Minneriya National Park Private Safari

First of all i would like to thank Travceylon to given this amazing experience. also we had an experienced driver/guide. he had a eagle eye to find animals. we saw lot of animals, like elephants, crocodiles, deer and so many birds. at the end of the safari we could drink coconut also. i would like to highly recommend these team.

We had a great evening at Minneriya with Travceylon. Our driver Dhanushka polite informative and friendly. We saw lot of elephants at the grassland. we saw deer, crocodiles and birds too. vehicle was comfortable. Definitely recommended.

I was hoping to see an elephant and actually saw about 75. Lots of babies. The elephants looked healthy and happy, just doing their thing.

It was great! We enjoyed our private safari, so would highly recommend and worth every penny. We had a great guide and driver. He made sure to point out animals that we might have missed. Made it comfortable to keep distance from other vehicles.

It was a fantastic experience. We have never seen so many elephants together, babies, teenagers, moms, dads. Our safari driver had a great eye and knowledge about animals. Also we saw plenty of birds, deer, and crocodiles too. Would highly recommended

The safari itself was genuinely great, the wildlife, guides, and overall experience in the park were all excellent. However, what happened before and after completely overshadowed it. First, the company changed the safari park last minute, which was further. Second, when my original pick-up person had to go to the hospital, I asked to be dropped off 5 km from the park, well within their advertised free drop-off radius so I could reach Wi-Fi and book a ride home. Simple and reasonable. Instead, they argued that the drop-off had to be at a hotel and demanded I pay extra. After back-and-forth, they dropped me off just 2.5 km from the park gate, in the middle of nowhere, with no phone reception and no Wi-Fi access. I was stranded on the side of the road for over 2.5 hours with no way to call for help, load a map, or book a ride. This was not just poor customer service, it was a safety issue. Their policy clearly states free drop-off within a 5 km radius, with no mention of hotel-only restrictions. They failed to honour that policy and left a customer stranded. I would urge anyone booking with this company to get every policy detail in writing beforehand and have a backup plan for transport, just in case. Read more about - Minneriya National Park | Private Safari - https://www.viator.com/en-AU/tours/Anuradhapura/Elephant-Gathering-3-Hour-Private-Safari-in-Minneriya/d27018-227066P2?m=65553&nid=VR.de477658-39f3-477d-86d7-3d09aed6d341.VT_EMAIL_TRV?mcid=56757

The safari itself was genuinely great, the wildlife, guides, and overall experience in the park were all excellent. However, what happened before and after completely overshadowed it. First, the company changed the safari park last minute, which was further. Second, when my original pick-up person had to go to the hospital, I asked to be dropped off 5 km from the park, well within their advertised free drop-off radius so I could reach Wi-Fi and book a ride home. Simple and reasonable. Instead, they argued that the drop-off had to be at a hotel and demanded I pay extra. After back-and-forth, they dropped me off just 2.5 km from the park gate, in the middle of nowhere, with no phone reception and no Wi-Fi access. I was stranded on the side of the road for over 2.5 hours with no way to call for help, load a map, or book a ride. This was not just poor customer service, it was a safety issue. Their policy clearly states free drop-off within a 5 km radius, with no mention of hotel-only restrictions. They failed to honour that policy and left a customer stranded. I would urge anyone booking with this company to get every policy detail in writing beforehand and have a backup plan for transport, just in case.

We booked a 4 hour safari experience.. Our driver Dhanuska was very skilled and experienced. Took us to the best sights.. About 50 elephants were grazing on the grounds.. Amazing experience.. Super

All was okay. We knew most of the elephants had gone to Hurulu but we wanted to enjoy a park with (very) few tourists. We saw a variety of birdlife, giant squirrels, some monkeys and mongoose. What you actually see depends on time of day, season and luck. Interesting vegetation and landscape.

