Dominated by the huge 1700-year-old water tank of Minneriya Wewa, the 89 sq km of scrub, forest and wetlands in Minneriya National Park is home to toque macaques, sambar deer, buffalo, crocodiles and (rarely seen) leopards, but it's the seasonal arrival of over 200 elephants that really draws visitors to Minneriya. The dry season, from April to October, when water in the tank is at its lowest, is the best time to visit, with elephant numbers peaking during late July, August and September, but it's possible to see elephants here at other times of year, too. The elephants come for the nutritious, tender grass that sprouts up as the monsoon waters recede.
The initial 40-minute drive (along a poor dirt road) into the heart of the park is through dense forest, where wildlife sightings are rare. But then the landscape opens up dramatically, and the views across the tank are superb. Early mornings are generally best for spotting birds such as cormorants, painted storks, herons and pelicans, while late afternoon is the best time to see groups of wild elephants.
The park entrance is on the Habarana–Polonnaruwa Rd. A visitor center near the entrance sells tickets and has a few exhibits about the park's natural history.
