A Feathered Visitor

Our day was brightened by this little Three Toed Kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca, now called the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher) who flew into The Villa at Far Cry. Our feathered friend seemed content to nestle in our Villa Manager’s hand for a while, and eventually flew away.

 

Wall-less and open to nature, this is exactly the kind of rare interaction with wildlife that is possible at this magical destination.

 

With the onset of the rains and cooler weather, Nature has come alive around Far Cry. Stay with us and share the joy!

 

To book The Villa or The Gatehouse, call +94 777301908 or visit www.farcryhabarana.com/reservation/

A Nightime Visitor To The Village

This video is a CCTV capture from last night in Galkadawala village, when a small group of three elephants broke through the electric fence, and walked along the main road, feeding in village home gardens and finally breaking into a paddy store in one of the village houses.

Our village has seen a marked increase in elephant activity in the last few months. A small herd of fifteen to twenty animals have been regularly spotted crossing the road between the village and Palugaswewa, most recently a few days ago.  The electric fences installed around the village a few years ago have proved to be ineffective,  and are regularly breached. A friend who is an authority on elephant behaviour explained that elephants become habituated to permanent fences and find ways of disabling them. At Far Cry we have had first had experience of this recently.

What triggers these localised movements? My friend explained that small groups from the large gathering at Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks disperse into the surrounding villages when water levels in the two tanks increase, either due to the release of water for cultivation, or due to heavy rains. With the onset of the monsoon, and the ongoing “Maha” cultivation in progress, we can expect to see more elephant  activity in and around our village.

Understanding the behaviour of these gentle giants, and learning to co-exist with them is the only solution to the so called Human Elephant Conflict. Follow this link to learn more about what is being done – https://ejustice.lk/proposal-to-mitigate-thehuman-elephant-conflictin-sri-lanka/

Introducing The Gatehouse

Escape to The Gatehouse, a private two-bedroom forest hideaway at Far Cry Forest Retreat, just 9 km from Habarana.It’s an ideal base for exploring Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle—or for simply slowing down in the forest.

Surrounded by trees and birdsong, this cozy lodge is perfect for couples, solo travelers, or friends looking for a quiet stay near Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Minneriya, and Kaudulla.

Each bedroom has a queen four-poster bed, en-suite bathroom, and open-sky shower. The veranda offers space to relax, dine, or simply enjoy the sounds of nature.

Guests can unwind by the plunge pool, wander six acres of walking trails, or stroll to nearby Kumbukkali Wewa, where wild elephants are often spotted. Home-cooked meals, handcrafted furniture, and warm, attentive service make The Gatehouse feel both comfortable and authentic.

Call 0777301908 now for introductory rates until November 30th, 2025.

The Positive Energy of Flowing Water

Vaasthu and Feng Shui are ancient systems of spatial design that promote harmony, balance and well being in life. Originating in South Asia and China respectively, the two systems have many common elements, demonstrating the universality of certain design principles. One such principle is the importance of flowing water around places of abode – purportedly to regenerate positive energy.. Sri Lanka’s rural landscape is blessed with an abundance of flowing water, harnessed by our ancient kings for agriculture. It is no coincidence therefore that one feels so much at ease when spending a few days, or, if you are lucky, a week or more, in Sri Lanka’s beautiful countryside, be it in the hills or in the dry zone, within sight of a lake or a river. Far Cry is particularly favoured by irrigation channels that run around two sides of its boundary, as well as older streams that flow through it. Except in the driest of seasons, these channels carry water from our local “wewa” or tank to the rice fields below. I am convinced that the serenity of Far Cry is largely due to the water factor – so many of our guests have described it as “magical”. Why not come, experience it yourself?

Morning Walks at Far Cry

By

Yohann Dias

One of the delights of a morning walk along the trails at Far Cry is the lightshow that Mother Nature puts on for you. 

Every hue of green is heightened by the sunlight slanting though the branches as you wend you way through the forest. The chill in the morning air, the crunch of the dry leaves underfoot, and the calling of birds adds to the experience.

We are in the process of mapping out the nearly 2km of trails, so that visitors can plan their walks, and not get lost in the process! 

The Ceylon Oak

Not an English Oak, but this Ceylon Oak (Schleichera oleosa) or “Kon” in the vernacular, was at least half a century old when Far Cry was born. It was among a handful of large trees on what when then an abandoned chena (dry zone farm).Through the years it has held its own as the forest regenerated around it. It is quite a lovely sight as the leaves colour and fall around February and March every year, giving an illusion of autumn in the tropical dry zone! The yellow and gold colours never fail to amaze and uplift. Squirrels play on its trunks and birds nest in the hollows of its gnarled old branches. The fallen leaves spread like a carpet beneath it, eventually nourishing the soil as it decays . It is truly a reminder that trees give succour to living things in more ways than one. 

A huge tree
A person holding a red color leaf
Name tag of a tree.

Wild flowers.

By

Yohann Dias

Often overlooked, but always there for the keen of eye, wild flowers abound around Far Cry. The flowering shrub shown here – Blue Mist (Memecylon umbellatum) – is a good example. Blooming seasonally, the flowers give off a delicately sweet scent, which butterflies and bees find irresistable. A walk along forest our trails will yield hours of enjoyment, marvelling at these little wonders of nature.

Elephant fences.


By

Yohann Dias

Elephant fences are a necessary evil in the landscape around Far Cry, and many similar rural areas.  On the one hand, they protect farmers’ crops from marauding elephant herds, yet on the other hand they deny these herds their traditional rights of way, dating from time immemorial. Research has shown that elephants prefer to feast on tender young shoots and plants commonly found in human cultivations, rather than on the dry zone forest leaves and grasses which are difficult to digest. For us lovers of nature, the fencing ruins the beauty of the pristine natural environment as well.

The system installed around Galkadawala village is part of a large network of fences that “protect” an entire cluster of villages. It is powered by solar panels, and requires constant maintenance of the vegetation around it to ensure that the wires are not compromised through contact with the vegetation. Farmers organizations have undertaken this task.

At the time of writing it is reported that the fences have ceased to be operational after several solar panels were stolen. It is difficult to understand a mindset that would put lives and livelihoods at risk by such an act. However, herd incursions are now frequently reported, and farmers are resorting to the age old practice of guarding their crops through the night from the vantage point of tree houses.

In the midst of the current crisis, it is uncertain how quickly the authorities will react.

Alfresco dining at Far Cry

Yohann Dias

Alfresco dining is now possible at Far Cry with the this beautiful outdoor table made for us by a local craftsman.

Talented craftmen of every ilk can be found in the most unikely corners of remote Sri Lanka. Wherever possible, we offer work like this to the local community, and we are never disappointed.

The table and benches were made out of re-cycled teakwood, previously used for the wooden pool deck.

The rustic design is in keeping with the character of Far Cry. It is a sturdy piece of furniture designed to absorb the vagaries of sun and rain for decades to come.

Sharing a meal at this table on a moonlit night in the company of family and friends is one of the many treats in store for you at Far Cry!