Hurulu Eco Park
A jeep-safari park on the edge of the Hurulu Forest Reserve near Habarana, open every day and often used when Minneriya and Kaudulla are quiet.
What Hurulu Eco Park actually is
Hurulu Eco Park is a jeep-safari park on the edge of the Hurulu Forest Reserve, on the Habarana–Trincomalee road, a short drive from Habarana junction. It is run by the Forest Department rather than the Wildlife Department, which is why entry fees differ from the national parks. The Sunday Times reported it opening on 16 February 2008. The wider reserve became a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1977.
The draw is elephants, moving between nearby protected areas. Reports say the herds tend to shift to Hurulu when water is plentiful, which can mean the wetter months when Minneriya is quiet. One travel blog puts them in Hurulu in December and January. Expect dry-zone forest, grassland and tanks, and an observation point. It is less scenic than Minneriya and has fewer visitors.
Safaris are in hired jeeps, usually around three hours. Hire a jeep and driver in Habarana, and expect to share the park with other jeeps. Behaviour matters: the Conservator has warned in the past that some hired jeeps get too close to the elephants.
Worth your attention
Elephant groups
The reason to go. A 2010 visit report saw about seven groups in under two hours, but sightings vary and there are no guarantees.
Dry-zone forest
Teak plantations and dry forest in between grassland. Pleasant, but less open than Minneriya’s tank bed.
Birds
Crested serpent eagle and Pompadour green pigeon were reported; other visitors list bee-eaters, peafowl and parrots.
The viewpoint
A log cabin on a rocky slope was reported to give a wide view, and an observation deck is mentioned by other sources.
Before you go
Do this
- Book a jeep and driver through your Habarana hotel or at the gate
- Ask which park is producing elephants that week before you choose
- Go in the late afternoon or first thing in the morning
- Stay in the jeep and keep your distance from elephants
- Bring binoculars for birds and distant herds
Know this first
- Sightings are not guaranteed and herds move between parks through the year
- No trackers ride in vehicles here, unlike in national parks
- Some hired jeeps get too close to elephants; ask your driver to keep back
- Fees and jeep prices change, and fees differ between park authorities
Getting to Hurulu Eco Park
Most people see Hurulu Eco Park as part of a stay around Habarana. Our Habarana guide covers where to stay, how long to give it and what else is nearby. It is also listed in our Minneriya National Park guide.
Coming straight from the airport, the relevant run is Colombo Airport to Habarana — fixed price per vehicle, driver waiting inside arrivals with a name board.
Read the full Habarana guideFrom Colombo Airport
Car up to 3 passengers; vans quoted on the route page. No night surcharge.
Hurulu Eco Park — frequently asked
What is Hurulu Eco Park?
A safari park on the edge of the Hurulu Forest Reserve near Habarana, run by the Forest Department. It opened in 2008, according to the Sunday Times.
Is Hurulu better than Minneriya?
Not for scenery. It is quieter and open all year, which suits months when the Minneriya Gathering is not on.
When should I go?
It is open year-round. Elephants are most likely here when the bigger parks are out of season, such as the wetter months or December and January.
Who runs it and what does it cost?
The Forest Department, not the Wildlife Department, so fees differ from the national parks. A January 2025 schedule listed around LKR 2,000 for a foreign adult plus a vehicle fee; confirm before you go.
Also worth stopping for around Habarana
Build Hurulu Eco Park into your route
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