Minneriya National Park Wildlife & Elephant Safari from Sigiriya

The driver was excellent and gave very good information. The tour organization could be improved. The pickup was delayed by half an hour and they didn't answer the call. They didn't mention beforehand that the entrance to the park should be in cash only, so wasting some time for going to the ATM on the way to the park.

Great safari to Hurulu eco park, we say several elephant families and even a small baby elephant. Everything was perfect.

The safari started at 12 pm and pick up was 15min earlier. Overall they really tried to be on time and make it as comfortable as possible. Our tour guide was very friendly and we learned many things from him about elephants etc. Also, he answered every question we had and always tried to get the best view for us without disturbing the elephants or other jeeps. What we also liked was that he kind of had his own route and we therefore saw some elephants completely alone. We’re very thankful for this experience!

Booked only an hour before but contact was prompt. We were recommended to go to the Hurulu Eco Park instead and we were able to bring our departure forward an hour, which suited us better. Our driver was prompt and vigilant around the park so able to show us many things we would have missed. Obviously what we all want to see is elephants and we saw plenty. Whilst I was feeling a little uneasy regarding jeeps encroaching on elephant habitat, it’s worth noting that these creatures are completely free to roam and so little of it is actually alongside the roadways. If they feel at all uneasy they can wander off. A good experience and so pleased we did it. Impressed with the driver and communication with this company.

It is the case that due to climate change, leading to an extension of the wet season and higher water levels, the elephants are not frequenting Minneriya. Because of this, we were advised to go to Hurulu Eco Park instead. Despite my suspicious mind, this was genuine and helpful advice. They were flexible on the changed pick up time to meet our needs and to avoid crowds. We saw about 20 to 25 elephants along with various monkeys, exotic birds, chameleons, etc including being up very close. The driver was very observant and helpful. I had read reviews concerned at the volume of jeeps crowding the elephants. There was a point when I was concerned but at the same tone, like everyone else, desperate to get up close. Our driver was skilled at manoeuvring in position. As somebody who respects wildlife, it does need to be controlled and monitored as it may interfere with their natural life, although the elephants did seem unconcerned and not agitated. The unavoidable issue with the natural failure of the elephants to migrate to Minneriya in numbers, is that there is NO GATHERING and we did not see them in water. Drill baby, drill! I can only praise our tour company and driver but have given it 4 due to the lack of the spectacle of the gathering and concerns about animal disturbance and trespassing on their world. We are as guilty as anybody BTW. Thanks for a good few hours!

We had such a lovely and memorable time on this safari. The tour company were communicative and helpful from the start of our booking, writing to make a suggestion for a better time of day to do our safari and arranging pickup for us outside of the pickup area (our Airbnb was half an hour away). Our guide, Nalin, was kind and informative. He showed us countless elephants, peacocks and other birds, as well and mongoose and a crocodile. We loved the peaceful and beautiful park and watching the animals eat, drink water and roam freely. This safari is very well priced and I highly recommend it to other travelers!

We had a great safari at Hurulu Eco Park today. The price is highly variable, so I was offered the tour for half the price after I cancelled Get your Guide. It goes even cheaper than 18€ per person incl. admission, but the driver was really great! Very respectful, always by far and at 3 Sports we were completely alone with the elephants. I would book again in the morning, 8am start is perfect.

We had a wonderful time on our tour, the company messaged us the night before as the elephants had moved to Hurulu park (which was also cheaper!). Our driver was safe but also tried to make sure we saw as many elephants as possible and was happy to take pictures for us. We were provided with water and were also taken to a viewpoint within the park Would recommend to book with these guys.

Shan Is an excelent guide with a good feel for the animals and nature. He picked us up in a comfortable jeep at the hotel and brought us back again. Great all-round service

Absolutely incredible experience, do not skip it whatever you do!! We had booked Minneriya but the company recommended we move to Dambula instead as the herds had migrated. I was in disbelief at how many elephants we saw!! I really went hoping to see a handful and we couldn’t believe our eyes at times as there were gatherings of 60+ visible. The park itself was also beautiful. Our driver was excellent and navigated some of the muddier terrain excellently and even helped another driver who had got stuck in the mud. He was also amazing at spotting wildlife in addition to the elephants, pointing out grey langurs, peacocks, foxes, turtles to name a few! Thank you so much for this experience!