Each dry season, hundreds of wild elephants gather on the grassy shores of an ancient reservoir, one of the great wildlife spectacles of Asia.
At the centre of Minneriya National Park lies the Minneriya tank, a reservoir built by King Mahasena in the 3rd century AD. During the dry months the water draws back, leaving fresh grass on its shores, and elephants from the surrounding forests come to graze, bathe and socialise. This seasonal spectacle is known as The Gathering, and on good days hundreds of elephants can be seen at once.
When to go
The Gathering usually runs from July to October, with the largest herds in August and September. Outside these months, many elephants move to the nearby Kaudulla or Hurulu Eco Park, and local jeep drivers know where the herds have gone that week.
On safari
- Afternoon trips are best: the herds come out onto the open grass from mid-afternoon.
- Watch for young bulls sparring, mothers guarding tiny calves and herds splashing in the shallows.
- Other wildlife includes toque macaques, purple-faced langurs, crocodiles and huge flocks of water birds such as painted storks and pelicans.
Responsible viewing
- Choose drivers who keep a respectful distance and never block the herds' path to water.
- Keep noise down and stay inside the jeep.
Where to stay
Minneriya sits between Habarana, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, so it combines easily with the Cultural Triangle. Many visitors explore ruins in the morning and head to the park after lunch.
