Minneriya Forest Reserve

Another natural wonderland a traveler can witness in Sri Lanka is Minneriya Forest ereserve. It spans nearly 8889 acres. This is the 11^th largest forest exists in the island of Ceylon. 

This was opened to public in 1998. Situated in North Central province - Polonnaruwa District, it is at the height of around 500 meters above the sea level. Forest comprises of dense jungles and mountain points. This is very famous for being a wet land at the dry zone in Sri Lanka. Annual rainfall is measured here at from 1500mm to 2000mm . Temperature spans from 20.6’c to 34.5’c which is very unique for a forest located in a dry zone climate. Soil is special too because it consists of brown mud clay which also exists in wet zones while this is located at a dry zone.

Visitors can reach this place on A11 Road to Polonnaruwa from Colombo , stop at 182 mile post, there you can find the entrance counter to the forest reserve. Elephants take the foremost place for the mammal creatures in here. According to Statistics , from 175 to 200 elephants roam this jungle. But at the driest seasons of this area , in around April, around 300 elephants can be witnessed near the Minneriya Water Reservoir. Because Elephants from other areas come to this place to find water at dry season.

They could also be blocking the main road as well at that time. Unique botanical plant systems also can be seen here which are difficult to find in other areas of this dry zone. There are 23 more other mammal species live in this forest. Deers , Buffaloes , bears and rare wild cats can be seen here. Also in the high tree tops , there are monkeys which breed is unique to the Island as well. Cobras and Other snakes are also very common. Another special member in here is the Sri Lankan Alligator. Visitors must be very careful of not to get down from the vehicle you are traveling. You should also not feed any wild animals as well.