Sri Lanka

Elephants at Minneriya

Byangusmccormick March 22, 2026March 22, 2026

The heart of The Minneriya National Park is the Minneriya Wewa, a large reservoir built more than 1700 years ago under the instruction of King Mahasen of the ancient Anuradhapura Kingdom. The government entrance fee is 40 dollars for foreigners. The entrance to the park is a thirty-minute drive from Sigiriya.

Northern Sri Lanka’s dry season (especially July to September), is a great time to view elephants at Minneriya. It is an impressive sight as they gather at the edge of the reservoir in large numbers.

Unlike the safari at Yala National Park, it wasn’t possible to join another group and I ended up hiring a small jeep with driver for a half-day.

Photo of me infant of the jeep — Posing with the jeep

Waiting for the mob of jeeps to get out of the way of the reservoir access

Part of the herd made it past the jeeps — A quick dash past the jeeps

The elephants were mostly gathered at the same area on the reservoir. We saw four herds of about 20 elephants. There were almost as many jeeps as elephants!

A bull elephant with only one tusk — Unlike African elephants the female Asian elephants don’t have tusks

Bulls, while being on the periphery of their herd, tend to be solitary. Several baby elephants stayed close by their mothers.

Baby elephant with its mother — Mummy and baby

The herd of elephants under a tree beside the reservoir — Almost at the reservoir

The herd by the reservoir has been joined by the large male — The large male has joined the clan

Elephants managing to maintain greater distance from the tourists — Escaping the tourists

The elephants bathing in the water — Enjoying the water

Elephants and waterfowl at the lake with an eagle in the air

Next post: The Ancient Kingdom of Anuradhapura

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