Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka – Safari Adventures in the Wild

Famed the world over for its amazing elephant gathering, the Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka is also home to diverse animal & bird life.

Location

Elephants gather for water in the plains at Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka | Img. By Al Jazeera English (Flickr), CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Minneriya National Park can be found in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province and features the historic Minneriya tank. Easily accessible for those staying at a Sigiriya hotel, the park is the perfect place for a wildlife safari.

The Gathering

From May to October, the Minneriya National Park plays host to what is known as the “Gathering” which features literally hundreds of elephants coming together. Special safaris during this time organised by hotels such as Jetwing Vil Uyana give one a chance to get up close to this spectacular phenomenon.

Other Animals

Jetwing Vil Uyana Experience | Img.credit: [Jetwing Vil Uyana]

Elephants are not the only animal residents at Minneriya which is also home to toque macaques, crocodiles, buffaloes and spotted deer. Sloth bears and leopards are also among the park’s inhabitants though are rarely spotted.

Bird Life

Minneriya National Park | Img. By: Harshadewa Ariyasinghe [Way to Fly] ,CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The park is also a great spot for bird watching with the Minneriya tank attracting a diverse range of water birds as well. Painted storks, cormorants, Sri Lankan Junglefowl, brown-capped babblers and crimson-fronted barbets are just a few of the many avifauna species that one can spot at the Minneriya National Park.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+