders, pools and small waterfalls, a cool stop on the way to Ella or Haputale. Bambarakanda, Sri Lanka's tallest waterfall, lies just across the border in Uva.
Pinnawala, near Kegalle, has an elephant orphanage that attracts large numbers of visitors. Its welfare record is debated, and many travellers now prefer to see elephants in the wild at Udawalawe or Minneriya.
When to visit and how to fit it in
Sabaragamuwa is wet much of the year. The south-west monsoon brings the heaviest rain roughly May to September, and showers are common in other months too. The best rafting at Kitulgala is usually when river levels are moderate, so check conditions locally.
Kitulgala is roughly two to three hours from Colombo and fits well on the way to Hatton or Nuwara Eliya. Sinharaja's Kudawa entrance is roughly three to four hours from Colombo or the south coast. Ratnapura sits on the road from Colombo to Udawalawe and Ella.
Lankan Stays & Trails often routes travellers through Sabaragamuwa on the way between the hills and the south: Ella, Belihuloya, Sinharaja, then the coast, which turns a long drive into three interesting stops.
- →Kitulgala from Colombo: roughly two to three hours.
- →Sinharaja (Kudawa): stay one night nearby.
- →Wettest months: roughly May to September.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sabaragamuwa famous for?
Sabaragamuwa is famous for its gem mines around Ratnapura, its rainforest at Sinharaja, rafting at Kitulgala and its many rivers and waterfalls. It is also the province where the Ratnapura trail up Adam's Peak begins and where Balangoda Man, Sri Lanka's prehistoric people, were identified.
Is Ratnapura worth visiting?
Ratnapura is worth visiting for travellers interested in gems, local religious sites and waterfalls. A visit to a gem pit and workshop is unusual and memorable. It suits a stop of a few hours between Colombo and Udawalawe or the hills, or a night with Sinharaja.
Which Sinharaja entrance is best?
The Kudawa entrance in Sabaragamuwa is the most popular for birders and the most visited. The Deniyaya side, entered at Pitadeniya or Morningside in the Southern Province, is quieter and closer to the south coast. Both need a local guide and an early start.
Is Kitulgala rafting suitable for beginners?
Kitulgala rafting is suitable for beginners, as most trips run grade two to three rapids with safety briefings and helmets. Check the operator's equipment and guide qualifications, and confirm river levels on the day, as heavy rain can make the river unsafe.
Should I visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage?
Pinnawala is popular, but its welfare practices are debated, including chained elephants and crowded bathing sessions. Many travellers prefer to see elephants in the wild at Udawalawe or Minneriya, or at the Elephant Transit Home near Udawalawe, which returns orphans to the wild.
How do I get to Sabaragamuwa?
Sabaragamuwa is reached easily from Colombo. Kitulgala is roughly two to three hours by road and Ratnapura roughly two to three hours. Sinharaja's Kudawa entrance and Belihuloya are roughly three to four hours. The province sits between Colombo, the hills and Udawalawe.