The Kelani river is wide at Kitulgala, but it is shallow apart from a deep channel near the opposite bank, so in the drier months it provides a safe and attractive place to swim, wash and play.

Sri Lanka's most recently discovered bird, the Serendib scops owl was originally heard calling by Deepal Warakagoda in these forests.

The solitary fishtail palm, Caryota urens, which is called kitul in Sri Lanka, gives rise to the town's name.

This area has most of the rainforest bird species that are found at the World Biosphere Reserve at Sinharaja, although in lower numbers.

However, the secondary forest and cultivation at Kitulgala is more open than the pristine woodlands of Sinharaja, and elusive endemic species like Sri Lanka spurfowl, green-billed coucal and spot-winged thrush may be easier to see.