{"id":10788,"date":"2020-04-15T22:01:37","date_gmt":"2020-04-15T21:01:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/italiantripabroad.it\/Blog\/?p=10788"},"modified":"2024-07-08T05:16:59","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T04:16:59","slug":"elephant-safari-in-sri-lanka-minneriya-national-park-safari","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/italiantripabroad.it\/Blog\/elephant-safari-in-sri-lanka-minneriya-national-park-safari\/","title":{"rendered":"Elephant Safari in Sri Lanka | Come with us on a safari in Minneriya National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We were taken on a rusty jeep from our relaxing resort in the middle of the jungle, it was afternoon, hot and humid, a usual temperature for Sri Lanka<\/strong>. We didn\u2019t know yet, but this was one of the best adventures of our life. Never thought that an Elephant Safari in Sri Lanka would be so emotional for us. <\/strong>This is the right article to explore Minneriya National Park<\/em> onboard a jeep. This is the story of our Minneriya National Park Safari in the Jungle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Minneria<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What an incredible day in the wild, seeing hundreds of animals in their natural habitat. Minneriya is just one of the many wonderful National Parks in Sri Lanka. Most of the best parks are located close to Sigiriya.<\/strong> Going on a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park will drive you close to those giant animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to experience the best of this country, we highly recommend checking out for a safari in Minneriya National Park<\/em>. Please don\u2019t go to places who allow you to ride elephants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK SAFARI<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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OUR EXPERIENCE IN MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK TOUR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What was most appreciated by us in our visit to Minneriya National Park, is that local guides care more about animal freedom than business. Yes, it seems impossible, but is not easy.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting from staying in a parking lot with a dozen other jeeps ready to explore the immense and boundless prairie of Minneriya National Park. To don\u2019t bother the animals too much while bathing, eating, fighting or just lying on the grass, the local authorities allow a certain number of jeeps and tours inside the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We waited around 45 minutes to start our tour in Minneriya National Park.<\/em> Although the wait was not very welcome, we all understood that it was for the sake of animals. And that occasionally the tourists themselves are unruly.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK SAFARI RULES<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Sigiriya<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

While entering the parking area of the National Park of Minneriya, our guides were very concise about what was allowed and what not. All these rules were for the sake of animals which were roaming free into the park, and we were just visitors disturbing them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right Dressing | <\/strong>Wear clothes which cover you correctly, multilayer clothing is also a good idea. If you have wounds, cover it to avoid the risk of infection, by insects or dust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t scream and stay calm | <\/strong>Be calm and composed once arrived in the area. Don\u2019t make unnecessary noise. Over excitement might keep them away from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t get out of the jeep | <\/strong>It is very important that you should stick to your group. Don\u2019t try to get out of your jeep.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t carry unnecessary stuff | <\/strong>You don\u2019t need that many things in a safari. Carry with you the best focal lens and your camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do not forget these | <\/strong>Carry your sunglasses<\/strong>, sun hats <\/strong>& sunscreen <\/strong>to keep yourself safe from sunburns. Avoid sleepers, sandals etc which expose your feet to wild nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Camera | Jungle safari<\/strong> is a special occasion. Do not forget to carry a good camera so you can capture some good photographs of the flora and fauna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refrain from Littering | <\/strong>Please respect the animal habitat and refrain from littering your garbage while in the park. You can also be fined and kicked out of the tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHERE IS MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Minneriya is a National Park in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka<\/strong>, it is close to incredible areas of the Country. This immense park can be visible from the summit of Sigiriya or hiking up Pidurangala.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The distance from Colombo is huge, 182 Kilometres away<\/strong> which makes this experience hard to do in a day trip from Colombo, but not impossible. Instead, if you want to stay closer to the park we suggest to check out places like Habarana or Sigiriya, or a bit further Dambulla. Minneriya National Park is close to another amazing wild and protected area, Dambulla.