Visited in Sep/Oct 2025. It was a family vacation. I booked a local safari operator who was amazing (TravCeylon Leisure - managed by Dhanushka Weerasinghe). The driver was polite and explained us a lot of things about the elephant reserve and showed us all that was possible. He was quite friendly and made sure the safari was enjoyable, as well as, comfortable. I have been to many wildlife safaris in the Indian Sub-Continent. This is surely in the Top-10.

The Driver was great and kept us save the whole Trip. He always made sure to stay as long as we wanted at one location. We highly recommend the Driver and the Trip

It was a good experience. I ve seen hundreds elephants in 2 hour. Driver was very friendly helpful kind and informative.

It was an unforgettable adventure. The best safari guide. Unfortunately, we chose the wrong time for the safari, and it was very difficult to see elephants. The guide did everything he could to make sure we saw them. Although the safari usually lasts about 2 hours, ours lasted over 5 hours. The guide was constantly calling other people in search of elephants. He provided us with unforgettable views and experiences. We are very grateful for this amazing time.

Dhanuska is a wonderful guide and a skilled driver.. took us to the best sights.. he has a good vision.. treats the animals with respect.. it's great. Minneriya is great for seeing elephants.. friendly and excellent service I recommend this company

"TravCeylon provided excellent communication and seamless booking experience! Our safari at Minneriya National Park was fantastic, with expert guides and thrilling wildlife encounters. Highly recommend TravCeylon for a stress-free and unforgettable experience!

Rainy day safari at Minneriya National Park was unexpectedly amazing! The park's lush greenery was stunning. Our guide's expertise helped us spot wildlife despite the weather. Highly recommend TravCeylon for their excellent service and knowledgeable guides! 🌳🐘 5/5 ⭐️

"Comfortable jeep safari at Minneriya National Park with a knowledgeable driver was a dream! Witnessed the largest gathering of elephants I've ever seen. Unforgettable experience, highly recommend! 🐘🌳

Great tour, our guide was very attentive and found us some amazing spots to see the elephants! I would highly recommend!

We were a group of ten friends.. We booked a six-hour safari experience with this company.. Two comfortable jeeps were prepared.. The company provided us with the necessary water and fresh coconut water.. We saw elephants, small baby elephants, birds, and deer.. A very beautiful park.

"Wow, what an unforgettable experience! Minneriya National Park truly stole my heart. The majestic elephants, the stunning scenery, and the expert guides made our safari adventure truly special. We even caught a glimpse of the famous 'Gathering' of elephants! If you're a wildlife enthusiast, this park is an absolute must-visit. Can't wait to come back! 🌳🐘

There were an incredible number of elephants in the Minneriya National Park. The peaceful environment made us happy. There were a few other jeeps in the park with us. I would like to appreciate the efforts made to ensure that the animals are not harmed. Our company had organized everything well. So happy..

We had a very fun and exciting trip. I will never forget it..a huge herd of elephants..amazing..I was captivated by the little baby elephants playing..they gave us enough time..the driver patiently allowed us to take pictures everywhere..very happy..thank you..

My elephant-gathering safari at Minneriya was magical! We watched hundreds of majestic wild elephants—babies, herds grazing and drinking below the reservoir—especially stunning near sunset. Our respectful guide gave us space to enjoy the scene. Highly recommanded Travceylon.

The company took us to the best park to see elephants. They informed us about it. We were able to see a large herd of elephants. We were able to see as many elephants as we wanted. The driver was very patient and kind. He stopped at every place we wanted. It was a truly great experience. Definitely.

We were lucky enough to see a herd of about 150 elephants in a lake.. Really happy about it.. The little baby elephants are so wonderful.. An unforgettable, wonderful experience that will never be forgotten.. Seeing elephants in Sri Lanka is wonderful.. Thank you to the company for providing a beautiful experience.

The elephant gathering at Minneriya was truly breathtaking. We saw over 100 elephants in one place—an unforgettable sight! Our guide was knowledgeable and ensured we kept a respectful distance. A must-see for wildlife lovers visiting Sri Lanka.

