Three parks. Oneherd on themove.
The elephants of the region shuttle between Minneriya, Kaudulla and Hurulu with the seasons. Here is how the three compare.
Minneriya
150 to 300+ elephants, peaking in August
Home of the Gathering, the largest assembly of Asian elephants on Earth. As the reservoir recedes it leaves lush grass, and the herds come out of the forest to drink, feed and socialise on the plain.
- The famous dry-season Gathering
- Open plains, easy to watch and photograph
- Sambar and spotted deer, langurs, painted storks
Kaudulla
Large herds, often with many young calves
An important elephant corridor linking Somawathie Chaitiya and Minneriya. When the monsoon floods Minneriya, the herds move here, and the open grassland around the tank becomes the best place to be.
- Prime sightings during the rains
- Herds crossing open plains at dusk
- Mugger crocodiles and stork colonies
Hurulu
Usually 50 to 150 elephants
Evergreen forest and reliable, year-round sightings, especially through the wet season when the other parks are hard going. Tracking here is closer and quieter, among the trees.
- Dependable through the wet season
- Dense forest tracking, with fewer jeeps
- Beautiful light through the canopy
Which one is best this week?
Seasons shift with the rains, and a dry spell or an early monsoon can move the herds weeks either way. That is why we check every park before your safari.
Herd gauge, ask for today
- Minneriyaunchecked
- Kaudullaunchecked
- Hurulu Eco Parkunchecked