Udawatta Kele Sanctuary

It is a beautiful rainforest just behind the Temple of Tooth, though the entrance is a little far away. I was amazed that there is such a beautiful and thick forest in the heart of such a city. You have to buy a ticket to go in which is just LKR 75 for the residents of Sri Lanka. There are beautiful paths through the forest and they are just beautiful. Usually there are not many visitors and so you can get a very peaceful nature walk listening only to the sounds of nature. Sometimes I found some monkeys asking the way and so I carried a stick with me. Once I also spotted a few deers. If you go after a rain, you'll find leeches crawling up to you. I tried the Kodimala peak, but it was not worth the climb and there were many leeches. In short, if you are a nature lover, this is one of the best places to visit in Kandy. You can make a round in less than two hours.

Peaceful and refreshing place with lots of greenery. Ticket for locals is only LKR 75. Nice viewpoint over Kandy city, plus you can spot birds, deer, and monkeys. Great walking routes with benches to relax and enjoy nature.

Loved it. Saw a lot of monkeys and a couple of deer. The trees are pretty amazing. I wouldn't bother with the cave, just a rock on top of a run-down building.

this era Kandy was called as Senkadagala. This name came into being due to a Brahmin named Senkanda, who lived in a cave at Udawattakele during that era. During the Kandyan Kingdom, this forest area behind the palace was called Uda wasala watta or the 'Upper Palace Garden' frequented by the royalty and was out of bound to the people. Since the downfall of the Kandyan Kingdom in 1815, this forest area started to loose it's pristine condition due to wood cutting etc. The condition of the forest deteriorated due to human activities and in 1856, the Government declared it as a Forest Reserve and later in 1938, it was made a sanctuary. The Kandy Lake gets it's water resourses mainly from this forest's catchment areas. This precious forest area supplies the much needed air purification activity to the Kandy city which is enclaved by several hills.

A true forest escape in the middle of Kandy! 🌳🌿 Udawatta Kele Sanctuary is a historic national forest reserve that gives you an authentic forest vibe — tall trees, thick greenery, and the sounds of nature all around. Just minutes away from the Temple of the Tooth, yet it feels like you’ve stepped deep into the wilderness. Tickets are very affordable (Rs. 75 for locals) and Rs. 930 for foreigners. The walking trails are shaded and peaceful, with plenty of birds, monkeys, and plants to see. It’s best to visit in the morning or evening for cooler weather. Carry water and wear comfy shoes since some paths are uphill. If you’re a couple, a family, or simply someone who loves nature, this sanctuary is the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with the forest atmosphere. A must-visit in Kandy! 🍃✨

Udawatta Kele Wildlife Sanctuary is a hidden gem in Kandy! The lush greenery, serene walking trails, and diverse wildlife make it a perfect escape from the city's hustle. I had an amazing experience exploring the peaceful forest, spotting monkeys, birds, and even a few deer along the way. The well-maintained paths lead to breathtaking viewpoints overlooking Kandy. It’s an excellent place for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone seeking tranquillity. Highly recommend visiting early in the morning for the best experience!

Sacred Sanctuary where you can really understand and learn the art of budism and how it started. Make sure you go early enough cause it get full easily.

930 LKR entry fee. You wouldn’t believe this place is in the busy Kandy centre. It’s so peaceful walking no around surrounded by nature. We saw turtles, pigs(!!!) and monkeys. The view of Kandy is lovely. You could spend hours here strolling around. We were there for about 1.5 hours and still didn’t walk around it all but we were taking photos and walking slow lol. 10/10 recommend this place.