Kitulgala is located on the A 7 main road that runs to Nuwara Eliya via Avissawella to Colombo. Kitulgala is well known pleasant town set amidst green hills thick with tropical vegetation and tea plantation. The name of the village of Kitulgala itself is derived from the Kitul the toddy palm tree, groves of which are abound in the expanses.

The Kalani River at Kitulgala gradually rolls over rock boulders making grade 1 to 4 rapids.
The river is flowing through picturesque hilly region where David Lean's seven Academy Award winning film, 'Bridge on the River Kwai' film location. The 1956-1957 film is mainly shot in Kitulgala where a wooden bridge was built as a set over the river.

White Water Rafting in the river Keleni at Kitulgala takes about a 90 minute run each for 6.5 km with five rapids graded from Level 2 and Level 3. The Rapids with their own distinctive characters are aptly named as: Head Chopper, Virgins Breast, Butter Crunch, Killer Fall and the Rib Cage.