You will first meet up with the Sri Lanka Day Tours crew and your designated guide at the gate entrance to the Minneriya National Park. The morning half-day safari commences at 6:30 AM and the evening half-day tour, the starting time will be at 2:30 PM.
The Minneriya National Park is a protected wildlife reserve in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Dry Zone. Its main feature is the Minneriya Reservoir, the largest of 16 built in the 3rd Century AD by King Mahasena.
After entering the national park with your guide in a jeep, you will be able to spot several species of birds and other animals that have made their homes in this sanctuary.
Minneriya National Park is home to one of the most spectacular natural events in the world – the Elephant Gathering. In the dry months of August and September, about 300 elephants from the park and the surrounding area – including the Wasgamuwa National Park – gather at the reservoir in large numbers to get much-needed refreshment.
These gentle giants are a sight to behold, as they frolic in the waters and interact with elephants from other herds.
Although the months in which the elephant gathering occurs offers the best experience, the safari tour of Minneriya National Park is a rewarding safari experience any day of the year.
Although elephants are its main attraction, Minneriya hosts more than 160 species of birds, a few of which are endemic to Sri Lanka, such as the Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, the Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, and the Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill. Large mammals, including, sloth bears, sambar deer, and axis deer, as well as smaller mammals such as the Purple-Faced Langur, Toque Macaque, and the Grey Slender Loris make the Minneriya National Park their home. Saltwater crocodiles and other reptiles, including monitor lizards and snakes, add another dimension to this rich ecosystem.
Finishing the Safari, around 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. you will be dropped at the park entrance.
