If you're staying around Habarana or Sigiriya, you'll hear three names: Minneriya, Kaudulla and Hurulu. They're all close together, and the same elephants actually walk between them during the year.
So the real question isn't "which park is best?". It's "which park is best this month?"
Minneriya: the famous one
Big open grass around a giant lake. From July to September this is where the Gathering happens, sometimes 100 to 300 elephants in one place. It's the most famous park, so it's also the busiest. Ticket: US$25 per adult.
Kaudulla: the next stop
Right next door, and very similar: open land, a big lake, lots of elephants. The herds usually move here from October to December, when Minneriya fills with rain. The jeep costs a little more because the gate is further from Habarana. Ticket: US$25 per adult.
Hurulu: the quiet, cheap one
A forest reserve just outside Habarana. More trees and bushes, smaller elephant families (usually 10 to 30), and far fewer jeeps. It's the best choice from about December to April. And the ticket is only US$10 per adult.
So which one?
- July to September: Minneriya.
- October to December: Kaudulla.
- December to April: Hurulu.
- Hate crowds? Hurulu, any time it's in season.
- On a tight budget? Hurulu has the cheapest tickets.
What about Gal Oya?
Gal Oya is a completely different trip. It's on the east side of the country, 3.5 to 4 hours from Habarana. It's wild and quiet, but it's not a quick add-on to a Minneriya trip.
Ready to go? Work out your price or book a jeep.