Evening Safari Minneriya National Park: Asian Elephants

Elephants gather by the thousands on the tank banks during dry season.

An evening safari through Minneriya National Park (or Kaudulla or Hurulu Eco, depending on elephant movement that day) in a private 4WD jeep with an experienced driver and tracker. You're picked up from your hotel in Sigiriya, Habarana, Dambulla or Kandalama at 2 p.m., driven through the park during the hours when Asian elephants are most active, and returned by 6:30 p.m. From July to September, the dry season gathers over 100 elephants, sometimes as many as 400, along the water's edge. Bottled water, soft drinks and a small snack come with the ride.

The experience

The timing is built around elephant behavior. These animals are only active in the park during evening hours, which is why the safari runs from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 or 6 p.m. The driver knows where the herds move day to day. He gathers data on their location and chooses which of the three parks (Minneriya, Kaudulla, or Hurulu Eco) will give you the best sighting that afternoon. During the dry season from July through September, when water is scarce, elephants congregate on the banks of Minneriya tank in numbers that make the gathering visible from a distance.

You travel in a luxury 4WD safari jeep, which gives you height and stability for spotting and photographing across the terrain. The driver is an experienced tracker who knows the park's layout and animal patterns. Along the way you'll see other species as well. The park holds more than just elephants. Bottled water, soft drinks and a small snack sustain you through the drive. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Habarana, Sigiriya, Dambulla or Kandalama, so you don't arrange separate transport.

An adult male elephant weighs around 5,400 kg and stands 2.7 meters tall. Females are smaller at 2,700 kg and 2.2 meters. They can eat up to 300 pounds of food per day and drink over 200 liters of water in minutes, which is why they're drawn to the tank during the dry months. The park's evening light and the elephants' active hours align to give you the clearest view of their behavior: how they drink, play, and move as a herd.

What’s included

• Transportation in a luxury 4WD safari jeep.
• service of an experienced driver and tracker.
• bottled water and soft drinks.
• a small snack during the drive.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Habarana, Sigiriya, Dambulla or Kandalama.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Options for this experience

4 options

Evening safari departing from HabaranaGuide in English · 14:00Pickup and drop-off from or to any location in Habarana are provided, along with a 4WD jeep, an experienced driver/tracker, entrance tickets, a snack and bottled water.

Evening safari departing from SigiriyaGuide in English · 14:00Pickup and drop-off from or to any location in Sigiriya are provided, along with a 4WD jeep, an experienced driver/tracker, entrance tickets, a snack and bottled water.

Evening safari departing from DambullaGuide in English · 13:30Pickup and drop-off from or to any location in Dambulla are provided, along with a 4WD jeep, an experienced driver/tracker, entrance tickets, a snack and bottled water.

Evening safari departing from KandalamaGuide in English · 13:00Pickup is included

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 13:00, 13:30 and 14:00

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Merganser Holidays

Is this one for you?Choose your pickup location when you book (Sigiriya, Habarana, Dambulla, or Kandalama), so the safari fits the hotel where you're staying without a separate transfer. The evening timing is what makes the sighting possible: elephants are only active in the park after 2 p.m., so an afternoon departure gets you there during their moving and drinking hours.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

When is the best time to see the most elephants on this safari?

July through September is the dry season, when over 100 elephants gather on the banks of Minneriya tank, and you might spot as many as 400. Evening hours are when they're most active in the park.

Which national park will I visit on my safari?

The driver chooses between Minneriya, Kaudulla, or Hurulu Eco based on where the elephants have been spotted in the previous days. All three parks are part of the elephant migration route as they search for food and water.

What time does the safari start and end?

Pickup from your hotel is at 2 p.m., the game drive begins at 2:30 p.m., and the safari finishes between 5:30 and 6 p.m., with drop-off by 6:30 p.m.

What's included in the safari besides the jeep and driver?

Bottled water, soft drinks, and a small snack are provided during the drive. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you're staying in Habarana, Sigiriya, Dambulla, or Kandalama.

Can I book this safari from different hotels?

Yes. You can choose your pickup location when you book: Evening Safari from Sigiriya, Habarana, Dambulla, or Kandalama. The driver will collect you from your hotel or the location you specify.