Wildlife · Habarana · Cultural Triangle

Where the Elephants Gather

Minneriya Tank — 10 km east of Habarana

GRASS MEETS WATERPhoto by Cherubino on Wikimedia Commons8.0330° N, 80.8830° E

Sometimes more than 300 elephants feed on the tank bed at once — the largest known gathering of Asian elephants anywhere.

A reservoir built by King Mahasena, who ruled 276–303 CE, now inside Minneriya National Park east of Habarana. As the water recedes between July and October, wild elephants move onto the exposed grass shores.

Adjacent entries

Giritale TankOutdoors · 6 kmUnagalawehera Rajamaha ViharayaCultural · 12 kmKaudulla National ParkWildlife · 14 km