{"product_id":"minneriya-national-park-safari","title":"Minneriya National Park Private Safari – Witness the Gathering of Giants","description":"\u003csection\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"quick-scan\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🐘 \u003cstrong\u003eElephant Gathering\u003c\/strong\u003e – Witness one of Asia’s greatest wildlife spectacles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌿 \u003cstrong\u003e3-Hour Safari\u003c\/strong\u003e – Perfect for travelers with limited time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌅 \u003cstrong\u003eEvening Safari Recommended\u003c\/strong\u003e – Golden light and peak elephant activity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🚙 \u003cstrong\u003ePrivate Jeep Experience\u003c\/strong\u003e – Comfort, flexibility, and personal pace.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🐦 \u003cstrong\u003eBirdwatcher’s Paradise\u003c\/strong\u003e – Seasonal flocks of migratory and resident birds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n.quick-scan {\n  list-style: none; \/* Remove default bullets *\/\n  padding: 0;\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c!-- Includes --\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat’s Included\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"includes\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrivate safari jeep with experienced driver\/tracker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePark entrance tickets included when \"Jeep with Tickets\" is selected\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eServices of an experienced Naturalist when \"with Naturalist\" option is selected\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree Pickup\/Drop-off from any location within 5 km of park gate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBottled water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll Taxes and Service Charges\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- Excludes --\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat’s Not Included\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"excludes\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePark entrance tickets when \"Jeep Only\" is selected\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup\/Drop-off outside a 5 km radius (available at extra cost)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMeals and beverages\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGratuities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonal expenses and souvenirs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n.includes {\n  list-style: none; \/* Remove default bullets *\/\n  padding: 0;\n}\n\n.includes li::before {\n  content: \"✔\";\n  color: green; \/* Change color if needed *\/\n  font-weight: bold;\n  display: inline-block;\n  width: 1.2em; \/* Spacing between check mark and text *\/\n}\n\n.excludes {\n  list-style: none; \/* Remove default bullets *\/\n  padding: 0;\n}\n\n.excludes li::before {\n  content: \"✘\";\n  color: red; \/* Change color if needed *\/\n  font-weight: bold;\n  display: inline-block;\n  width: 1.2em; \/* Spacing between check mark and text *\/\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003c!-- Logistics \u0026 Meeting Point --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLogistics \u0026amp; Meeting Point\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e📍 \u003cstrong\u003ePick-up \/ Meeting Point:\u003c\/strong\u003e Park Entrance of Minneriya National Park.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnless you've requested hotel pickup, Hotels in Habarana area (within 5 km of park gate), \u003cstrong\u003eyour driver will meet you directly at the main entrance gate to Minneriya National Park\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHotel pick-ups outside these zones (Hotels in Sigiriya, Dambulla area.) can be arranged at an additional cost upon request.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeeting Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMorning Safari\u003c\/strong\u003e – 6:00 AM \u003cem\u003e(Peaceful, cooler conditions)\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEvening Safari\u003c\/strong\u003e – 2:30 PM \u003cem\u003e(Highly recommended for the Gathering and golden light)\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDuration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 3 hours\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWe recommend\u003c\/strong\u003e arriving 15 minutes before your chosen safari start time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eExact meeting point pin and guide contact details will be shared upon booking confirmation.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePro Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e If visiting between June and September, the evening safari is your best chance to witness the Gathering in all its glory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- Why Choose This Safari --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Choose This Safari\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Gathering\u003c\/strong\u003e – See up to hundreds of wild elephants in one location (seasonal).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExclusive Private Jeep\u003c\/strong\u003e – No shared seating, tailored pace.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShort \u0026amp; Impactful\u003c\/strong\u003e – A 3-hour adventure perfect for busy itineraries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRich Birdlife\u003c\/strong\u003e – Storks, pelicans, kingfishers, and more.