Top things to do in Habarana

Identified by the Birdlife International as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), Kaudulla National Park is based around an irrigation work by one of the many kings in ancient Sri Lanka. Currently home to multitudes of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish, the national park is located in the dry evergreen zone of the country.
The safaris can be arranged for either early morning hours or towards the evening hours. On your safari through the forest, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the rare sloth bear – an infamous local animal. There roam Sri Lankan sambar deer, Sri Lankan axis deer among the greens, while wild boars could happen to cross your path. It is also believed that Kaudulla National Park is the only park in Sri Lanka to have albino axis deer, though the actual sighting of one is very rare. You will also witness herds of elephants as they wander through the forest. If your visit falls during the month of September, then you shall see them migrating from Minneriya back to Kaudulla, in search of water. According to statistical records, about 24 species of mammals are found among the trees of Kaudulla.
What Kaudulla is the most known for, though, is its bird life. There are over 160 species of birds who call Kaudulla home, spot-bellied pelican prominent among them. There are also reptiles like the Indian Black Turtle and Indian flap-shelled turtle, and fish such as Mozambique Tilapia that might feature in your safari.

Minneriya National Park is based around the Minneriya Rainwater Reservoir, a large body of water that sustains the entire area in terms of agriculture. Minneriya is a part of the elephant corridor that joins up with Kaudulla and Wasgamuwa National Parks, making it the best place for a safari if you are looking for elephants. While herds of elephants can be seen throughout the year, the best time visit the National Park would be between May and October, as this is when the famous "gathering of elephants" take place. The gathering of elephants is the largest known meeting place of Asian elephants in the world. With the seasonal changes, over 300 elephants make their way to the shores of Minneriya Reservoir, making a spectacular sight of elephants gathered within a few square kilometres of the lake.
In addition to elephants, there are Leopards, Sloth Bears, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Wild Buffalo, Wild Boar, Grey Langers, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Porcupine and about 14 other species of mammals in the park. The park also has a record of over 170 bird species, both migratory birds such as Woodland Poper, Common Sandpiper and Kentish Plovers to local aviators such as Malabar-pied Hornbills and Rufus Woodpecker to endemic and endangered species such as Lesser Adjutant and Sri Lanka Grey Horn-Bill. Although the variety of amphibians in the park is comparatively low – only about 9 species – the endemic and endangered Slender Wood Frog and the Common Tree Frog are among them. 8 out of 25 recorded species of reptiles are endemic species, while water and land monitors are also a common sight to the visitors of the park. Minenriya reservoir, as natural for any water body of its proportions and features, is home to a multitude of species of fish – but actually seeing them during the safari may not be possible.

Whichever the place you decide to stay in Habarana, it is highly likely that you will be sharing your space with your evolutionary relatives, for monkeys – specifically Grey Langer and Toque Macaque – have been the rightful owners of your holiday home: a common sight in Sri Lanka. Resorts such as Cinnamon Lodge Habarana have made use of the presence of these uninvited but intriguing guests to provide you with an experience to watch them in their natural habitat. Accompanied by a naturalist who is quite well versed in the ways of the primates, you could spend an hour or two observing the lifestyle of these ancient relatives. The best time for primate observation is either early in the morning when they start their day or during the evening when they wind down for the night.