Overview in Negombo

Negombo, Sri Lanka · Animals, Outdoors, Beaches, Day Trips, Family Friendly · USD 60

Minneriya safari booking made easy: private 4x4 jeep with hotel pickup in Sigiriya, Habarana or Dambulla. Morning or afternoon safari, US$60 per jeep for 1–6. 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. See all safari tours in Sri Lanka → 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 Itinerary Your private 4x4 jeep and driver collect you from your hotel in Sigiriya, Habarana or Dambulla. We confirm the exact pickup time after booking. At the park gate you buy your Minneriya National Park entrance tickets (not included in the tour price). Your driver takes care of the formalities and the safari begins. Follow the forest tracks down to the open shore of the Minneriya tank, where elephant herds graze and bathe, often with young calves. Look out for spotted deer, water buffalo, storks, pelicans and fish eagles along the water. After the safari, stop at Sigiriya Rock or the Dambulla Cave Temple if you wish. There is no extra transport charge; entrance tickets are paid at each site. After the safari your jeep drops you back at your hotel. If you are travelling on, we can arrange onward transport to Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Kandy or Colombo. What’s included Included - Private 4x4 safari jeep for up to 6 people - Experienced safari jeep driver - Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sigiriya, Habarana or Dambulla - Optional stops at Sigiriya or Dambulla (no extra transport cost) - Fuel Not included - Minneriya National Park entrance tickets (paid at the gate on the day) - Sigiriya and Dambulla entrance tickets - Meals and drinks - Transfers from outside the Sigiriya, Habarana and Dambulla area (available on request) - Tips for your driver (optional) FAQs A private half-day Minneriya safari, in the morning or afternoon, costs US$60 per jeep for 1 to 6 people. That includes hotel pickup in Sigiriya, Habarana or Dambulla and the 4×4 jeep with driver. Minneriya National Park entrance tickets are extra and are paid at the gate on the day. Choose a morning or afternoon session, enter your date and hotel in the booking box and click Check Availability, or book through WhatsApp. We confirm your Minneriya safari booking and the exact pickup time, usually within a few hours. No. Entrance tickets are charged per person by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, plus a vehicle fee and taxes, and are paid at the gate on the day. We will tell you the current price when you book. The afternoon safari is usually best, as the herds walk out onto the shore of the tank later in the day. The morning safari is quieter and good for birds. Usually from about July to October, peaking in August and September, when the water level drops and fresh grass grows on the shore. No. At Minneriya we run morning and afternoon half-day safaris only, which is the best way to see the herds. We pick up from hotels in Sigiriya, Habarana and Dambulla. Pickup from further away, such as Polonnaruwa or Kandy, can be arranged for an extra charge. Up to 6 people. The price is for the whole jeep, so a family or small group shares the same US$60. Yes. You can add a stop at Sigiriya Rock or the Dambulla Cave Temple at no extra transport cost. Entrance tickets are paid at each site.