THE COMPLETE DESTINATION GUIDE
Discover Kitulgala
Kitulgala sits on the banks of the Kelani River as it descends from the surrounding hills, and the stretch of white water passing through town has made it the established centre for river rafting in Sri Lanka. Rafting trips here generally suit a range of experience levels, from relative beginners to more confident paddlers, with rapids of varying intensity along the course and calmer stretches in between that give a chance to simply enjoy the river scenery, framed by forested hillsides on both banks.
Beyond rafting, Kitulgala's surrounding rainforest offers a range of other outdoor activities, including canyoning, waterfall hikes and jungle walks, often arranged through the same operators that run the river trips. The area gained some international recognition as a filming location for the 1957 film The Bridge on the River Kwai, and remnants and references to this history are still pointed out by local guides, adding a small dose of cinema history to the outdoor activities.
The forest around Kitulgala forms part of the same wider wet-zone forest system that includes Sinharaja further south, and the area supports a good range of birdlife and other wildlife for travellers interested in a quieter forest walk rather than water-based activity. Its position between Colombo and the hill country makes Kitulgala a convenient stop for a day of adventure activity on a route heading up toward Kandy or Nuwara Eliya, rather than requiring a dedicated separate trip.
As with any water-based adventure activity, safety standards, equipment and current river conditions vary between operators, and it's worth choosing a reputable operator and confirming safety briefings before setting out.