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Why Visit Minneriya National Park?

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Why Visit Minneriya National Park?
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Located in the heart of Sri Lanka's cultural triangle, Minneriya National Park is one of the most visited and well-known parks for spotting elephants in Sri Lanka.

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    • Overview
    • Bundala National Park
    • Flood Plains National Park
    • Gal Oya National Park
    • Horton Plains National Park
    • Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
    • Kumana National Park (Yala East)
    • Lahugala National Park
    • Lunugamvehera National Park
    • Maduru Oya National Park
    • Minneriya National Park
    • Somawathiya National Park
    • The Knuckles Range
    • The Sinharaja Rainforest
    • Udawalawe National Park
    • Wasgamuwa National Park
    • Wilpattu National Park
    • Yala National Park

The large central lake or 'tank' (an ancient reservoir) at Minneriya was created by King Parakarambahu at the height of Polonnaruwa’s glory as the capital of Sri Lanka in the 3rd century AD. The national park based largely around the huge tank was created rather more recently but serves as an important gathering place for Sri Lanka’s large population of elephants.

It is a great place for elephant spotting all year round – though as the dry season makes water scarce between June and September, more and more elephants gather on the shores of the Minneriya Tank. Indeed by late August and September, the awe-inspiring site of 150-200 elephants gathered together can often be seen in a phenomenon known as the 'gathering of the elephants’. It is the largest concentration and gathering of Asian elephants to be seen anywhere in the world. Watching baby elephants playing with each other, bull elephants tussling for dominance and the great matriarchs surveying the scene is not a sight you are likely to forget in a hurry.

Aside from the elephants, Minneriya is also home to some 23 other species of mammals. Deer and sambur are more common to spot, while the leopards and sloth bears are more elusive. The arid dry zone is a paradise for many species of lizard and you will see them here in all their technical colour brilliance if you look carefully enough, as well as snakes like the Indian Python and the Mugger Crocodile. Above all, of course, is Sri Lanka’s wonderfully varied bird population. Among the 150 or so species, particular favourites of ours you may see in Minneriya include the beautifully painted stork, the pelican and various imposing eagle species, as well as the endemics: the Sri Lankan Jungle Fowl, Hanging Parrot, and the Gray Hornbill.

Nearby Kandulla National Park, opened in 2002 to provide an elephant corridor through to Minneriya, offers a similar experience and is particularly beautiful in the early morning sun. It has the advantage too of having fewer visitors, so you will not share the experience with quite as many jeeps as you will in Minneriya.

The entrance to Minneriya National Park is positioned in the centre of the Cultural Triangle at a place called Habarana. There are many excellent hotels in the vicinity. Our consultants will suggest some options to suit you.

 
 

Selected Wildlife Holiday Ideas:

Sri Lanka's Big Mammals

Sri Lanka's Big Mammals

Calling wildlife enthusiasts. Travel off-the-beaten-track with expert guides in search of elephants, leopards, whales and far more.

Nature & Wildlife Explorer

Nature & Wildlife Explorer

Gorgeous scenery, birdlife, and the varied animal population that Sri Lanka has to offer, staying in tucked away hotels.

Birdlife and Natural Wealth of Sri Lanka

Birdlife and Natural Wealth of Sri Lanka

This holiday is ideal for those who love nature, especially birdlife. Visit the beautiful rainforests, coast, and wetlands of Sri Lanka.

Natural & Wild Sri Lanka

Natural & Wild Sri Lanka

Enjoy the incredible wildlife of animals without missing the astonishing scenery, glorious beaches and local life.

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  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Malaysia
      • Borneo
      • Indochina
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • Holidays in Sri Lanka
    • Classic Sri Lanka Holidays
    • Family Holidays
    • Sri Lanka & Maldives Holidays
    • Ultimate Holidays
    • Nature & Wildlife Holidays
    • Off the Beaten Track
    • Slow Holidays
  • Guide to Sri Lanka
    • Why choose Sri Lanka
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Free Country Guide Download
  • Info on Sri Lanka
    • Nature and Wildlife
      • Overview
      • Bundala National Park
      • Flood Plains National Park
      • Gal Oya National Park
      • Horton Plains National Park
      • Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
      • Kumana National Park (Yala East)
      • Lahugala National Park
      • Lunugamvehera National Park
      • Maduru Oya National Park
      • Minneriya National Park
      • Somawathiya National Park
      • The Knuckles Range
      • The Sinharaja Rainforest
      • Udawalawe National Park
      • Wasgamuwa National Park
      • Wilpattu National Park
      • Yala National Park
    • Getting Around in Sri Lanka
      • Overview
      • Chauffeur Guides & Transportation
      • Vehicles in Sri Lanka
      • Internal Flights
      • Helicopter in Sri Lanka
    • Honeymoons in Sri Lanka
    • Sri Lanka Weddings
  • Regions of Sri Lanka
    • Overview
    • The Cultural Triangle
    • Colombo, Negombo & Around
    • Kandy and Around
    • The Hill Country
    • West Coast Beaches
    • Galle and Around
    • The South Coast
    • Puttalam & the North West
    • The East Coast
    • Jaffna & The North
  • About us
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Our Reviews
    • Our Press
    • Our brochure
    • Our Blog
  • How it works
    • Why choose us?
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Trip planning process
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
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  • Holiday Types
    • The Revitalise Collection
    • Immersive Escapes
    • Honeymoons
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    • Inspire me
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    • Free Country Guides
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