We had a great time at Minneriya National Park for four hours. It was great to see elephants in a beautiful environment.. Dhanuska was a very good guide. .. Gave us the best opportunities.. Would like to recommend the best company to see elephants. TraveCeylon ❤️

The Kaudulla safari tour was an amazing adventure! We saw a huge gathering of elephants in their natural habitat, along with monkeys, birds, and more. Our guide was informative and respectful of the wildlife. A peaceful and memorable experience overall.

The 3-hour Minneriya safari was incredible! Our guide expertly tracked a large herd of elephants, giving us amazing close-up views. We also saw deer, peacocks, and various bird species. The scenery was beautiful, and the experience felt safe and well-organized. A must-do!

Dhanushka was great! Met us at the appointed location & was really helpful directing us for food, drink & toilets. Got us into the park quickly & smoothly. Amazing spotter of the wildlife - saw a small crocodile under the water & then eagles & owls hiding in the trees. Saw some individual elephants & then a big herd. Dhanushka was very considerate of the animals - not the same with some other drivers! He spent as long as we wanted, only moving in when requested. He had heard about another herd of elephants further on in the park beyond the exit road & kindly offered to take us there - what a find, just us & the elephants. Bit of a race to get back to the exit before closing time but he did it! What an amazing way to spend an afternoon! Would highly recommend Dhanushka for a trip around Minneriya.

An unforgettable safari at Minneriya! Witnessed the majestic elephant gathering—hundreds roaming freely near the reservoir. Stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and a peaceful atmosphere made it a magical adventure.

A thrilling safari at Kaudulla! Saw elephants up close in their natural habitat. Peaceful lake views and rich wildlife made it unforgettable. Highly recommended!

Our driver/guide was a great. We did 3hrs safari with him. We saw lot of wild elephants with their natural habitat. We enjoyed the safari. If you are looking safari in Minneriya, i would like to recommend this company.

We saw over 150 elephants near the reservoir—playful calves, herds grazing peacefully. Best from July to October. Some jeeps crowd too close, but with a good guide, it’s unforgettable. A must-see for wildlife lovers in Sri Lanka.

Amazing experience! Witnessed hundreds of elephants in their natural habitat. Peaceful scenery, knowledgeable guides, and unforgettable close-up views. A must-visit for nature lovers!

https://www.tripadvisor.com/UserReviewEdit-g665220-d19693841-Minneriya_National_Park_Private_Safari-Habarana_North_Central_Province.html

Amazing. The guide suggested we go to a different park because the elephants have moved away from Minneriya. So we did. We saw many elephants including babies.

Great morning safari - saw 20+ elephants from big males, pregnant females & some calves. Loved it. Driver and guide did a great job finding the elephants - didnt say much but that was fine!

Dhanushka was a great driver and gave us many tips for seeing elephants at a good time. He was knowledgeable and enthusiastic and was a pleasure to have him host us on this expedition.

An amazing experience in January 2025, we saw lots of elephants. Very clear communication on pick up and booking. Great value for money and would recommend for anyone. Car was very clean and comfy.

They messaged us to say we would be going to Hurulu eco park instead as that's where the elephants were at the moment, and asked if that was still ok with us. We said yes and had a great afternoon seeing elephants on multiple occasions. Saw over 20 in total, including a tiny baby. Our driver was great at getting us good viewing spots whilst being respectful of the elephants and others. We also had the option to stop a couple of times and walk up to some viewing points to get a great 360 view of the park. Great value definitely recommend.

Everything was great! We booked a 3 hour afternoon safari and saw many elephants, just being in the safari car and feeling the wind in our face was amazing. We received a confirmation message the day before and our safari tour guide came with plenty of time before the agreed time, and made sure we were doing good through the whole trip, so the service was great too! Absolutely recommend going, a full day is probably more amazing but if you’re short on time, 3 hours is absolutely great too!

Great afternoon safari at Minneriya NP. I've seen plenty of elephants throughout the tour (definitely more than 100), as well as some other animals. The car was comfortable and clean, and the whole process was smooth. I want to give kudos to Travceylon for its flexibility, and transparency regarding where and when to expect the most elephants in the area.

