Kitulgala is a nature destination in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. It suits travellers interested in outdoor activities, forest areas, waterfalls, mountain scenery and archaeological sites. Belilena Cave is a key attraction, with evidence of human presence dating back thousands of years and the status of an archaeological reserve. The surrounding area also has named waterfalls, the Makandawa forest and the seven-peaked Saptha Kanya mountain range. Adventure travellers can look for white-water rafting experiences connected with Kitulgala. The Kelani Bridge offers a viewpoint, while the waterfalls provide places of natural interest. Kitulgala works best for visitors who want a mix of active outings and visits to natural or archaeological attractions, rather than a destination focused mainly on urban sightseeing.
January to March and June to August are the preferred months. These periods generally have some rain, while October to December is wetter, with November receiving heavy rain.
January: 95 mm of rain, some rain (good time to go)
February: 91 mm of rain, some rain (good time to go)
March: 101 mm of rain, some rain (good time to go)
April: 168 mm of rain, rainy
May: 232 mm of rain, rainy
June: 102 mm of rain, some rain (good time to go)
July: 90 mm of rain, some rain (good time to go)
August: 120 mm of rain, some rain (good time to go)
September: 157 mm of rain, rainy
October: 270 mm of rain, rainy
November: 319 mm of rain, heavy rain
December: 219 mm of rain, rainy
How to reach Kitulgala
By air: Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB), about 62 km from Kitulgala in a straight line
By train: Hatton railway station, about 23 km from Kitulgala in a straight line