Kitulgala or Kalani valley Forest Reserve is in the vicinity of the film location of the classic Bridge over river Kwai. We check into to the hotel located beside the river Kalani which is fascinating. Villages use a dugout canoe with an outrigger unique to the island, for ferrying across the river.

The Kalani Valley forest reserve is low country rain forest containing a host of endemic birds and other wildlife unique to the Island. Some of the birds are found around home gardens and will be a fascinating experience. One of the more sort after endemics is the Chestnut-backed Owlet, we will head in the direction to a known stakeout and then to the Serendib Scops Owl stakeout. The latter mentioned owl created a sensation in the birding world. Other endemic birds found here is the Yellow-fronted barbet, Ceylon small Barbet, Ceylon Spurfowl, Green-billed Coucal, Layard’s Parakeet, and the Ceylon Rufous Babbler to name a few.

As for mammals encountered commonly would be the Grizzled-tailed Giant Squirrel the endemic race to the island and the Red Slender Loris also endemic to the country.