Overview
Right in the heart of Kandy, Udawattakele is a 104-hectare urban tropical rainforest once used as the royal hunting reserve. Well-marked trails wind among giant mahogany trees, century-old banyans, and over 100 bird species and resident monkeys. Small waterfalls and a cave shrine inside the reserve let you escape city noise for 1-2 hours. Admission LKR 1,158 (foreigners). A 5-minute walk from the Temple of the Tooth.
Opening Hours
Daily 07:00-17:00
Travel Tips
Early mornings are best for bird-watching. Bring mosquito repellent and comfortable shoes.
Hotels near Udawattakele Forest Reserve
Hotels and guesthouses in Kandy, Kandy
Other attractions in Kandy
Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
Sri Lanka's holiest Buddhist site, enshrining a relic tooth of the Buddha. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Royal Botanical Gardens (Peradeniya)
A 60-hectare tropical botanical garden especially renowned for its orchid collection.
Kandy Lake
A man-made lake at the heart of the city, perfect for strolls and quiet reflection.
Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue
A 27 m white Buddha statue overlooking Kandy city.
Kandyan Dance Performance
Sri Lanka's traditional Kandyan dance performed nightly for visitors.
Kandy Municipal Market
Kandy's traditional market brimming with Sri Lankan spices and tropical fruit.
Embekka Devalaya
A 14th-century Hindu-Buddhist shrine famous for its intricate wood carvings.