Minneriya National Park

Minneriya tank was built by King Mahasena in the third century and still holds water; the area became a wildlife sanctuary in 1938 and a national park in 1997, and as it shrinks through the dry months it exposes fresh grass on the bed. Elephants come in from the surrounding forests to feed on it, and the numbers build through August and September into what is called the Gathering, at times several hundred animals in one place, which is among the largest concentrations of Asian elephants anywhere.

The landscape

• The Gathering - hundreds of elephants on the drying tank bed from July to October.
• The ancient tank - a third-century reservoir still functioning as it was built to.
• The waterbirds - pelicans, storks and cormorants on the tank margins.
• The dry forest - the surrounding woodland the herds come in from.

When to go

July to October is the Gathering and the reason to come. The animals shift between Minneriya, Kaudulla and Hurulu depending on water, so guides decide on the day. In the wet months they disperse into the forest.

Practical notes

The herds move between three parks and are not always at Minneriya; a guide who checks that morning is worth having. Jeep numbers at good sightings are high and drivers crowd the animals. Outside the dry season the park can be quiet.

Nearby

Kaudulla is north, and Polonnaruwa is east.

Key facts