Book a Safari in Minneriya National Park



Minneriya Safari - Elephants

Wildlife Elephant safari jeep tours at Minneriya National Park

Why Minneriya National Park ?
One good reason is largest Elephant gathering in the world happens here at Minneriya National Park. The Best National park in the world to see wild elephants roaming around in their natural habitat, often present in huge numbers. During the dry season, which is July to October, elephants gathering number can reach high as 700 individual elephants, however average numbering is around 150-200.
The best part
It is possible to witness a large herd throughout the year, regardless of the Season. All times of year, tourist numbers remain low to sustain a piece of mind. Late afternoon Safari is best for see elephants.
That's not all
Apart from elephants, this is a good place to watch birds, especially in the dawn, you will have the chance to watch sloth bear, leopards, crocodiles, some endemic monkeys and Large herbivorous mammals. Also Gray slender loris reportedly found in Minneriya National Park.
However there's a catch
Except elephants spotting other animals is a bit less likely.
Here's the deal
Book a Safari in Wilpattu with us, 14 days prior to arrival and claim 5% discount on Jeep fee (contact us first before placing the order).

Why from us

All inclusive hassle free package.   Free pick up from Minneriya area.   Free refreshment pack.   No hidden cost, Not even a bank fee.   Arrange transportation from anywhere at a additional cost.   We accept PayPal   24/7 Support Exclusive private safari
  • All inclusive hassle free package.
  • Free pick up from Minneriya area.
  • Free refreshment pack.
  • No hidden cost, Not even a bank fee.
  • Arrange transportation from anywhere at a additional cost.
  • We accept PayPal.
  • 24/7 Support.
  • Exclusive private safari

Animal you can see in Minneriya National Park

Monkeys, purple-faced langur, toque macaque, Large herbivorous mammals, Sri Lankan sambar deer, Sri Lankan axis deer, Sri Lankan leopard, Sri Lankan sloth bear, gray slender loris. Fejervarya pulla, Polypedates cruciger,Painted-lip lizard, Lankascincus fallax,Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor.

Birds

Sri Lanka junglefowl,Great white pelican, Sri Lanka grey hornbill,crimson-fronted barbet,Lesser adjutant,little cormorants,black-crested bulbul,brown-capped babbler,Sri Lanka hanging parrot, painted stork, spot-billed pelican,Ruddy turnstone and grey heron,

Important facts about Minneriya National Park

About Minneriya National Park

The Minneriya National Park is all about elephants. Gigantic man made reservoir attracted wild elephants for it's water and grass fields during the dry season, they gather in numbers from 150 to as high as 700 this makes Largest elephant gathering in the world. You can witness this remarkable one and only event During the dry season, from July to October when the sun is setting down these magnificent creatures begin to emerge from every direction that have come from all over the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. Afternoon safari is best in terms of watching these giant, drink water from Minneriya reservoir, play and snack on lush vegetation, and even mating. Once you enter the park, it's giving you an instant impression that the most abundant animal in the park is majestic elephant !

Park is situated in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938 mainly to protect Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. Not to mention the park's prominent geographical attraction, man-made Minneriya tank, comes with a historical importance, it was built by King Mahasen in the third century AD, reservoirs hold 20 billion gallons of water. The primary sources of Minneriya reservoir' water comes from a diversion of Elahera canal and Amban River. Minneriya park is home for 70 Important Bird Areas. Park is mostly famous for it's elephant congregation also known as ‘Elephant Gathering’. During the dry season Large numbers elephants attracted to the Minneriya National Park from all around surrounding areas including Wasgamuwa national park, mostly because Minneriya reservoir. Park is well capable of sustaining a large number of elephants and other wild lifes, providing water, food and shelter during dry season.

Physical features

Park lies in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, average rainfall varies from 1,500 millimetres to 2,000 millimetres, the lowest temperature recorded in the park is 20.6 °C and the highest is 34.5 °C. Park Consist with several types of vegetation, including grasslands, low-canopy Montane forests, wetlands, intermediate high-canopy secondary forests, scrublands, abandoned Chena lands, and rocky outcrops. the rainy season comes from northeastern monsoon from October to January. Dry season last till September of May.

Flora

Vitex altissima, Diospyros quaesita, swietenia, Berrya, Drypetes sepiaria and cordifolia are dominant plant species in Minneriya. There are few plant species planted by Department of Forest Conservation especially on previously used chena cultivations areas, eucalyptus and teak among them, there are also crotons, Randia dumetorum and Calotropis gigantea can find among them. Grass species can be found are Ceylon date palm (Phoenix pusilla), Bambusa bambos, Panicum maximum and Imperata cylindrica.

Ticket prices and jeep prices at Minneriya National Park (Entrance fee)


Jeep fee for Half Day Safari is USD 45 - Jeep fee for Full Day Safari is USD 118 - Child age 6-12

Number of pax Ticket price- Adult - (per person) Ticket price- Child - (per person)
01 pax USD 58 USD 15
02 pax USD 41 USD 15
03 pax USD 38 USD 15
04 pax USD 35 USD 15
05 pax USD 33 USD 15
06 pax USD 30 USD 15
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