Minneriya: Minneriya National Park Private Safari in Anuradhapura

Are you looking for a private safari experience in the Minneriya National Park in Anuradhapura? The Minneriya National Park and surrounding areas offer picturesque landscapes and diverse animal life, making it a perfect destination for an afternoon of exploration.

Whether you are a beginner or a pro looking for an exciting natural adventure, this guide will give you all the information you need to create your own private safari tour in Anuradhapura. From where to go, what sights to see, and what to do, we cover it all here.

Where is Minneriya National Park?

The Minneriya National Park is located in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, about 170 km (105 miles) east of Colombo. The park was established in 1938 to protect the poor land (known as the ‘Minneriya Tank’) from destruction by the colonial government. This tank was once part of an ancient irrigation system that brought water from the nearby Amban Ganga River. It covers an area of eight hectares (19.7 acres) and is one of the most important wetland habitats in Sri Lanka.

What Animals can You See in the Park?

The Minneriya National Park is a haven for a variety of biodiversity, including elephants, sloth bears, monkeys, butterfulys, peacocks, mongoose, and a wide array of birdlife. Most notably, it is home to the largest elephant gathering in Sri Lanka during certain months before the monsoon season. This is especially true during late August and early September when more than 150 elephant herds roam around the park’s open valleys. This annual “Gathering of Elephants” is quite a sight to behold and is an incredible natural phenomenon.

What Else is There to Do?

The Minneriya National Park offers more than just its impressive animal life; it offers a variety of activities for its visitors. Bird-watchers will be in heaven here as the park hosts hundreds of different species of birds including oriental white eye, wild peacocks, red-faced malkoha, Indian cuckoo, grey partridge, and little green reisader.

If wildlife isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other activities you can take part in while visiting the park. The park is also home to many prehistoric remains such as stone pillars and Hindu temples. These sites offer some insight into Anuradhapura’s ancient history and are uniquely fascinating to explore.

In addition to its cultural history, the park has many lush forests and open valleys that lend themselves perfectly to outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and cycling. The terrain is especially popular among photographers due to its stunning scenery and colourful sunsets.

How Can I Book a Safari at Minneriya?

Booking a private safari at Minneriya National Park is simple and easy. One of the best ways to explore the park is to book a guided tour with experienced guides who are familiar with the area and its wildlife. There are many reputable tour operators offering fully customisable private safari packages that can be tailored to fit any budget.

A great option for safety, peace of mind and quality assurance is to book a Minneriya safari tour through GetYourGuide, one of today’s leading online tour operators. They have lots of high rated tours available that include accommodation inside the park, professional guides, meals and transportation. Their customer reviews speak for themselves with excellent ratings across the board.

At GetYourGuide they offer different safari packages at different budgets depending on how long you want your safari to be (from one day to multiple days). You can create your own customised experience by choosing your preferred type of transport (jeep versus elephant back) and your desired number of stops along the route for wildlife spotting.

No matter which tour you decide to book, all of their safaris come with experienced guides who will take care of all details from pick up at your hotel to drop off after the tour. Depending on your itinerary they can even do custom pick-ups if you don’t have a hotel near by.

The great thing about booking with GetYourGuide is that they offer low risk bookings with free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour starts. This makes it very convenient if you have a cancellation or change in plans for any reason – you can always switch to another tour or cancel without any cost penalty. Furthermore, their customer service team are available 24/7 to help with any enquiries or problems related to your experience prior or during your tour.

Conclusion

As you can see, Minneriya National Park offers an unforgettable experience for all types of travelers looking for an escape from everyday life. With its rich wildlife diversity and plethora of activities for exploration, this place is sure to provide you with an incredible adventure to remember for years to come.

If all this sounds like your kind of thing then why not book a private safari tour at Minneriya National Park today? Just visit GetYourGuide to select an ideal package that fits your needs and budget – you won’t be disappointed!