The Largest Wild Elephant Gathering in Asia

If you visit Sri Lanka between July and October, you have the rare chance to witness something truly extraordinary hundreds of wild elephants gathering in one place.

For wildlife lovers, photographers, and safari enthusiasts, this is a once in a lifetime experience you cannot see anywhere else on Earth. During the dry season, the water level of the ancient Minneriya Tank slowly recedes. As fresh grass grows on the exposed lake bed, elephants from the surrounding forests travel long distances to feed here.

Small family groups become large herds. Large herds become massive gatherings. At the peak time, you can see 150 to 300 elephants together in one open grassland including baby elephants, playful juveniles, protective mothers and majestic tuskers. The open landscape of Minneriya makes it easy to observe and photograph elephants without thick jungle blocking the view.