Minneriya National Park

If you wish to view large herds of Sri Lanka’s gentle giants, then your best bet would be to head over to the Minneriya National Park between the months of July and September. It is between these months that the dry season kicks in and the elephants migrate to the park in search of water. The Minneriya Tank retains water throughout this season and proves to be the ideal thirst quencher! These elephants are said to migrate to Minneriya from surrounding parks like Wasgamuwa and Kaudulla National Parks. During this season, up to 200 wild Asian Elephants are seen grazing around the tank or taking a cool dip in the water to relieve themselves from the sweltering heat. This phenomenon is known as ‘The Gathering’.


Although I did not get the opportunity to view The Gathering at its prime in the month of August, I was able to make my way to Minneriya late last month and was pleasantly surprised! We headed to the park early evening, as we were told that the elephants begin to wander out of the thick jungle at this time since it’s always much cooler. As our jeep ambled its way through the jungle and onto the open plains overlooking the glistening Minneriya Tank, we were heralded by a herd of 20 to 30 elephants.

The sheer excitement of seeing these wonderful beasts in their natural habitat is undeniable, even for someone who has been on elephant safari before. Observing the herd closer we were able to make out individual family units including the mothers, young calves and the dominant matriarch of the herd. As we all twisted and turned, bending over backwards in order to capture that perfect shot, I began to realise that this is how elephants should ideally be viewed. Not covered in bejeweled drapery (although this is also quite a site), but in their natural habitat. Enthralled, I watched a baby calf covered in fuzzy fluff hide behind its mother whilst two calves playfully charged at one another ending up in a gridlock in the distance.






Other than these majestic beasts, the park itself makes for an interesting evening visit. Not only is the topography entirely different to the shrub jungle you would usually see in the popular Yala National Park, but this park is also home to many other animals – specifically a vast array of beautiful birds, Sambar deer and a number of interesting reptiles and amphibians. Thick dense jungle makes it slightly harder to spot the animals, however when you do it is an entirely rewarding experience. Meandering along the red earth pathways you will occasionally notice the fragrant smell of pine needles- a welcome aroma from the perfume of pungent elephant dung!






As if life couldn’t get any better, we were able to catch the rosy-pink blushing sky cast its glow over the glinting Minneriya Tank. What better way to end a day, with the company of one the worlds largest land mammals plodding along in the distance!