Joanna James
Nestled in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka is the Minneriya National Park. Here, you can experience the time of your life by witnessing the largest gathering of elephants in Asia whilst on safari. You can also spot mesmerising wildlife including deer and flocks of colourful birds.
A place that attracts many tourists each year, Minneriya National Park holds many allures, with the spotlight focused on one event called "The Gathering." It is when many herds of elephants make their way towards the large body of water located amid the national park during the dry season of the region every year. They come from near and far and gather around the Minneriya Lake making it the largest gathering of these Asian giants in the world. The fascinating views of these playful animals bathing, sprouting water on each other, and playing with their young ones are some sights that one would cherish forever. Even during the offseason, you can come across many elephants wandering around this park. Minneriya National Park also provides the lifeblood for a multitude of other animal species such as grey langurs, purple-faced leaf monkeys, and the elusive leopard of Sri Lanka.
If what you need to see is the gathering of the giants around the Minneriya Tank, then the best time for you to go on a safari at this National Park is during its dry season which usually occurs during July and September. Minneriya National Park is connected to Kaudulla National Park by a jungle through which elephants meander to and from these parks. Therefore, you should be clear on your intentions with your safari guides as they would know which park you should visit to encounter this adventurous experience. These giants of the wild are usually more active towards the latter part of the day when the sun starts its descent towards the horizon, cooling the atmosphere of the park. Most safari tours take place for about three hours after 3 in the evening, thus a close encounter with several elephants can be expected.
Located about 190 kilometres away from Colombo, the commercial capital of the country is this must-visit National Park of Sri Lanka. The ideal way you can reach Minneriya is by car, which would take approximately four and a half hours drive. Or else, you can board a train from Colombo Fort by six in the morning and reach Habarana around 11:30 in the morning. From Habarana, you can rent a taxi for as low as 11 USD
To enter the Minneriya National Park, one adult foreigner is required to pay a sum of 15 USD or its cash value in the local currency. One should expect to pay additional charges for vehicles, services, and overnight services at this location. Even if you want to experience the captivating secrets of Minneriya National Park of your own accord, you would still need to arrange a jeep once you reach the park premises. However, it is recommended that you make reservations for a safari jeep tour that would make arrangements for a pickup from your accommodation. Many Sigiriya hotels the likes of Aliya Resort & Spa are always prepared to assist you in booking a safari jeep tour.
As you come upon the entrance of the Minneriya National Park from the Habarana-Polonnaruwa Road, you'll be greeted by the visitor centre that sells entrance tickets and showcases interesting exhibits about the park's history. The first forty minutes of the safari would be through a thick, dense jungle along a dirt road where sightings of wildlife are rather rare. When you least escape it, the scenery changes abruptly, offering you breathtaking views of the Minneriya tank that would fascinate you to the core.
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