This was a wonderful adventure, this Watch hut is located in the bushes of Habarana, Sri Lanka.
If you are looking for a unique experience to interact with the local community and enjoy a 360-degree spectacular view of the greenery of the jungle, this is where you need to be.
Do not expect the facilities of a star-class hotel but you will surely enjoy the total experience which this place offers.
We reached the location by a 4X4 jeep during the evening & welcomed by local villages with a friendly & genuine smile, offered a hot cup of coffee to revitalize us & directed us to the Watch hut.
This place is known as EWH – ELEPHANT WATCH HUT, this is a rural Sri Lankan domestic concept that has been used by Chena cultivation farmers to guard the cultivation area especially during the night from the wild animals, mostly from Elephants. They build a small hut on top of a huge tree which also gives a birds-eye view of the land. This “Elephant watch hut” is the same concept developed into a tourist-friendly authentic accommodation experience.
In Watch hut room they offer 2 beds, solar-powered lights, a small fan, 2 seats made out of barrels, a table & a mosquito net. You have a separate bathroom with a hot water facility on the ground & a small kind of a Pool where you can dip in if you like. This is again somewhat different, a concrete cylinder filled with water, the purpose of this is to provide water to the wild elephants who are frequent visitors to this place.
The entire atmosphere is breathtaking, you only see the greenery of the forest, a variety of birds, reptiles & wild elephants which are frequent visitors to the property. The dining area is a simple setup with a small shelter but the best thing is dining outside in the garden. We had a fantastic experience during the dinner.
The owner of Elephant watch hut was also with us on that day & he made it extra special for all the guests by offering a free round of local Arrack to everyone; the bonfire was set up in the garden & background music from his 70’s hit collection. We became friends with other foreign guests during the dinner time, it was fantastic nice with a little bit of tipsy feeling thanks to the Arrack.
Dinner was scrumptious, nothing fancy but all authentic Sri Lanka style cuisine such as Spicy Chicken curry, Dhal curry, Vegetables from the village & few more to surprise the taste buds of everyone. While enjoying the dinner we noticed something strange, a moving huge black rock on the corner of the garden. Well, it’s not rock it’s WILD ELEPHANT it was a situation of Pin drop silence, excitement & fear, the Majestic animal slowly proceeded to the other side of the jungle while we staring at it.
The next day morning we woke up to the sound of birds, the fresh wind & the blooming morning sun, other guests are getting ready for the Jeep safari but we sat back, relaxed & enjoyed the breathtaking view of nature while enjoying a cup of Coffee. In the morning we spotted a few wild peacocks in the garden too. After another mouthwatering breakfast, we left ELEPHANT WATCH HUT & headed to Colombo.
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