About Minneriya National park

MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK SAFARI

Minneriya National Park is located in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, 182 kilometers from Colombo. The major cities closest to Minneriya National Park are Habarana and Polonnaruwa.

The renovated, vast ancient Minneriya Rainwater Reservoir that irrigates a considerable area of the district of Polonnaruwa is the focal point of the Minneriya National Park.

Minneriya National Park, which is part of the elephant corridor that connects Kaudulla and Wasgamuwa National Parks, provides visitors with the opportunity to see elephant herds all year. May to October is the best period to visit Minneriya National Park in view of the world-famous Great Elephant Gathering of the Asian wild elephants.

Minneriya National Park Map

Minneriya Safari Tips

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Where is Minneriya park? North Central of Sri lanka
Nearest Town: Habarana
Distance to Nearest Town: 8.5 km
Drive time From Colombo: 3.45 to 4.15 Hours
When to visit? Throughout the year, but best in August to September
Park opening hours: 6 Am to 6.30 Pm
Last time for Ticket purchase: 5.00 Pm
Mode of Game Drive: by Safari Jeep
Is ATM Available near or inside park? No! Nearest ATM at ‘Habarana city’
What currency is accept at Park office? USD Not accept! Only Rupees accepted.
Any Restaurants available at park? No! Please bring Snacks & Water…
What i should bring? A Hat or cap / Sun protection cream / Dust musk / Water / Camera

Great Elephant Gathering at Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park is home to the world’s largest known gathering of Asian elephants. During this period, herds of up to 350 elephants are seen at the 8,890-hectare park within a few square kilometers of the Minneriya Tank. According to some reports, there are as many as 700 elephants. In August and September each year, during the dry season, wild elephants migrate from Wasgamuwa National Park to Minneriya National Park in search of food and shelter. Tourists visit Minneriya National Park largely because of elephants, especially in the dry season.

Minneriya National Park’s Other Animals

The park is an important habitat for Sri Lanka’s two endemic monkeys, the purple-faced langur and the toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as the Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.

Birds at Minneriya National Park

The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as the lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. The great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka jungle fowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul, and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded in this national park is 11.

Amphibians and Reptiles at Minneriya National Park

Among the nine species of amphibians at Minneriya National Park are the endemic and endangered Slender Wood Frog and the Common Tree Frog. Of the 25 species of reptiles recorded in the park, eight are endemic, including the red-lipped lizard. Water and land monitors are also seen here. The Mugger Crocodile can be seen near the tank. Many species of freshwater fish are found in the Minneriya reservoir.

Vegetation at Minneriya National Park

The vegetation of the park consists of tropical dry mixed evergreen forests, abandoned chaparral lands, grasslands, and wetlands. The open grasslands and old chena lands are dominated by the many species of small shrubs.

How to Reach Minneriya National Park

By Bus:
From Colombo – Take a bus to going Polonnaruwa / Batticaloa / Medirigiriya & Dehiaththakandiya, then take off at Minneriya National Park. Journey takes around 5 hours.
From Kandy – Take a bus to going Polonnaruwa / Batticaloa / Medirigiriya & Dehiaththakandiya, then take off at Minneriya National Park. Journey takes around 3.5 hours.
From Trincomalee – Take a bus to going Polonnaruwa / Batticaloa / Medirigiriya & Dehiaththakandiya, then take off at Minneriya National Park. Journey takes around 2 hours.
From Anuradhapura – Take a bus to going Polonnaruwa / Batticaloa / Medirigiriya & Dehiaththakandiya, then take off at Minneriya National Park. Journey takes around 5 hours.

By Taxi / Self Drive:
You can come to Minneriya National Park by Taxi or self drive by using below google map location

https://goo.gl/maps/gfRozGAGTzvbBuqe9

By Train:
You have to take off at ‘Habarana or Minneriya Train Station’. Then take a taxi to Minneriya National Park.

Accommodation at Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park has no accommodation facilities within nearby. But the cities close to Minneriya National Park- Habarana, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Giritale- are full with luxury hotels and lodges.

Nearest Cities to stay is ‘Habarana or Minneriya’. Its around 15-20 minute drive to Minneriya National Park. Also we have hotel pickup service from Sigiriya, Dambulla & Polonnaruwa, it takes around 30-50 minute drive to Minneriya National Park.

Recommended hotels Near Minneriya National Park.

Minneriya City: Deer Park Hotel, Giritale Hotel, Elephant Pass Hotel

Habarana City:Cinnamon Village, Cinnamon Lodge, Aliya Resort, Cassandra Culture resort, Sungreen Resort & spa, Homely guest, Sundari Eco Village

Sigiriya City: Hotel Sigiriya, EKHO Sigiriya, Sigiriya Village, Jetwin Vil uyana

Dambulla City: Sundarass Resort & Spa, Jetwin Lake

Polonnaruwa City:Hotel Sudu Araliya, Thidas Arana, The Lake, Ekho Lake house, Pharo Lake, Ruins chaya

Other Popular National Parks

Kaudulla National Park
Hurulu Eco Park
Maduru Oya National Park
Wilpattu National Park
Yala National Park
Wasgamuwa National Park
Udawalawe National Park
Lahugala Kitulana National Park
Bundala National Park
Gal Oya National Park
Kumana National Park
Horton Place

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