Minneriya National Park (Habarana, Sri Lanka)

"World famous location for gathering of the wild Elephants"

Source: TripAdvisor

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Description

Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. Minneriya National Park is located 182 KM away from Colombo in the North Central Plains of Sri Lanka. The major city closest to Minneriya National Park is Polonnaruwa. The area was designated as a national park on 12 August 1997, having been originally declared as 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. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The renovated vast ancient Minneriya Rainwater Reservoir that irrigates the considerable area of the district of Polonnaruwa is the focal point of the Minneriya National Park. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.

Famous Gathering of the wild Elephant Gathering

The principal attraction here is elephants. Minneriya forms part of the elephant corridor that joins up with Kaudulla and Wasgomuwa national parks, and large numbers of the beasts can be found here at certain times of year during their migrations between the various parks – local guides should know where the greatest concentrations of elephants are at any given time. They are most numerous from July to October, peaking in August and September when water elsewhere dries up and as many as three hundred or more come to the tank’s ever-receding shores from as far away as Trincomalee to drink, bathe and feed on the fresh grass that grows up from the lake bed as the waters retreat – as well as to socialize and search for mates.

Elephant Gathering

This annual event has been popularly dubbed “The Gathering”, the largest meeting of Asian elephants anywhere in the world. At other times, you may spot only a few elephants, which in fact are often more easily seen from the main Habarana–Polonnaruwa road that runs along the park’s northern edge. Other mammals found in the park include sambar, spotted deer, macaque and purple-faced langur monkeys, sloth bears and around twenty leopards (although these last two are very rarely sighted), plus an enormous number of birds.

Being part of the elephant corridor which joins up with Kaudulla and Wasgomuwa parks, Minneriya National Park gives the opportunity to see herds of Elephants throughout the year.May to October is the best period to visit Minneriya National Park in view of the famous Gathering of the wild elephants.

It is the largest known meeting place of Asian Elephants in the world. During this period herds up to 300 elephants are seen at the 8,890 hectare park within a few square kilometers of the Minneriya Reservoir. In July to September each year during the dry season, wild elephants from the surrounding wilderness in search of food and water, makes their way to the shores of the Minneriya Reservoir adjoining the Minneriya National Park. Huge herd of elephants, sometimes numbering up to 300, converge together within a few square kilometers of the lake. The "Elephant Gathering" has commenced at Minneriya National Park. By July - September the numbers will increase to 150 - 300 elephants. On this time period herds of elephants gathering around the Minneriya lake, in the afternoon. This has become a major attraction.

Minneriya National Park that covers an area of 8,889 hectares is of tropical monsoon climate: annual rainfall is about 1146MM and mean annual temperature is 27.5 centigrade. The altitude ranges from100m to 885M at the top of Nilgala peak.

Flora & Fauna

Among the 24 species of mammals resident in the park are Elephants, Leopards, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Wild Buffalo, Wild Pig, Grey Langers, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, three species of Mongoose, Porcupine and Indian Pangolin.

Minneriya National Park has recorded over 170 species of birds. From Migrating waders like Woodsand Piper, Common Sandpiper and Kentish Plovers to forest birds like Malabar-pied Hornbills, Rufus Woodpecker the globally endangered Lesser Adjutant and the endemics Sri Lanka Grey Horn-bill, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Brown-capped Babbler and Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl are some of the highlights.

Top sights in Minneriya National Park

Minneriya Tank
Elephant Gathering

Things to remember in Minneriya National Park

Bring water bottle with appropriate clothing for tropical condition.
   • Clothing - Loose cotton or breathable fabric clothes.
   • Shoes - Good trainers/runners/ sneakers.
   • Hat - Broad brimmed hat to keep the sun away.
   • Sunscreen - Definitely a good idea in the tropic
Get ticket from entrance. Safari Jeep Cost
Most preferred time : Afternoon

Places nearby

Pidurangala Rock
Dambulla Cave Temple (Golden Temple)
Sigiriya Sanctuary
Sigiriya
Kaudulla National Park (Habarana)
Kandalama Reservoir

Hotels nearby

Heritance Kandalama
Amaya Lake
Lake Lodge Boutique Hotel
Habarana Lodge
Hotel Sigiriya

Kalundewa Retreat
Popham's Arboretum
Jetwing Lake
Amaya Signature
Diyabubula, the Barberyn Art & Jungle Hideaway

YouTube Videos

References:
https://minneriya.national.park.ww.lk
https://lanka.com/about/attractions/minneriya-national-park
https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/asia/sri-lanka/cultural-triangle/habarana-around/minneriya-national-park

Minneriya National Park (Habarana, Sri Lanka) | Elephant Safari