Places to Visit in Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka, Asia

Places to Visit in Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka, Asia

Minneriya National Park is situated in North Central Province of Sri Lanka geographically positioned 7°58′44″ N 80°50′56″ E, is located about 203 kms from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka and about 117 kms from Kandy City. It was recognized as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1938 and was declared as a national park in 1997.

The water tank is located near the park is named as Minneriya Tank was constructed during 3^rd century AD by King Mahasen. Minneriya National Park is famous for its large population of Sri Lankan Elephants and is considered as one of the seventy Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of Sri Lanka.

Geography of Minneriya National Park:

Minneriya National Park is spread over an area of 8,889.4 hectares and is located between 7°58′44″ N latitude and 80°50′56″ E longitude. The lowest temperature in the park is 20.6 °C and highest is 34.5 °C.

Flora of Minneriya National Park:

Minneriya National Park is home to varieties of trees and plants and the most common flora species include Manilkara hexandra, Neem, Azadirachta indica, Sacred fig Bauhinia racemosa and Terminalia arjuna.

The dominant plant species found in Minneriya Park include Vitex altissima, and Drypetes sepiaria and Chloroxylon swietenia.

Ceylon Date Palm, Panicum maximum and Bambusa bambos are the different grass species seen in Minneriya National Park.

Fauna of Minneriya National Park:

Minneriya National Park houses 160 species of birds, 24 species of animals, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, 75 species of butterfplaced and 9 species of amphibians.

Sri Lankan elephants are the prime attractions of the park and most of the tourists visit park during the dry season to glimpse group of animals. This park is also home to 2 Sri Lankan endemic monkeys Purple-faced Langur and Toque Macaque. Other animals found in the park include Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Sri Lankan Leopard and Sri Lankan Sloth Bear.

The Minneriya reservoir is home to diverse water birds namely Lesser Adjutant, Ruddy Turnstone, and Grey Heron. The endemic species birds found in the park include Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Black-crested Bulbul and Sri Lanka Junglefowl.

The reptiles in Minneriya National Park are Painted-lip Lizard, Lankascincus fallax, Indian python and Saltwater Crocodile. The park is an important habitat for Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger amphibians.

How to reach Minneriya National Park?

The nearest city to Minneriya National Park is Polonnaruwa situated 16 kms away. There are several tourist vehicles to reach the park. The closest major bus stand is Polonnaruwa Bus Stand (18 kms).

The nearest railway station and airport to Minneriya National Park include Hingurakgoda Railway Station and Hingurakgoda Airport, (Polonnaruwa) placed about 10 kms and 14 kms away respectively.

To eat and drink:

The few shops located near the park offers some packet food and mineral water bottles and one can reach the hotels and restaurants of Polonnaruwa City (16 km away) for better food.

The list of other tourist attractions near Minneriya National Park is as follows:

Royal Palace
Lankatilaka Temple
Thuparama
Sandakada Pahana
Statue at Gal Vihariya
Medirigiriya Vatadage
Polonnaruwa Vatadage
Statue of King Parakramabahu

Best time to visit Minneriya National Park:

The months between June and September are the ideal time to travel Minneriya National Park to come across rich flora and fauna.

Accommodation options near Minneriya National Park:

There are few cottages and hotels are located near Minneriya National Park, so one can find the hotels of Polonnaruwa City (16 km) for better accommodation. The list of best hotels near Minneriya National Park is as follows: