Largest Elephant Gathering in the world is in sri lanka
If you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka to arrive between June to September, there’s one attraction you shouldn’t miss. Let me give you a hint. It involves Asian Elephants, a National Park, and again lots and lots of elephants. This spectacular event is one of the best experiences for the Wildlife Lovers and Wildlife Photographers too! So what’s this special thing? It’s called The Elephant Gathering and this is mainly associated with the Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka (obviously Sri Lanka). Some call this the Largest Gathering of Asian Elephants in the World and one of the best natural phenomenons for the Elephant-fans!
Elephant Gathering – quick summary
| Where | Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka |
| When | Between the months of June to September (Best during July-August-September) |
| Why | Over 300+ Asian Elephants gathering at one location. |
| Reason | Due to the dry season in the area, Minneriya Tank offers greener-grass & water for the elephants. |
| Time | Mostly in the evenings. So the evening safari is best (between 3.00 PM to 6.00 PM) |
What is the Elephant Gathering?
Simply said, the Largest Gathering of Asian Elephants happening in the World.
During the dry season of the North Central region, less rainfall means a scarcity of food for these mighty beasts. The Minneriya Tank (aka reservoir) built by King Mahasen in the 3rd Century AD is one the largest water-sources in the area. The herds of elephants in the area try their luck at the Minneriya National Park as a source of food and water. This entire story results in one beautiful scenario; hundreds of elephants gathering near the Minneriya Tank every evening to drink water, eat fresh grass and it’s called “The Gathering“, “The Elephant Gathering” by the wildlife lovers.
Minneriya National Park
Minneriya National Park, located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, is an ideal habitat for elephants. The park’s diverse ecosystem, including grasslands, forests, and wetlands, supports a rich variety of flora and fauna. The Minneriya Reservoir, built by King Mahasen in the 3rd century AD, becomes a focal point for wildlife during the dry season, attracting elephants from surrounding areas.
Why Minneriya National Park for the Elephant Gathering?
Minneriya is located in the North Central Province, which lies in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. During the Yala season, the southwestern parts of the island receive the majority of the rainfall, while the northeastern regions, including Minneriya, remain relatively dry.
The central highlands of Sri Lanka act as a barrier, causing the southwest monsoon winds to drop most of their moisture on the windward side (southwestern slopes) of the mountains. As a result, the leeward side, including the North Central Province where Minneriya is located, receives significantly less rainfall during this period.
The dry season in Minneriya coincides with the Yala season when the northeastern part of Sri Lanka typically receives minimal rainfall. This seasonal pattern creates the perfect conditions for the Minneriya Reservoir (Tank) to become a crucial water source for wildlife.
Note: Even during the other months of the year, Minneriya National Park and it’s neighbouring national parks such as Kaudulla National Park are famous for elephant sightings. But the gathering of over 300 elephants at once is a special event.
How to see the Elephant Gathering?
As to many National Parks in Sri Lanka, visiting the Minneriya National Park must be in Jeeps. Of course, when you plan your tour with Meshaun Journeys, we make sure you get the best Tour Guide & even the Naturalist who will help you make the best of the safari tour at the Minneriya National Park. Experienced guides can enhance your safari experience by providing insightful information about the elephants and their behavior.
Safari’s at the Minneriya National Park
In the practical scenario, there are 2 timings for the Safari at the Park.
- Morning Safari (06 AM to 09 AM)
- Evening/Afternoon Safari (03 PM to 06 PM)
Elephant Gathering is best experienced for the Evening Safari from 03 PM to 06 PM. Since the dry zone afternoons are harsh and dry, elephants come and gather near the Minneriya Tank each evening.
More wildlife to spot at Minneriya National Park
Toque macaques, Sambar deer, Buffalo, Crocodiles are some of the highlights other than the Asian Elephants to spot at Minneriya National Park.
Price for Minneriya National Park
For the the visitors, there are two components for the Safari ride.
- Minneriya National Park Entrance fee (roughly USD 45.00) per person
- Safari Jeep Hire = USD 40.00
So basically for a couple, the total is about USD 130.00 net (USD 65.00 per person) whereas the cost slightly goes down for sharing the safari jeep.
Each Jeep carries a maximum of 06 passengers during each safari ride.
Add The Elephant Gathering to your Sri Lanka Trip
Of course Sri Lanka is a destination of many attractions and experiences. The Elephant Gathering is one such activity which you can include in your program.
This experience could be added during a stay in Dambulla, Sigiriya, or Polonnaruwa areas due to the shorter driving distances. There are no accommodations/hotels inside the Minneriya National Park. So you can choose a hotel in the area and the tour guide will take you to the Safari Park entrance to start this safari experience.
Together with the Minneriya Safari experience, you can add more cultural and heritage sites like Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple, Hiriwadunna Village Tour, Ritigala Monastery visit, Anuradhapura Ancient Ruins visit as well.
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