MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK – A SERIALIZATION OF SRI LANKAN NATIONAL PARKS

de Silva Wijeyeratne, G. (2007). Minneriya National Park – A serialization of Sri Lankan National Parks. Lanka Woman. April 2007. Pages 92-93. Volume 01, No: 06. ISSN 1800-2617.
The ‘Gathering’, the largest concentration of Elephants in Asia, happens when over 300 gather on the grassland that sprouts on the receding shores of Minneriya Lake. It is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world, and occurs every year between the months of August and September.

Wildlife: In the scrub jungle around the lake, endemic birds found include the Ceylon Junglefowl, Brown-capped Babbler, Cetylon Grey Horbill and Black-capped Bulbul.

Mammals include the endemic Toque Monkey, Hanuman Langur, Gizzeled Indian Squirrel, Jackal and spotted Deer.

Getting there The National Park entrance is near the 35-kilometer post on the A11 running between Habarana and Polonnaruwa.

Accommodation Good hotels at Habarana and Giritale and further afield at Sigirya and Kandalama.

Source: Sri Lanka National Parks & Reserves by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne published by Jetwing Eco Holidays.