Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park is in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka This Park is famous National Park to see Elephants and it’s in the middle of three agricultural towns: Habarana, Polonnaruwa and Minneriya. National Park is Spread over 8,889 Hectares of lands and This is a heavenly area for elephant’s coming from the neighboring jungles to enjoy the lush grass fields on the banks of the Minneriya reservoir, especially during the dry season.avarage rainfalls is about 1,500mm to 2,000 mm and its height is about 60 meters to 500 meters altitude. The lowest temperature and the highest of the park are 20.6 oC and 34.5 oC respectively

Dominant vegetation types found in Minneriya National park are medium canopy secondary forests with scrub, ridge forests with open low canopy species, grasslands, plains and wetlands. Abandoned slash and burn cultivated patches (Chenas) also are found within the National Park. in addition to these teek and eucalyptus plantations planted by the Forest Department seen by the Ambagaswewa and Kahatiwemulla Areas. The top canopy consists trees such as PALU,Satin Wood,Milla,Kalumederiya,Halmilla and Weera are common in the park.this diversity vegetation of the park provide ample food, shelter and protection to the animals living therin.the different types of forest hear provide homeland for different Animals.With the onset dry season,the water level of the minneriya Reservoir drops rapidly, however grass which grow on the exposed rank bed serves as a source of food for the many animals who comes there is search of food and water.

Wild Elephant is the flagship species of the park. Resident wild elephant population in the area is estimated to be between 150-200.Thease Elephants are used to find shelter in the park while the seasonal movements between their natural habitats in Habarana and Girithale areas.Forest with High canopy provide ideal habitat conditions for purple faced Leaf Monkey and Toque Monkey.Minneriya National Park is Paradise for Sambar Deer Nipple on tender Leaves of Short Bushes and Spoted Deer Graze on Open grass lands.it also provides protection to threatened and rare wild animal species such as leopard and sloth bear. There are endemic reptiles such as the painted-lip lizard and the other reptiles that dwell here are the fresh water crocodile, the Indian python and the water monitor.

. The national park’s faunal species include 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies. The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as Lesser Adjutant, Painted Stork, and Spot-billed Pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Large numbers of elephants are attracted to grass fields on the edges of the reservoir during the dry season and the Minneriya tank contributes to sustain a large herd of elephants. Tourists visit Minneriya largely because of elephants; especially in dry season from August to December as it is the high season to witness elephants in Minneriya.

If you visit Minneriya National Park there is two sessions Starting  from Morning 6.00  Am and Evening 2.00 pm and  you Should  Hire Safri Jeep with Professional  Driver .it will be 2 to 4 hours