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Triangle Location\u003c\/strong\u003e – Easy access from Sigiriya, Habarana, and Dambulla.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- Introduction --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle lies \u003cstrong\u003eMinneriya National Park\u003c\/strong\u003e, famed for the \u003cstrong\u003eGathering\u003c\/strong\u003e — the seasonal congregation of hundreds of wild elephants around the park’s ancient reservoir. This breathtaking natural phenomenon, unique to Minneriya, offers unparalleled opportunities to observe these gentle giants up close, alongside rich birdlife and other wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- Destination Context --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDestination Context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCovering \u003cstrong\u003e8,890 hectares\u003c\/strong\u003e, Minneriya’s centerpiece is the historic \u003cstrong\u003eMinneriya Tank\u003c\/strong\u003e, built in the 3rd century AD by King Mahasena. The surrounding grasslands, scrub forests, and wetlands provide a thriving habitat for elephants, sambar deer, macaques, and an impressive variety of bird species. From June to September, water levels drop, drawing elephants from surrounding parks — creating \u003cstrong\u003ethe largest Asian elephant gathering in the world\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- The Experience --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Experience\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour safari is a \u003cstrong\u003eprivate 3-hour journey\u003c\/strong\u003e into the park’s most active wildlife zones. The recommended \u003cstrong\u003eevening safari\u003c\/strong\u003e offers the best chance to witness the Gathering as herds converge at the reservoir’s edge, often against a dramatic sunset backdrop. Guided by an experienced driver-tracker, you’ll navigate grasslands, forest edges, and wetland areas, with ample time for observation and photography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c!-- What to Bring --\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to Bring\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight, comfortable clothing in neutral tones\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHat, sunscreen, and sunglasses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBinoculars and camera with zoom lens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight rain jacket (especially during monsoon months)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSeasonal Elephant Migration\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring Sri Lanka’s dry season (July to October), herds of wild elephants often migrate between \u003cstrong\u003eMinneriya National Park, Kaudulla National Park, and Hurulu Eco Park\u003c\/strong\u003e in search of food and water. If you’ve booked an \u003cstrong\u003eevening safari\u003c\/strong\u003e during this time, our experienced team will recommend the park with the \u003cstrong\u003ehighest chance of elephant sightings\u003c\/strong\u003e on the day of your tour. This ensures you enjoy the best possible experience. If you prefer to keep your safari at Minneriya as originally planned, we will gladly accommodate your choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Elephant Gathering\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eElephant Gathering\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in Asia and a highlight of Minneriya National Park. Every year during the dry season, as the waters of Minneriya’s ancient reservoir recede, lush grasslands emerge — attracting herds of over \u003cstrong\u003e300 wild elephants\u003c\/strong\u003e into one area. This awe-inspiring event offers unmatched opportunities for photography and close encounters, making it a \u003cstrong\u003ebucket-list experience\u003c\/strong\u003e for wildlife enthusiasts worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- Additional Info --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNeed to Know\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e👥 Maximum 6 guests per jeep\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🗓️ Flexible rebooking up to 48 hours prior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e📞 Contact support for custom group sizes, photographers, or special requests\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn Minneriya, nature gathers on a grand scale — and you can be there to see it unfold. Book your \u003cstrong\u003eprivate Minneriya safari\u003c\/strong\u003e today and witness one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in Asia.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"3-Hour Morning Safari (06:00 am to 09:00am) \/ Jeep Only \/ 01 Person","offer_id":51262903124199,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3-Hour Morning Safari (06:00 am to 09:00am) \/ Jeep Only \/ 02 Persons","offer_id":51262903156967,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3-Hour Morning Safari (06:00 am to 09:00am) \/ Jeep Only \/ 03 Persons","offer_id":51262903189735,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3-Hour Morning Safari (06:00 am to 09:00am) \/ Jeep Only \/ 04 Persons","offer_id":51262903222503,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3-Hour Morning Safari (06:00 am to 09:00am) \/ Jeep Only \/ 05 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