Situated at the centre of the Cultural Triangle, Minneriya is a good alternative to the busier parks in the south and it's easy to weave in a day here between visiting the ancient cities.

The dry season, from June to September, is the best time to visit the 8,890 hectare park when the ancient tank that dominates the area dries out and the grasses and shoots push through. During this time it is possible to see herds of up to 150 Elephants feeding and washing, as well as Toque Macaques, Sambar Deer and Leopards. The hungry bird flocks include Cormorants and Painted Storks.

The core of this National park is in an uninhabited area of the country’s most diverse natural systems, with intermediate forests, bamboo stands, patanas and platoes. The tank within the park supports a variety of waterfowl while being of immense socio-economic value.

The vegetation of the park consists of tropical dry mixed evergreen forests, abandoned chena lands, grasslands and wetlands.