Minneriya National Park
The stage for The Gathering, when hundreds of wild elephants converge on the receding Minneriya reservoir in the dry season, one of Asia's great wildlife spectacles.
Minneriya is the setting for one of Asia's great wildlife shows, and it happens on an old reservoir. In the dry season, roughly July to September, the water in the Minneriya tank shrinks back and fresh grass grows on the exposed bed, and hundreds of wild elephants come out of the surrounding forest to feed and drink in one place. Locals call it The Gathering, and on a good evening it is a genuinely astonishing thing to see.
A safari here is a jeep drive across open country toward the tank, and when the elephants are in you can find yourself watching a hundred or more at once, families with tiny calves, young bulls sparring, the whole herd drifting across the grass in the late light. Between the elephants there are deer, buffalo, crocodiles and a huge cast of water birds around the reservoir.
The catch, as with Yala, is that word travels and the jeeps can bunch up around the herds. Go for the afternoon drive when the elephants come down to the water, choose a driver who keeps a respectful distance, and stay flexible, because the herds move between Minneriya and neighbouring Kaudulla depending on the water, and a good guide will take you to wherever they are on the day. Base yourself around Habarana or Polonnaruwa and book the evening before.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Around USD 15 to 25 for foreign visitors, plus jeep and service charges
- Opening hours: 6:00am to 6:00pm
- Time needed: Half day
- Best time: July to September, for The Gathering
Getting there
Near Habarana, about 30km from Polonnaruwa. Safaris go by jeep with a driver.
Before you go
- The elephant gathering peaks roughly July to September, when the reservoir is low. That is the time to come for the big herds.
- Take the afternoon drive, when the elephants move down to the water in the softer evening light.
- The herds shift between Minneriya and nearby Kaudulla with the water, so ask your driver which park is best on the day.
- Choose an operator who keeps a respectful distance from the elephants rather than crowding them.
Frequently asked questions
- What is The Gathering at Minneriya?
- In the dry season, hundreds of wild elephants converge on the receding Minneriya reservoir to feed on the fresh grass, sometimes over a hundred at once. It is one of the largest gatherings of Asian elephants anywhere and the main reason to visit.
- When is the best time to go?
- Roughly July to September, when the water is low and the herds gather. Outside that window the elephants disperse and sightings are far smaller.
- How much does a safari cost?
- Expect somewhere around USD 15 to 25 for foreign park entry plus the jeep and driver, less per person if you share. Bring cash.
- Minneriya or Kaudulla?
- They share the same elephant herds, which move between the two with the water. A good driver will take you to whichever park the elephants are in that day, so trust their call.