Minneriya National Park

About Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. This was a tank originally which was built by King Mahasen in third century AD. On 12 August 1997, the area was declared a national park, having originally been designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1938. The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area.

Gathering of Asian Elephants in Minneriya National Park

Ranked as 6th best wildlife spectacle in the world

Minneriya National Park is renowned for its Asian Elephant population. The Asian Elephant is exists in 13 countries. Sri Lanka is amazingly lucky to still boast of possessing almost 10% of the global Asian Elephant population. Sri Lanka has the largest, predictably occurring seasonal concentration of wild elephants anywhere in the world “Gathering of Asian Elephants” at Minneriya National Park. This has been one of the most fascinating events in the international Wildlife calendar.

This is a seasonal gathering in the dry season of large numbers of elephants form a population that is resident in the area, which gather on the lake bed. It is not a migration of Elephants. Gathering begins around June and peaks during the months of August & September. You will be able to view around 200-300 elephants during the peak months at Minneriya National Park.  Source – Wild Sri Lanka by Gehan De Silva Wijeyeratne.

Best season

• June to September

Key factors

• Apart from the Elephants Minneriya is good for birding also.

What we offer

• Qualified and experienced naturalist
• Binoculars, guide books & check lists
• Refreshments

IMPORTANT FACTORS

• Clients should carry their personal effects for Warm/Windy/Rainy conditions.
• Recommendations include the use of insect repellent and sunburn lotion.
• Special dietary requirements should be notified in advance.
• Clients must have good pair of Shoes/boots, leech socks, long sleeve t-shirts and pants…
• The experienced and well-trained guide would take every precaution to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all guests on tour as your safety is our prime concern. However, Paradise Island Safari or its employees do not accept any liability for death, injury or illness of guest while on tour caused by any animal, reptile, insect, and events of nature or any type of accident.