Things to see in Sri Lanka: Minneriya National Park
- Fact: Minneriya National Park is famous for its huge herds of elephants, particularly from June to September when more than 300 gather on the receding shores of the Minneriya Tank. This gathering of elephants at Minneriya is an awesome spectacle which ranks alongside some of the better known wildlife spectacles in East Africa.
The park is located a short distance north of Dambulla in eastern Sri Lanka. Sambar and Chital are commonly seen and birding highlights include the Sri Lanka grey hornbill and Sri Lanka jungle fowl.
Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temples are also nearby. Polonnaruwa's palaces and shrines are a World Heritage Site, home to troops of monkeys, whilst Dambulla Cave Temples house spectacular ceiling paintings. Sigiriya's citadel and ruins are the remains of great civilisations and in surrounding water tanks dwell many different water-birds.
Other things to see in Sri Lanka
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Bundala Lewaya/Kalametiya Reserves
Bundala Lewaya, recognised by Ramsar, and the Kalametiya Reserve are both important wetland areas…
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Kandy & Udawattakele Rainforest Reserve
Kandy is a charming lakeside town, with rich historical, cultural and natural…
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Minneriya National Park
Minneriya National Park is famous for its huge herds of elephants, particularly from June to…
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Nuwara Eliya & Horton Plains
Nuwara Eliya was once a popular British hill station, situated in the heart of 'tea country', and…
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Primate Research Camp
The Primate Research Camp of Dr. Wolfgang Dittus is located by the lovely Parakrama Samudraya…
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Sinharaja Rainforest
If you have time, a visit to Sinharaja is a must! The forest is the last remaining primary lowland…
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Udawalawe National Park
Walawe Reservoir and Udawalawe National Park comprise open plains and hills located in south-west…
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Yala National Park
Yala National Park is Sri Lanka's oldest wildlife reserve, which is famous for having one of the…
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Places to stay in Sri Lanka
Bundala Lewaya/Kalametiya Reserves
Oasis Hotel [High]
![Minneriya National Park - Bundala Lewaya/Kalametiya Reserves - Oasis Hotel [High]](/image_database/75x75C/LKCMBWIBlueMagpie.jpg)
The Oasis Hotel is in Hambantota, within easy striking distance of Bundala Lewaya and Kalametiya… More
Colombo
Cinnamon Lakeside [High]
![Minneriya National Park - Colombo - Cinnamon Lakeside [High]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_cinnamon_lakeside_colombo_sri_lanka_1.jpg)
Cinnamon Lakeside is set on the edge of the beautiful Beira Lake, in the heart of… More
Goldi Sands [Mid]
![Minneriya National Park - Colombo - Goldi Sands [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_goldi_sands_negumbo_sri_lanka_1.jpg)
If you'd prefer to stay at the beach, Goldi Sands offers a good option just an hour north of… More
Taj Exotica Resort [High]
![Minneriya National Park - Colombo - Taj Exotica Resort [High]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_taj_exotica_bentota_sri_lanka_1.jpg)
The Taj Exotica resort is located a couple of hours south of Colombo and offers 162 air-conditioned… More
Kandy & Udawattakele
Amaya Hills [High]
![Minneriya National Park - Kandy & Udawattakele - Amaya Hills [High]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_sri_lanka_kandy.jpg)
A large hilltop hotel with magnificent views to the lakeside city of Kandy and across the… More
Hotel Suisse [Mid]
![Minneriya National Park - Kandy & Udawattakele - Hotel Suisse [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/LKCMBACKANDYHOTELSUISSE.jpg)
An elegant colonial style hotel which overlooks Lake Kandy and provides comfortable accommodation… More
Minneriya
Chaaya Village [High]
![Minneriya National Park - Minneriya - Chaaya Village [High]](/image_database/75x75C/elephants_sri_lanka.gif)
Chaaya Village Habarana reaches across 13 hectares, and borders a spectacular… More
Nuwara Eliya & Horton Plains
Galway Forest Lodge [Mid]
![Minneriya National Park - Nuwara Eliya & Horton Plains - Galway Forest Lodge [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_sri_lanka_teahills.jpg)
A lovely forest hideaway, located a couple of kilometres outside Nuwara Eliya - its location is… More
St Andrew's Hotel [High]
A classic colonial hotel located next to the golf… More
Primate Research Camp
Primate Camp [Mid]
![Minneriya National Park - Primate Research Camp - Primate Camp [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/LKCMBWILANGUR001.jpg)
Accommodation is in basic but clean and comfortable rooms, which accommodate up to four… More
Sinharaja Rainforest
Ratnaloka Hotel [Mid]
![Minneriya National Park - Sinharaja Rainforest - Ratnaloka Hotel [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_sri_lanka_HangingParrot.jpg)
Located about eight kilometres from the town of Ratnapura, a couple of hours drive from the World… More
Udawalawe
Centauria Hotel [Mid]
![Minneriya National Park - Udawalawe - Centauria Hotel [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_sri_lanka_Wildpigs.jpg)
This is a simple hotel that lies on the edge of Chandrika Reservoir, just south of Udawalawe… More
Yala
Yala Village Hotel [High]
![Minneriya National Park - Yala - Yala Village Hotel [High]](/image_database/75x75C/LKCMBWILEOPARD001.jpg)
Yala Village Hotel borders the park and sits beside miles of golden Indian Ocean… More