Kandy

Udawattakele Forest Sanctuary Walk

Duration1.5–2.5 hours

Activity Overview

Discover

Activity Overview

Udawattakele Forest Reserve is an ancient royal forest that sits immediately above the Temple of the Tooth in central Kandy, a 104-hectare patch of montane forest that the Kandyan kings maintained as …

  • Kandy, Central Province
  • 1.5–2.5 hours
  • Royal Forest Above Kandy
What to Expect

Discover

What to Expect

Entry fee applies at the main gate. The trails are well-marked and safe for independent walking, but a birding guide significantly enhances the experience.

What it is

Udawattakele Forest Sanctuary Walk — the full experience

Udawattakele Forest Reserve is an ancient royal forest that sits immediately above the Temple of the Tooth in central Kandy, a 104-hectare patch of montane forest that the Kandyan kings maintained as a private retreat and hunting ground, now a Wildlife Sanctuary managed by the Forest Department. The reserve is laced with well-maintained walking trails through dense forest where purple-faced langurs, highland toque macaques, and endemic birds including the Sri Lanka hanging parrot, yellow-fronted barbet, and Layard's parakeet are regularly encountered within minutes of entering the jungle.

The elevation above the city (570 metres) provides cool shaded walking and a remarkable contrast with the hot, busy streets of Kandy below.

Shorta Tours arranges Udawattakele Forest Sanctuary Walk as part of a tailored private itinerary, providing expert guides, comfortable private transfers, and hand-picked operators to ensure a seamless and truly memorable experience.

  • Nature
  • Birding
  • Kandy
Udawattakele Forest Sanctuary Walk — the full experience
Udawattakele Forest Sanctuary Walk — the full experience

Where

Where it is in Sri Lanka

Udawattakele lies immediately north of Kandy's Temple of the Tooth complex, reached by a 10-minute walk from the lake or a short tuk-tuk ride to the main gate on Rajapihilla Mawatha. The reserve is within 1 km of all central Kandy hotels and can be visited as an early morning walk before the heat builds.

It combines naturally with the Temple of the Tooth, the Royal Palace museum, and a Kandy Lake walk into a full half-day.

Shorta Tours provides private transfers to Udawattakele Forest Sanctuary Walk from any base in Sri Lanka, coordinating timings to maximise enjoyment and minimise travel fatigue.

  • Kandy
  • Central Province
  • 1.5–2.5 hours
Where it is in Sri Lanka
Where it is in Sri Lanka

History

When it began and why it matters

Udawattakele has been a protected forest since the Kandyan Kingdom, when it served as a royal pleasure ground and was prohibited to commoners. The forest's sanctity was reinforced by the presence of Buddhist monasteries within its boundaries — rock cave retreats used by forest-dwelling monks since the early centuries CE — some of which are still inhabited today.

The British colonial administration classified the forest as a Crown Forest Reserve in 1856, and it was subsequently gazetted as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938, making it one of the earliest formally protected forests in Sri Lanka.

Today, Udawattakele Forest Sanctuary Walk remains one of the highlights of visiting Central Province, drawing guests from around the world who seek its unique combination of history, nature, and authentic Sri Lankan character.

  • nature / birding
  • Central Province
  • Heritage
When it began and why it matters
When it began and why it matters

Why famous

Why travellers seek it out

Udawattakele is celebrated by birdwatchers and urban naturalists as one of the most accessible and species-rich forest walks in Sri Lanka: within 30 minutes of the city centre, a guest can be standing in dense forest watching purple-faced langurs feed overhead and endemic birds sing from the canopy. The forest's ancient connection to Kandyan royal life adds cultural depth to what might otherwise seem a simple nature walk.

For travellers staying in Kandy who prefer not to tackle a major hike, Udawattakele provides genuine wilderness experience in a compact, safe, and beautifully maintained reserve.

The ideal time to visit is year-round, when conditions are at their finest and wildlife or weather cooperates most reliably with the experience.

  • Nature
  • Birding
  • Kandy
Why travellers seek it out
Why travellers seek it out

Visit

Can you visit — practical tips

Entry fee applies at the main gate. The trails are well-marked and safe for independent walking, but a birding guide significantly enhances the experience.

Shorta Tours arranges early morning guided walks with naturalists who know the reserve's endemic species locations.

Essential items to pack: Comfortable walking shoes, binoculars, camera, insect repellent, water, light rain jacket..

  • Open to visitors
  • Kandy
  • 1.5–2.5 hours
Can you visit — practical tips
Can you visit — practical tips

Book with STS

Book Udawattakele Forest Sanctuary Walk in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Escape into the ancient Udawattakele royal forest reserve above Kandy, where shaded jungle paths wind past endemic birds, giant squirrels, and macaques just minutes from the city centre. Shorta Tours Sri Lanka arranges this 1.5–2.5 hours experience in Kandy with licensed local guides, hotel pickup where available, and equipment included. Perfect as a standalone booking or added to any private round tour.

  • Expert guides who know Kandy
  • Duration: 1.5–2.5 hours — flexible start times
  • Safety briefing and tickets arranged for you
  • Combine with chauffeur tours across the island
  • We reply within 24 hours — fastest on WhatsApp
Kandy 1.5–2.5 hours
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