Elephant Gathering

Since elephants are people's favorites, elephant vacations have been growing increasingly popular. They are giants with strong family values who are friendly and bright. They are also very large, so the chance to see these giants in the wild should not be passed up. Given the size and length of the island, it is astounding that Sri Lanka is home to 10% of all Asian elephants, or about 5000 wild elephants.

That said, Sri Lanka has more to talk about than elephants. During the dry season in the North Central and Eastern provinces, the Minneriya National Park provides the setting for a breathtaking confluence of elephants. Due to a drought, the area is experiencing a water shortage, which is what drives approximately 300 elephants to the Minneriya Tank. Elephants need water to survive since they typically drink around 100 liters of water a day when they are fully grown.

The Minnerya Irrigation Tank was constructed by one of the early Sinhalese monarchs, Mahasena, in the third century AD within what is today known as the Minneriya National Park. Elephants seek sanctuary in this historic tank during dry seasons when waterholes in the trees have evaporated into mud patches.

They all gather at the Minneriya Tank because it collects water during the monsoon and provides water to parched elephant herds during the long months of the drought. According to wildlife specialists, the elephants gather at this time to drink water and eat the grass that grows on the tank's bottom.

The Minneriya Elephant Gathering is the result of numerous different wild elephant herds coming together in one location, rather than an elephant migration. This massive gathering of wild Asian elephants is an incredibly rare and unusual global occurrence because they originate from a variety of different places in the North Central Province. Lonely Planet placed what is now known as "The Gathering" sixth on their list of the top wildlife spectacles in the world.

This annual gathering is likewise regarded as the largest in South Asia, and it is immensely popular with people who wish to watch it. At Minneriya, visitors may watch as numerous elephant herds graze, drink, and play on the dry tank bed. Some fortunate elephant aficionados might even get to see a tusker or two.

On an elephant safari to Minneriya, wildlife enthusiasts may also see various deer species, monkeys, and possibly even a few leopards. The tank's floor is also a popular location for birds. The tank is frequently visited by painted storks, egrets, and the white-bellied fish eagle in the hopes of capturing some fish in its shallow waters. Make an elephant adventure reservation as soon as possible with Hotel Express because the gathering is at its best in August and September.