Sri Lanka, the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, is blessed with much natural beauty. Almost one thousand five hundred kilometers of tropical beaches surround the island. Forests and mountains ideal for trekking in Sri Lanka, can be found in the inland areas. National parks around the country are home to wild animals, including several endemic species. Given the relatively small expanse of land, it is possible to travel across the country by land. Aitken Spence Travels offers tour packages for those who are looking for comfortable and convenient transport options.
Kanneliya Forest Reserve is a tropical low land rain forest belonging to the Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya Forest Complex or KDN. It takes up part of the Galle District, in the Southern Province. The area’s rich bio-diversity rivals even the great Sinharaja Rain Forest. The lush and diverse flora is distributed across hilly terrain, which is fed by a network of streams that have formed many scenic waterfalls at intervals. The plant life of Kanneliya was severely damaged in the 1970s due to heavy logging. Today, the vegetation has almost completely regrown and the land has regained much of its lost beauty.
Those who wish to visit the complex must arrange admission through the conservation center that is managed by the Forest Department, which has established a plan to manage and develop the forest. The ideal time for hiking in the Kanneliya Reserve is during March and April or August and September, when little rainfall is expected. There are two main hiking trails: one leads to the highest point of the reserve, while the other traces a number of points of interest. The last few months of the year bring heavy rains, this is when the waterfalls can be admired in all their glory. There are a few delightful natural pools if one is tempted to test the cool, refreshing waters.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+