Sri Lanka’s adventure heartland – a lush, jungle-clad river town on the Kelani Ganga where the island’s best white-water rafting runs through Grade 2 and 3 rapids in a setting of extraordinary tropical forest beauty. The river here was famously used as the filming location for the original Bridge on the River Kwai, and beyond rafting, Kitulgala supports excellent birdwatching in the surrounding lowland rainforest, jungle trekking, and a network of natural pools and waterfall swimming spots that make it one of the most physically exhilarating and naturally beautiful destinations on any adventure-led Sri Lanka itinerary.