Sri Lanka is home to an array of national parks scattered all over the country. Among them is one of the most visited national parks, Minneriya National Park. The park is located in North Central Province, at a distance of 225 KM from Colombo. This protected wildlife sanctuary provides a home for a range of animals. A highlight of the park is the Minneriya Tank, which was built in the 3rd century by King Mahsen.
Fauna
The park provides shelter for a diverse array of animals. 25 reptile species, 160 bird species, 24 mammal species, and 75 butterfly species inhabit the park.
Elephant gatherings
During the dry season, tourists can see large gatherings of elephants near the reservoir. These elephants come out of the forested area in search of water. They travel from Wasgamuwa National Park in their hundreds – you can see around 200 elephants in a herd, and some reports say that the number can go up to 700.
Safari tours
Located minutes away from Habarana Village by Cinnamon, the park is one of the most visited parks for safari tours. Both morning tours and evening tours are available. Morning tours usually start at 6 AM, while evening tours start at 1 PM. If you are staying at a Sri Lanka resort near the park, you can get the hotel to arrange tours for you.
