Hurulu Eco Park in Habarana (හබරණ හුරුළු පරිසර උද්‍යානය)

56 years ago3 months ago02 mins

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Size	19,500 hectares
Main attractions	Large herds of Elephants

Hurulu Eco Park near Habarana offers a quieter alternative to busy safari parks, with open grasslands, forest trails, and frequent elephant sightings. Part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve, it delivers a raw, uncrowded wildlife experience ideal for nature lovers and photographers seeking authenticity.

Located approximately 180 km from Colombo, Hurulu Eco Park is a relatively new addition to the wildlife safari scene, designed to attract tourists visiting the Habarana and Sigiriya areas. The park’s entrance is conveniently situated just 2.7 km from the Habarana Junction along Trincomalee Road.

The Hurulu Forest Reserve, recognized as a biosphere reserve in 1977 as part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, serves as the foundation for the Eco Park, which was carved out from the reserve’s western boundary. This section runs parallel to the Habarana–Trincomalee Road.

The Eco Park is part of an extensive ecosystem that includes Wasgamuwa National Park, Angammedilla National Park, Minneriya National Park, Kaudulla National Park, and the Hurulu Forest Reserve. These areas are connected by elephant corridors, allowing wild elephants to migrate freely. During dry periods, elephants from these regions converge at Minneriya and Kaudulla parks, where large herds of 200-400 elephants can often be seen on the dry beds of the Minneriya Wewa Reservoir.

In contrast, during the wet season, when water is abundant, the elephants disperse to other parks, including the Hurulu Forest Reserve, which offers plenty of their preferred food sources.

Hurulu Eco Park Ticket Prices

Since the Eco Parks are managed by the Forest Conservation Department, ticket prices differ from those of national parks, which are overseen by the Wildlife Department.

Description	Price
Local – Adults	LKR 210
Local – Children	LKR 110
Foreign – Adults	LKR 2,060
Foreign – Children	LKR 1,030
Entrance Fee per vehicle	LKR 800

Ticket Price Schedule as of January 2025

Payments are in LKR. You can call 1919 (government information center) for the latest ticket prices. If you are hiring a private safari Jeep, the prices are about LKR 10,000 for a half day (3 hours).

Plenty of safari jeeps can be found in Habarana. Some safari vehicles for hire are parked at the entrance as well.

Opening and Closing Times of Hurulu Eco Park

Description	Details
Open Days	all 365
Opening Time	7 AM
Closing Time	5 PM

A Changeable Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus) at Hurulu Eco Park

View from Obervation Deck area at Hurulu Eco Park

A Orange-Breasted Green Pigeon at Hurulu Eco Park

Also See

Map of Hurulu Eco Park

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The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

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Travel Directions to Hurulu Eco Park

Route from Colombo to Hurulu Eco Park

Through : Minuwangoda – Giriulla – Kurunegala – Dambulla – Habarana
Distance : 183 km
Travel time : 4-4.5 hours.
Driving directions : see on google map

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