The Sabaragamuwa Province covers the south western part also known as the wet zone.  Located in the western foothills of the central highlands, this is a area with tropical rainforests, winding rivers and an undulating terrain.  Rice, rubber, tea and fruit is cultivated here.  The area is also famous for its precious gemstones. Some of Sabaragamuwa’s popular destinations include Kitulgala, a hotspot for adventure activities, the Sinharaja Rainforest and Ratnapura.

The quaint village of Kitulgala owes its popularity to the Kelani River which offers exciting Grade 3 and Grade 4 rafting. Two hour rafting trips can be arranged through jungle-clad mountains and plantations growing low-country tea and rubber. The breathtaking scenery was used for the filming of the classic Oscar-winning movie “The Bridge Over the River Kwai” is breathtaking. Aside from being a key location for rafting and canoeing, Kitugala offers some interesting walks, especially for wildlife enthusiasts. The best accommodation includes Paradise Farm and River Resort.

Ratnapura, the `city of gems’, is located close to Kitugala and is home to a long-established gem industry.  It is here that villagers from the surrounding gem fields gather to sell their precious stones to local gem merchants, international traders and tourists. Blue sapphires, rubies, cat’s eyes and a myriad of semi-precious stones are all mined by hand. You will see paddy fields scattered with basic mud huts covered with coconut leaf thatched roofs, the gateways to deep gem pits. At the river beds you see villagers with concave baskets sifting through the soil in search of precious stones.  Ratnapura town is filled with gem boutiques with workshop where the coarse stones are cut and polished.

• Ratnapura Gems - Home to a thriving gem and jewelry industry that dates back to ancient times, Ratnapura, meaning the city of gems, has been a vital source of precious and semi-precious stones that gem buyers from the world over flock to. Gems are still mined using traditional techniques.
  
• Sinharaja Rainforest - Moist and muggy, murky and mysterious – an experience of Sinharaja is like nothing else in Sri Lanka. Trekking through this magnificent jungle, the last surviving stretch of virgin rainforest on the island, be ready to pour with sweat as they make their way through a bewildering land of exotic colours and wonderful sounds. From top to bottom the forest is teeming with life whether it be gushing waterfalls, gurgling streams, ants marching, leaves rustling, leeches waiting (you’ve been warned!), crickets creaking or butterflies fluttering by. Exploring Sinharaja is one of Sri Lanka’s true rewards.
  
• White Water Rafting - Experience the thrills and spills of an exciting rafting adventure in a jungle paradise. Rafting mixes the ups and downs of rapids with calm sections that meander through the jungle clad mountains, tea and rubber plantations of the Kandyan hill-country. The scenery is breathtaking, and is recognizable as the film set for ‘The Bridge Over the River Kwai’ Oscar-winning classic. Red Dot only uses Sri Lanka’s top guides, and if you can hear his instructions amidst the pounding water, you stand a better chance of remaining in the raft. In the calm stretches, sit back and float with only the hub of the rainforest to break the silence as you breathe in the wilderness. This stretch of the River Kelani offers grade 3/4 rapids, and is therefore great for beginners and experienced rafters alike. The launch site is in Kitulgala, where you can enjoy a well deserved curry on the riverbank. There are also a number of blissful riverside camps in which to stay.