Sitting on a major road junction almost equidistant between Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, and Dambulla (and close to Sigiriya and Ritigala), the large village of Habarana is of little interest in itself but has a decent spread of relatively upmarket accommodation, making it a convenient base from which to visit any of the Cultural Triangle’s major sights. It’s also the handiest point of departure for trips to Minneriya and Kaudulla national parks, which offer some of the island’s best elephant-spotting. Although used as a base for the famous tourist destinations surrounding the village, Habarana, well-set with its reservoir and rich in wildlife, is an attraction in its own right: it’s an ornithologist’s paradise and a nature lover’s dream.