National Park

Fact Sheet

The Elephant Gathering is the key attraction of this park. In the dry season, from about June thru September every year, the receding banks of the Minneriya Lake create one of the most unique scenes you will ever see. A mass exodus of elephants create the World famous ‘Minneriya Elephant Gathering‘.
The elephants come from areas beyond the reservoir and at times herds with numbers as large as 300 – 400 can be seen. The animals here socialize, bathe and even find mates. It is a unique phenomenon of nature and can only be witnessed in this park. It was recently listed as the Top no. 6 in the Lonely Planets’ guide to wildlife spectacles of the world.
According to authorities the Elephant Gathering at Minneriya is the largest grouping of Elephants at one time in Asia. Minneriya is the 2nd most visited park in the Country.

At the center of the park is the Minneriya tank (reservoir) that was built in the 3rd century by King Mahasen. The source of water for this lake is the Amban Ganga river. Water from the Minneriya tank feeds both the Kantalai and Kaudulla tanks. The Minneriya Devale (temple) was built in commemoration of King Mahasen, who is considered a deity by the local population.

Park Open : Open Throughout the year

Best Season : April -September

Main Attraction : Elephants, Purple faced langur, Toque macaque & bird-life

Minneriya National park's faunal species include 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies

Shortest Route : Fly to Colombo & drive to Minneriya

Nearby : Kaudulla (18 km), Flood plains (31 km), Maduru Oya (72 km), Wasgamuwa (91 km)

Province : North Central Province

Area : 90 sq. km

Altitude: 100 - 885 m

Vegetation : Tropical dry mixed evergreenrsh

Major City: Anuradhapura (82 km)

Airport : Colombo (190 km)

Railway Station : Anuradhapura (82 km)

Colombo : 190 km