Minneriya National Park — elephants and reservoir safari

Minneriya National Park lies between Habarana and Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province. Managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), it protects dry-zone forest, grassland and the Minneriya Reservoir shore. Elephants, monkeys and resident or migratory birds live here; sightings are not guaranteed.

In the dry season, elephant herds move between Minneriya and nearby parks as water and grazing change. The seasonal Gathering is generally associated with July–October, but timing and numbers vary. Ask a safari operator which park is suitable on the day.

Published 2026 admission estimates for foreign visitors are USD 40 per adult and USD 25 per child aged 6–12; children under 6 are listed as free. Amounts include listed service charges and tax, but the group-based charge changes the final per-person total. Confirm the current permit fee with DWC. Jeep hire is extra; one Habarana operator lists USD 35–45 per private jeep, depending on date and arrangement.

Reach the park from the Habarana–Polonnaruwa area. Entry requires a DWC permit. Follow park rules, stay on permitted tracks, keep a safe distance and never feed wildlife. Check access and current conditions before travelling.

Photo: Chamara.hatharasinghe, “Herd of Elephant in Minneriya National Park”, resized and converted to WebP; CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Herd_of_Elephant_in_Minneriya_National_Park.jpg