Minneriya National Park

A huge ancient reservoir, wetlands with reed grass, jungle and one of the largest meeting places for Asian elephants on the continent: If that's what you're looking for, Minneriya National Park is the right place for you. Its location in the heart of the cultural triangle of Anuradhapura, Sigiriya and Mihintale also makes a visit so attractive. Created as early as the 3rd century as a water reservoir for the nearby royal cities, the reservoir is now a paradise for waterfowl and various species of deer.

Minneriya National Park, Kaudulla or Hurulu Eco Park: Where are the elephants today?

In the region of the cultural triangle, only the Minneriya National Park is usually mentioned for safaris. However, the entire ecosystem of this region is spread over three protected areas where wildlife can roam freely: the Kaudulla and Minneriya National Parks and the Hurulu Eco Park. Depending on the season, the elephants migrate from one area to another in search of the best conditions.

From July to September, the large herds graze mainly in Minneriya National Park. When the heavy rains begin in October and the lakes get bigger, the herds move on to Kaudulla and finally migrate on to Hurulu in December.

Activities and animals in Minneriya National Park

The most beautiful travel experience in Minneriya National Park is on an elephant safari, preferably in the afternoon. You are not allowed to enter the park alone, but only with a licensed guide. The special thing about the elephant gatherings in the Minneriya is that they do not pass by as in other parks, but actually linger at the waterholes and allow the travelers an insight into their family hierarchy and everyday life: They bathe, eat, communicate with each other or mate. This phenomenon is unique in Sri Lanka and rarely seen anywhere in the world.

But not only elephants pass by the visitors here, but also the endemic white-bearded langurs and Ceylon hat monkeys, Sambar and Ceylonese axis deer, Sri Lankan sloth bears and leopards and the gray slender lorikeet. The huge water reservoir makes the park one of Sri Lanka's most important bird areas, with 160 specimens.

Best time to visit Minneriya National Park

In the dry season between July and December (especially July to September), a visit to Minneriya National Park is particularly worthwhile, as huge elephant herds of 150-200 members gather at the waterholes: the so-called Elephant Gathering.