Minneriya National Park Safari

Minneriya National Park

About Minneriya National Park

World-famous wildlife sanctuary renowned for the magnificent annual wild Asian elephant gathering.

Minneriya National Park is a premier wildlife sanctuary nestled within the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, spanning over 8,889 hectares of tropical dry mixed evergreen forests, grasslands, and expansive wetlands. Centered around the historic Minneriya Tank—an ancient reservoir constructed by King Mahasen in the 3rd century—the park is an ecological haven of unmatched beauty and biodiversity. Minneriya is internationally celebrated for hosting the largest known gathering of wild Asian elephants in the world, famously known as "The Elephant Gathering". Between the dry season months of May and October, as water levels recede across surrounding reservoirs, hundreds of wild elephants converge upon the lush grassy shores of the Minneriya tank to graze, socialize, and bathe, creating a truly spellbinding wildlife spectacle. Beyond its legendary elephant population, Minneriya National Park provides a protected habitat for over 170 species of birds, including endemic species like the Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Brown-capped Babbler, and Malabar Pied Hornbill, as well as majestic raptors. The park also shelters leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer, water buffaloes, and mugger crocodiles. Offering thrilling open-top 4x4 jeep safaris amidst striking landscapes, Minneriya delivers an immersive, unforgettable wildlife encounter in the heart of Sri Lanka.

Wild Elephants, Minneriya Tank, Wildlife Safari