Half Day Minneriya National Park Safari from Dambulla
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
This half-day Minneriya National Park safari will give you the opportunity to witness a large numbers of Sri Lankan elephants who are attracted to grass fields on the edges of the reservoir during the dry season. The Minneriya tank contributes to sustain a large herd. Elephants gathered here is numbering around 150-200. Some reports account the number of elephants to as high as 700. They migrate here from Wasgamuwa National Park and benefit from food and shelter of the park's forest. Tourists visit Minneriya largely because of elephants, especially in the dry season.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please be ready at the hotel lobby 15 minutes before the pick up time.
Please bring valid passports for entering to the national park.
Please come with a comfortable attire for a safari.
Please note that since elephants are shifting from one park to another, the safari will be conducted in the relevant park at the time of the tour. It will be Minneriya, Kawdulla or Hurulu Eco Park.
What To Expect
Minneriya
You will be picked up from Sigiriya by our jeep driver and taken to enjoy an adventurous half-day safari at Minneriya National Park. On arrival at the park, you will be able to enjoy a memorable 3 hours jeep safari with our team. Minneriya National Park is reported as the Largest known wild Asian Elephant Gathering at one place in the World. The national park's faunal species include 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies. This half-day Minneriya National Park safari mainly gives you the chance to spot 100 of wild elephants at once. After the safari, you will be taken back to your hotel in Dambulla.
Options
Pick up from Dambulla
Pick up and drop off will be provided from most closely located hotels in Dambulla. Pickup included
What‘s Included
All government taxes.
Refreshments and water bottles during the safari.
Cost of the safari jeep.
Hotel pick up and drop off to most closely located hotels in Dambulla.
Pick up and drop off will be provided by a safari jeep.
Entrance fees to Minneriya National Park US$ 25.00 per person (Approximately).
Gratuities.
Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
6 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Top notch elephant tour
Lawrence H,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We were very lucky to see so many elephants. Driver and guide were both very friendly and eager to seek out the animals safely and respectfully.
Srilanka friends chill out !
Getaway546167,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent pickup and transfers from hotel to hotel ! Unhurried journeys experienced driver ! Plenty of good conversations ! All locations / hotels meet committed standards! Staff everywhere polite and courtesies and good friendly service !
Explored Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage, wildlife safaris, scenic highlands and beaches.
P284ZTmohamedf,Jul 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I visited Sri Lanka for two weeks and absolutely loved it! The people were super friendly and the food was delicious. If you're into wildlife safaris, I highly recommend Minneriya it’s the perfect spot, especially for elephant lovers ❤️
Amazing safari with the wonderful Elephants
Molliehoho,Jan 9, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our hostel ”New Dambulla city hostel” arranged a safari jeep to pick us up at the hostel and drove us straight to the safari. The safari was great and we saw alot of amazing elephants which was a really nice experience!
Great experience & lovely people
Mathiasoberleitner,Dec 30, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hello, early in the morning we start the safari. We were picked up in front of our hostel. (The Dambulla City Hostel, a beautiful place where we had a good time). After that, the guide showed us beautiful places in the minneriya park. We also saw lots of elephants! That was really amazing to come them that close. :) The guide was very friendly & we also got a lunchbox at the beginning of the tour. It was a great experience & we say thank‘s to the guide and his friends. Mathias & Karina (from Austria)
Amazing safari
Dinesh P,Dec 30, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great safari in the morning. We able to see lots of elephants there.driver was very good and kindly person
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Operated by Overa Tours