Minneriya Safari

Recognized for having one of the world’s greatest wildlife sights: the elephant gathering, the Minneriya National Park is ninety kilometers of wetlands, low-canopy montane forests, rocky outcrops and grasslands, as well as majestic beasts and an extensive birdlife that brings absolute joy to the safari lover.

Located in the North Central Plains of Sri Lanka, this national park is found on the road from Habarana to Polonnaruwa and features the renovated Minneriya Rainwater Reservoir built by King Mahasen about 1700 years ago. The tank up to date provides water for a significant part of the Polonnaruwa district, and attracts elephants and other beasts throughout the dry season. Safaris during the June to October season are especially suggested, as the elephants migrate from neighboring parks, such as Wasgamuwa, through the elephant corridor. This leads to the famous and the largest documented gathering of Asian Elephants, where over 300 elephants are spotted bathing, mating and feeding, within a few square meters of the great Minneriya Reservoir.

Given to the large open space, A Minneriya Safari is often serene and very well enjoyed. Apart from the tuskers, the Minneriya National Park is also a critical natural surrounding for 24 species of mammals, 170 species of birdlife, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish and 75 different species of butterfly. Among them are the purple-confronted langur and toque macaque; two endemic monkeys, saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Sri Lankan sambar deer, rare and endangered species like the Sri Lankan leopard and the Sri Lankan sloth bear.

The rainfall and the mean annual temperature at Minneriya is about 1146mm and 27.5 centigrade. With an altitude that ranges from100m to 885m at the top of Nilgala peak, the Minneriya National Park is a safe and good option for a safari at any time of the year, due to its massive ecosphere.






Written By: Kavisha Perera