A utopia on earth, the Minneriya National Park is home to what is dubbed the “Sixth Greatest Wildlife Spectacle” by Lonely Planet. Located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, 182km away from Colombo, the area was designated as a national park on the 12th of August 1997, although it was originally declared a sanctuary in 1938. It is one of the best places in Sri Lanka for safari, owing to the abundance of elephants, a plethora of avifauna, and historical significance.
Geography:
The Minneriya National Park is situated in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, and has several habitats including low-canopy montane forests, intermediate high-canopy secondary forests, scrublands, abandoned chena lands, grasslands, rocky outcrops, and wetlands. The wet season lasts from October to January due to the north eastern monsoon. Because it is centred on the great lake of Minneriya, the forests are lush and there is evidence of cultivations and scrublands, as well as eucalyptus and teak which were planted by the Department of Forest Conservation.
Fauna at Minneriya:
The Minneriya National Park is home to 24 species of mammals, 160 kinds of birds as well as amphibians, butterflies and fish. Although,the elephants are regarded as the main attraction, you might even be able to catch sight of rare and endangered animals like the Sri Lankan Leopard, the Sloth Bear, Purple-Faced Langur, Toque Macaque, and Sambar Deer. The area is dormitory for many resident and migrant birds. The Great White Pelican, Ruddy Turnstone, and the Grey Heron are some of the few water birds that can be spotted at Minneriya. Keep an eye out for endemic birds like the Jungle Fowl, Sri Lankan Hanging Parrot, The Brown-Capped Babbler and the Crimson-Fronted Barbet.
The Gathering:
An amazing phenomenon which has become increasingly popular over the years, the Minneriya Gathering is an attraction you should not miss out on. It is the largest congregation of Asian Elephants in the world, where up to 300 of these gentle beasts can be seen grazing on the fresh grass by the Minneriya Lake or lazing around freely in the park. The elephants are in their natural habitat, and could sometimes get aggressive if provoked. So, just observe in silence and be amazed by these jumbos.
The Minneriya Lake:
The Minneriya Tank was built by King Mahesen who ruled in Anuradhapura. The reservoir occupies 4670 acres and contains over 20 billion gallons of water. As the dry season begins to wither, the lush green lands of the Central province, the elephants come to the lake to quench their thirst, bathe and enjoy the water in general. The elephants have always been around, and given that the reservoir never dries, they will always head to the great lake during the dry season. It becomes the centre of herds and is quite picturesque.
When to Visit:
The elephant gathering occurs every year from June to October, with numbers peeking from August onwards. During the onset of the wet season, in October, the elephants disperse to the surrounding jungles close to Habarana. However, you could still witness about 50 elephants in the area, during the late afternoons. So, regardless of when you visit, you are still guaranteed to see elephants and other creatures that could make this trip a highlight for you.