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOW TO VISIT MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK FROM COLOMBO<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are travelling from Colombo, the main city of Sri Lanka, you need to point yourself toward Sigiriya or Dambulla. The drive will take approximately 4 hours, in the wild and dusty roads of Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can associate a wild Safari in Minneriya National Park with the visit to Sigiriya <\/strong>and Pidurangala<\/strong>. Read below our experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arriving in Sigiriya, the drive to Minneriya National Park will take about 30 minutes. You can reach the park also by tuk tuk. Instead, if you want to visit the nearest park in Kaudulla, it is about an hour away from Sigiriya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK JEEP SAFARI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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ELEPHANT SAFARI IN MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Elephant<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you want to see as many elephants as possible in one place, this is the right one you should go to. We were enraptured by the freedom of these giants, seeing them walking down the lake, drinking and playing with water, or just bathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have never been on an Elephant Safari and in Sri Lanka was our first time in the wild. The entrance of the jeep to the park is regulated, making it not extremely noisy for the animals. We saw Mama elephant feeding the baby, two giants fighting and playing and we had the pleasure also to find one on the side of the street while going back to our hotel.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What we loved at most of this park, was the way you naturally see animals. It is not all related to an Elephant Safari in Minneriya National Park<\/strong>, but most to an incredible contact with nature and the wild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can suddenly find curious baby elephants coming toward you, or see the whole herd of elephants start moving at the signal of the leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are seriously thinking of experiencing an Elephant Safari in Sri Lanka, you should consider an adventure on a jeep in Minneriya National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ELEPHANT SAFARI IN MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Those fees are for the entry to those National Parks in Sri Lanka, Ruhunu(Yala), Udawalawe, Horton Plains, Wilpattu and Minneriya National Parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(The fee is calculated in 15$ paid at the equivalent in the local currency, Sri Lanka Rupees)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DAY VISIT TO MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOREIGNERS |<\/strong> 15$ USD – 3000 LKR<\/em>
CHILDS | <\/strong>8$ USD – 1500 LKR<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OVERNIGHT VISIT<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOREIGNERS | <\/strong>30$ USD – 6000 LKR<\/em>
CHILDS | <\/strong>15$ – 3000 LKR<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TWO VISITS IN THE SAME DAY (Morning and Afternoon)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOREIGNERS | <\/strong>25$ USD – 4800 LKR<\/em>
CHILDS | <\/strong>12$ USD – 2300 LKR<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those are the most expensive National Park Entrance in Sri Lanka. Other sites have a cheaper entrance fee, but less chance to watch elephants in a Safari. The Entrance fee to other National Parks over than the above costs 10$ USD for Adult Foreigners and 5$ for children.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK SAFARI COST<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is maybe something you want to know at the most. A Minneriya National Park Jeep Safari can be costly. This is a pure attraction in Sri Lanka<\/strong>, and we beat everything that other places are ethical like those people. So everything came at a cost. A Private Jeep Safari in Minneriya National Park will cost about 20$<\/strong>, check it out<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is coming without the park entrance fee, which costs 3000LKR, which are 15$. There are tours that cover the entire costs of this experience, which will be not over 50$ all included with a pickup from your hotel<\/em>. <\/strong>Check this out!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

YOU SHOULD KNOW\u2026<\/strong>
ENTRANCE FEE | <\/strong>Minneriya National Park Price: 3000LKR – 15$
TOURS | <\/strong>All Included with pick up from the hotel – Minneriya National Park Jeep Safari<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OTHER TOUR OPTIONS TO MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You will be glad to know that you can still have the chance to experience a safari in Sri Lanka even if you are not close to any National Park. You can easily reach Minneriya National Park or Kaudulla National Park from other cities in Sri Lanka.<\/strong> Below are some of the tours you should consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHECK HERE ALL THE OPTIONS <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 DAY TOUR FROM COLOMBO TO WILDLIFE AND UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK SAFARI FROM NEGOMBO<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRIVATE ELEPHANT SAFARI IN SRI LANKA FROM COLOMBO<\/em><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SIGIRIYA ROCK AND ELEPHANT SAFARI IN MINNERIYA FROM KANDY<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ELEPHANT WATCHING SAFARI FROM HABARANA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minneriya National Park Safari Price<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can also organize your Minneriya Safari by yourself, just showing at the park entrance, parking your car or walking in, going to the counter. The prices might vary by your deal with the licensed guides and drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this is your case, you have to pay other fees than just the entrance to the park, that is around 15$ USD. You need to pay 8$ Service Charge, about 1,500 LKR. Then you can rent a vehicle with a driver for about 1500 to 2500 LKR, about 8$ to 13$ USD. This is then calculated to a 15% VAT and is per person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The total cost of a Minneriya National Park Safari will be about 40$ USD<\/em>. To avoid that we will suggest you check out for an Organized Jeep Safari Tour of Minneriya National Park.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n