Hurulu eco park

Hurulu Eco Park is a popular wildlife destination in Sri Lanka, located in the North Central Province near Habarana. It is part of the Hurulu Forest Reserve, a designated biosphere reserve that is a crucial habitat for the Sri Lankan elephant. The park offers jeep safaris, which are the main activity for visitors.

Wildlife and Biodiversity

The park is well-known for its elephant sightings, especially during the dry season when large herds migrate between nearby national parks like Minneriya and Kaudulla. Beyond elephants, you can also spot a diverse range of other animals, including:

Mammals: Deer (Sambar and Spotted), wild boar, wild buffalo, gray langur monkeys, toque macaques, jackals, mongoose, and porcupines.

Birds: Over 100 species, including peacocks (Indian Peafowl), Sri Lanka junglefowl, eagles, hawks, owls, kingfishers, and a variety of waterfowl.

Other animals: Reptiles like monitor lizards, snakes, and crocodiles, as well as insects like butterflies and dragonflies. A small population of Sri Lankan leopards and rusty-spotted cats also inhabit the reserve, though they are much more elusive.

Safari Information

Activities: The primary activity is a jeep safari. These are typically offered in the morning and evening, which are the best times to see the animals when they are most active.

Timings: The park is generally open from early morning, with tours often starting around 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM for the morning safari and 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM for the evening safari.

Tour Duration: Safaris typically last about 3 to 4 hours.

Best Time to Visit

The dry season, which runs from approximately May to September, is often the best time to visit for elephant sightings. During this period, the elephants are known to migrate between the various national parks and reserves in the area in search of food and water, often gathering at the scenic Hurulu Wewa reservoir within the park.