Minneriya National Park — Local services in Sri Lanka

Lovely park of elephants and king dom of asian elephants.It is the largest known meeting place of Asian Elephants in the world. During this period herds up to 300 elephants are seen at the 8,890 hectare park within a few square kilometers of the Minneriya Reservoir. In August and September each year during the dry season, wild elephants from the surrounding wilderness in search of food and water, makes their way to the shores of the Minneriya Reservoir adjoining the Minneriya National park Huge herd of elephants, sometimes numbering up to 300, converge together within a few square kilometers of the lake.that covers an area of 8,889 hectares is of tropical monsoon climate: annual rainfall is about 1146mm and mean annual temperature is 27.5 centigrade. The altitude ranges from100m to 885m at the top of Nilgala peak. We can see the Difarant animals in thise park Among the 24 species of mammals resident in the park are Elephants, Leopards, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Wild Buffalo, Wild Pig, Grey Langers, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, three species of Mongoose, Porcupine and...

If someone seeking a national park to see the huge number of Elephants, this is the best national park in Sri Lanka. Somedays you will be able to see Elephants more than 200 including baby Elephants. There are few huge open areas with lakes. When Elephants came to drink water you can enjoy a very nice view. Everything safari is best since most of Elephants use to come to the lacks to drink water and you can enjoy the sunset as well. Mainly this park famous only for Elephants. Rest of animals hard to see. Such as Leopards, Bears, Deers, Crocodiles like in Yala National Park. Adjacent to the the Minnariya National Park, there are another 2 national parks. They are Hrulu Eco Park and Kaudulla National Park. I have visited these all National Parks. But as my experience if someone wants to see lot of Elephants with lovely lakes, the best National Park is Minnariya...

The good - went in August 2025 and the elephant gathering (although less numerous than previous years) was ins full swing. Saw countless elephants and it was truly moving.

The bad - crowd control is absolutely nonexistent, and the place is overrun with jeeps, some driving terribly and terribly close to the elephants, disturbing them, even scaring them out of the way. They would also drive off the path to pass each other.

While I was moved by the elephants, I wish I hadn’t come to support this reserve as they have no safeguards in place for the elephants.

The organizers (government? Or regulating agency) absolutely needs to control the number of jeeps that are able to...