Making Each Day Count

After our visit to the Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and our delicious homecooked lunch, we drove to Minneriya National Park. It is one of the famous sanctuaries in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, known for its rich landscapes and abundant wildlife. The park stretches across 8,889 hectares, encompassing dense forests and grasslands, and the Minneriya Tank which is a man-made lake built in the 3rd century AD. This reservoir attracts diverse species especially during the dry season. Our guide, Thilanka, had arranged a safari for me and D. Initially there were 2 sanctuaries I was choosing from: Minneriya and Kaudalla National Park. Closer to our visit, Thilanka had been in close contact with a trusted safari driver who recommended where the sightings of the elephants were.

At the park’s entrance, we paid 24,000 LKR for me and D (about $80 USD). Shortly thereafter, our safari driver led us to his rugged jeep where Thilanka was waiting. The jeep rumbled through thick forest vegetation, and just a few minutes in, we caught sight of deer darting behind the bushes. It was hot that day, so the shade from the trees provided much-needed relief from the sun’s rays.

Our first major stop came at a small body of water, where a handful of elephants were grazing and splashing lazily. Our driver parked alongside other jeeps, and a hush fell over the group as we watched these gentle giants in awe. The herd, unperturbed by the jeeps, began to move toward the trees. They paused right beside our jeep and waited for us to make way. Having them so close was humbling. Such massive creatures yet so peaceful.

As we continued, we paused intermittently to admire other wildlife: mongoose, water buffaloes and monkeys swinging through a tree.

The landscape opened up as we approached a larger body of water, and the expanse teemed with birds. I’m no expert birder, but my love for birds made this stop a highlight. Thilanka patiently identified species for me: the Black-winged Stilt, the Great Cormorant, the Milky Stork, the Red-wattled Lapwing, the Blue-tailed Bee-eater, and others like the Spotted Dove, Asian Emerald Dove, Greater Coucal, Little Swift, Gray Heron, and Lesser Adjutant. For birdwatchers, this was paradise, and I felt lucky to have Thilanka’s expertise to guide me through variety of birds.

A short ride later, still by the lake, we spotted a larger herd of elephants. Among them were several babies, some of them even walking clumsily. I marveled at the females’ protective instincts, shielding the babies.

Further along, we encountered an even larger group, and Thilanka explained we were witnessing “The Great Gathering.” This phenomenon in Minneriya is seen during the dry season (May to October). Hundreds of elephants converge on the lake’s shores late in the afternoon to drink, bathe, and socialize. It was truly a spectacle and we felt blessed being given the chance to see it with our own eyes. In this massive herd, we spotted more babies, including one our jeep driver pointed out as just two days old. From a distance, we noticed a lone bull elephant. Thilanka asked if we could smell its musk, a pungent scent male elephants emit to attract females during mating season. Intrigued, I focused to catch the odor and soon smelled it in the air. Nearby, an older bull stood watchfully as he guarded the herd, as if exuding his authority over the young bull.

By 4:45 PM, as sundown neared, we bid farewell to the Great Gathering and headed back to the park’s entrance. Thilanka shared his app, proudly showing us a log of the 38 species we had encountered in just three and a half hours. Minneriya’s biodiversity is simply incredible. We thanked our kind safari driver, whose skill had brought us so close to the beautiful animals.

As we left the park, Thilanka surprised us with one final treat by stopping at a roadside fruit vendor. We sampled sweet pineapple and drank King coconut juice. What a perfect way to cap a day of adventure!

Back at our hotel, where we would spend the night, we settled in tired but happy. Even now, the memory of that afternoon fills me with awe. The majestic elephants, the diverse birdlife, and the raw beauty of Minneriya. Nothing compares to the magic of nature, and this safari, guided by Thilanka’s and our safari driver’s expertise, will forever hold a special place in my heart.