An amazing experience! We saw so many beautiful elephants roaming free in the nature park. They even walked past our car a couple times so we got to see them right up close. Our guide Asela was incredible too who knew all the best places to see the elephants and taught us a lot about them and the other animals that live there. Highly recommended.

It was a amazing day. Im recommending it. We saw about 150-200 elephants, crocodile, eagles, pelikan. And we can find enough time to take picture and videos

Nice experience! Good communication beforehand about the best park to visit this period of the year. We had a great time! Thank you!

Coffee House was a lovely first base for our family. The room was very clean & spacious. The staff were friendly and helpful & it was good value for money. My children enjoyed the pool.

Car broke down 10 mins into the trip. We had to wait in the heat at the side of the road for nearly an hour. However we had a great adventure and we saw hundreds of Elephants. So in all, bad unfortunate start but a great trip. 👍

Experience the incredible wildlife and impressive flora and fauna,and go on a safari adventure at Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka..Set in the heart of Sri Lanka's cultural triangle,Minneriya National Park offers one of the most magnificent wildlife expeditions in Asia. Minneriya covers around 8,890 hectares and is close to other popular attractions in the country..Polonnaruva,a UNESCO world heritage site,is situated close by,and so are Sigiriya(rock fortress)and Habarana(village ).Travelers who wish to combine an expedition of cultural elements and remarkble wildlife can experience the natural beauty that this spectacular triange has to offer.the landscape of the park comprises evergeen woodland and shrubland alongside marshland and rugged outcrop... Minneriya National Park is located in the country's North Central province.In 1938,it was initally designated as a wildlife sanctuary,however,since the 12th of August 1997,the area was declared as a national park.The closest city to Minneriya is Polonnaruwa,while Colonbo,the capital of Sri Lanka,is situated 113 miles away and is approximately a 4-hour drive... This is a highly protected region and the primary reason is the Minneriya tank and the wildlife encompassing this area.The tank serves as a catchment which is a drainage basin where rainfall collects and drains off into a common channel such as a bay or river.The Minneriya tank was built in the 3rd century AD and was a significant source of water for the king and his people of that time... Minneriya National Park is a joyous dream to any photographer or wildlife enthusiast and provides the opportunity to capture splendid images of congregating Elephants,Sambar deer,Spotted deer,Porcupine,Wild buffalo,wild boar,Mongoose,Monkeys and leopards.The park is breathtakingly beautiful surrounded by magnificent creatures and impressive birdlife with over 160 species of birds including Hornbills,Junglefowl and kingfishers that like to flap their wings in the shallow waters of the tank... If you visit between June and september you can see up to 300 elephants gather around the ancient water tank.your visit can last from three to four hours if you wish to see the park in its entirety.The months of August and september are also suitable for travelers who plan to visit Kaudulla National Park,another wonderful park that sees elephants in high density... The park opens at 6 in the morning and closes at 6 in the evening.Adults must pay a nominal entrance fee while children will receive a discount.There is comfortable accommodation available for visitors who wish to stay overnight,particularly in Habarana or if you're adventurous you can spend the night under the trees gazing at the bright stars... You will find the most amazing flora and fauna,mammals,reptiles and birds at Minneriya National Park.There are 24 species of mammals,26 species of fish,25 species of reptiles,75 species of butterfly and 9 species of amphibians... It's the place of wildlife wonders and the most memorable moments of the grasslands coming alive.A thrilled-packed adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat,Minneriya National Park is where diversity is at its finest with vast expanses of wildlife,picturesque landscape,breathtaking scenery and the amazing sanctuary that houses such exquisite and wondrous natural beauty of Sri Lanka.Leave Minneriya National Park with inspiring images in your mind and heartwarming memories of beautiful and gentle elephants playing with each other in the water,drinking,jostling and bathing gleefully and stirringly.