Minneriya National Park, located in the North Central Province
famous for its large herds of elephants reaching 300 specimens.
Declared a National Park on August 12, 1997, it extends in a dry area 9 kilometers east of the town of Habarana.
The Minneriya water catchment area surrounded by a green prairie area is the vital center of the park.
During the dry season from May to September, the vegetation and waters of Lake Minneriya attract and provide sustenance for elephants from the provincial forests.
The Safari takes place on board an authorized 4×4 jeep and accompanied by a local guide for a duration of about 2 hours.
You will also encounter buffaloes, deer, macaques, crocodiles and pythons, besides among the birds you can observe hornbills, herons, storks, cormorants, and parrots.
The large artificial lake Minneriya was created by building a dam on the Minneriya river at the behest of King Mahasen to the government of Anuradhapura from 277 AD. to 304 AD
Powered by the Amban River, the main tributary of the Mahaveli River, which flows through the artificial channel of Elahera, work carried out during the reign of Vasabha (65 AD-109 AD).
