Hidden within the dry-zone forest near Habarana lies a peaceful stretch of wilderness known as Hurulu Eco Park. It might not be as famous as Yala or Wilpattu, but what it offers is something deeply special—a raw, up-close encounter with Sri Lanka’s wild side, especially the elephants that roam freely through this region.
A Seasonal Refuge for Giants
Hurulu Eco Park is part of a larger elephant corridor that connects Minneriya and Kaudulla. When the grass dries and the water levels drop in nearby parks, many herds instinctively make their way to Hurulu, particularly from July to October and again around March to May. During these months, the park transforms into a vibrant gathering ground for elephants. Watching them roam, graze, and bathe—sometimes just a few feet from your vehicle—is a moment that stays with you.
What makes this park unique is the setting: gentle forest trails, open plains, and pockets of thick green that suddenly give way to wide, sunlit clearings where the elephants emerge silently.
A Ride Through the Trees and Tracks
The safari usually begins from Habarana in the early morning or late afternoon. You climb into an open-top 4×4 jeep, and within minutes of entering the park, the world starts to shift. The road gets quiet. The trees grow thicker. Birds flit across your path, monkeys chatter overhead, and the faint sound of footsteps in the distance hints at the arrival of a herd.
Every ride is different. Sometimes you spot a lone tusker wandering near the tank. Other times, a family of elephants blocks the trail, moving slowly but confidently through the bush. The silence, broken only by rustling leaves or the occasional trumpet, feels sacred.
Wildlife in the Shadows
Though elephants are the main attraction, they aren’t the only inhabitants of Hurulu. The park is home to sambar and spotted deer, wild boar, jungle fowl, peacocks, and langur monkeys. On a lucky day, you might even catch a glimpse of a sloth bear slinking through the brush. Birdlife is plentiful too, with species like woodpeckers, eagles, and the vibrant green bee-eater adding flashes of color to the earthy landscape.
Why Hurulu Feels Different
There’s a quiet rhythm to this park. It doesn’t try to impress. It just exists—calm, wild, and full of life. There are no crowds, no rush. The jeep ride feels more like an exploration than a tour. And the wildlife, unbothered by human presence, goes about its business as though you’re not even there.
That’s the beauty of Hurulu: it doesn’t demand attention. It rewards patience.
A jeep safari through Hurulu Eco Park is a chance to slow down and really feel the natural side of Sri Lanka. It’s not about checking things off a list. It’s about presence—being there, in the moment, watching nature unfold at its own pace.
If you find joy in simplicity, in the rustle of leaves, in the unexpected appearance of a wild elephant emerging from the forest—Hurulu will feel like a gift.