Janet's Journal

Staying in Habarana it was only about a 30 minute drive to Minneriya.  After an excellent lunch of rice and curry at the Gunners Club, with portions large enough to feed a regiment I was ready for an evening drive in the Kaudulla Reserve.

I have been on elephant safaris before, but the excitement and privilege of seeing these wonderful, majestic animals up close in the wild remains.  This year, with no tourists, the reserve was very quiet, only a few other vehicles disturbed the peace.

Between July – October, as the dry season takes hold in North Central Province, the largest gathering of Asian elephants in the world congregates around Minneriya National Park.  The lakes still have plenty of water and the sweet fresh grass left over after the spring monsoon is a welcome addition to the elephants’ diet.

Large and small family groups merge together into ever bigger herds all with one thought in mind to enjoy drinking, bathing, and playing in the cool water. 

 If nearly 300 elephants aren’t enough there was also the chance this year of seeing the newly born twins, a first for Minneriya, no such luck though.  

There were lots of tiny calves, but their mothers were very protective, always standing between the calf and the jeep.  If we got too close or outstayed our welcome, then big brother or sister was called over for extra security.

An abundance of birdlife especially the thousands of water birds and several pairs of eagles are an added bonus for any lovers of wildlife.

There are plenty of all-inclusive online safari experience companies.  I booked independently with Nishantha Perera, 077 260 7778, originally from Negombo he moved to Habarana over 20 years ago working in the wildlife reserves around the area. He was very knowledgeable and keen to make the 2-3 hours as memorable as possible, stopping to point out different birds on the way to the areas where the elephants were.