Overview
Our private Minneriya safari takes you to see the wild elephant herds of Minneriya National Park in your own 4×4 jeep, with pickup from your hotel in Sigiriya, Habarana or Dambulla. Just your group, up to six people, with an experienced safari driver who knows where the herds are feeding. Minneriya safari booking takes a couple of minutes online or on WhatsApp.
Choose a morning safari from about 6:00 to 11:30 am, or an afternoon safari from about 2:00 to 6:00 pm, when the herds walk out onto the shore of the tank. Each half-day Minneriya jeep safari costs US$60 per jeep for 1 to 6 people. Minneriya National Park entrance tickets are not included and are paid at the gate on the day.
Minneriya safari booking: how it works
- Choose your session – morning or afternoon safari.
- Pick your date and hotel – search for your hotel in the booking box, or type its name.
- Confirm your booking – click Check Availability, or book through WhatsApp if you prefer to chat.
- Get your pickup time – we confirm the exact pickup time and send your driver’s details before the safari.
You can pay on the day of the safari or in full in advance, and cancellation is free until 24 hours before pickup.
Free stops at Sigiriya and Dambulla
After your safari you can stop at Sigiriya Rock or the Dambulla Cave Temple at no extra transport cost. Tick the stops you want in the booking box; entrance tickets are paid at each site. Staying in Kandy? Book our Minneriya safari tours from Kandy.
What you can see on a Minneriya safari
Minneriya is famous for The Elephant Gathering, when hundreds of wild elephants come to graze on the fresh grass around the ancient Minneriya tank, usually from about July to October. Herds are seen through much of the year, along with spotted deer, water buffalo, monkeys, painted storks, pelicans and fish eagles. Read more about Minneriya National Park.
Minneriya or Kaudulla?
The elephants move between Minneriya and nearby Kaudulla National Park, following the water. We check recent sightings before your safari, and if Kaudulla is the better choice on the day, we will tell you before you go.
Coming from Colombo?
Book our Minneriya safari tours from Colombo, a day tour with private transport from Colombo or Negombo, an 8:00 am pickup and back at your hotel by about 7:30 pm.
More safaris in Sri Lanka
This is one of our private safari tours in Sri Lanka. If you are travelling on, these are easy to add to your trip, or see our Sri Lanka safari packages.
Highlights
- Easy Minneriya safari booking online or on WhatsApp
- Half-day Minneriya safari · US$60 per jeep for 1–6 people
- Private 4x4 safari jeep, just your group
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sigiriya, Habarana or Dambulla
- Morning or afternoon session
- Free optional stops at Sigiriya Rock or Dambulla Cave Temple
- Wild elephant herds and The Elephant Gathering (about July–October)
- Park entrance tickets paid at the gate on the day
