When one hears the name Minneriya, their minds automatically go to the famous Minneriya National Park which is one of the major highlights of the Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka. Dominated by the historical Minneriya Tank, the national park in its entirety, sprawls 8,890 hectares of grasslands, thick forests and wetlands to provide shelter and feeding grounds to many wild animals. In the area, Minneriya, Kaudulla and Wasgamuwa National Parks are situated within close proximity to each other. These 3 parks form an ‘elephant corridor’ through which these majestic animals travel safely without any harm. This makes Minneriya, probably the most ideal location in Sri Lanka to enjoy spectacular sights of elephant herds all year around. The dry season, from June to September, is the best time to visit. In August and September each year, Minneriya plays host to the famed annual Elephant Gathering, where herds of up to 300 wild elephants from the surrounding wilderness gather in search of food and water, making their way to the shores of the reservoir adjoining the Park. The remarkable gathering takes place every year, and is an entirely natural event. As the largest known meeting place in the world for Asian elephants, it’s a spectacular sight to see, and may well be one of the most glorious highlights of a truly fulfilling Sri Lankan holiday
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