Witnessing the Asian elephants gathering in Sri Lanka is a must-do for wildlife lovers.

Every year during the season many Asian elephants gather around old water tanks, in the Cultural Triangle.

This guide tells you everything you need to know to see this natural event in a responsible way with elephants being the main attraction.

You will learn how to watch the elephants without disturbing them.

The elephant gathering is an event.

Hundreds of elephants come together near ancient reservoirs.

It happens in Sri Lankas Cultural Triangle during the season.

For an unique safari experience Gal Oya National Park in the eastern region lets visitors see wild elephants in a completely new way. Unlike the jeep safaris on land Gal Oya is well known for its boat safaris on the huge Senanayake Samudra reservoir.

Here lucky travelers can see the sight of elephants swimming between the reservoirs small islands using their trunks like snorkels while they navigate the deep water.

This quiet approach with no engine noise does not disturb the animals so visitors can see them behaving naturally alongside birds that live in the water and the lush untouched jungles by the lake.

If you want to see wildlife and also care about the animals the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe is a place to go. The Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe is one of the rescue centers in Asia because it really cares about the animals. The Born Free Foundation helps the Elephant Transit Home and the people who work there make sure that the baby elephants do not get too used to people so they can go back to the wild when they are healthy. Visitors can stand on a platform at certain times to watch the baby elephants run to get their milk and this is a really nice thing to see

. The Elephant Transit Home is a way to learn about wildlife and help the Gal Oya National Park and the Elephant Transit Home with their conservation work and it is a lot more fun, than the usual wildlife tours.

 1. Minneriya & Kaudulla National Parks

These parks are near The Cultural Triangle.

* The best time to go is from July to October. This is the season.

* The best thing to see is “The Gathering.” This is when up to 300 elephants come together around the Minneriya tank. It is one of the wildlife sights in Asia.

And

* A good tip is to ask your driver which park has the most elephants on that day. The elephants move freely between Minneriya, Kaudulla and Hurulu Eco Park.

2. Udawalawe National Park

This park is in the Southern Region.

* You can see asian elephants all year round. This is because the park has a lake that is always full of water.

* The best thing to see is the open fields. These fields make it easy to see groups of elephants baby elephants and big male elephants.

 3. Yala National Park

This park is on the Southeastern Coast.

* The best time to go is from February to June.

* The best thing to see is the groups of elephants. They walk through the bushes and fields near the coast.

 Ethical Conservation Centers

If you want to see Asian elephants that have been hurt or are alone you should go to places that help them get better. You should not go to places that just want to entertain tourists.

* Elephant Transit Home is a place. It is in Udawalawe. This place helps baby elephants that’re alone or hurt. It takes care of them. Then lets them go back into the wild. You can watch the baby elephants being fed from a place.

* You should not go to Pinnawala. This place has been criticized by animal experts. They do not think it is a place for elephants.

Fascinating Facts About Sri Lankan Elephants

* Some male elephants have tusks.. Not many Sri Lankan elephants have tusks. This is because of something in their genes. Because people used to hurt them for their tusks.

* Elephants live in groups led by the female. The male elephants live alone. Only come to the group when it is time to have babies.

As well AS 

* If you look closely you can see light brown spots on the elephants ears, trunks and faces. These spots get bigger as the elephants get older.

 Safari Etiquette

You should be careful when you are on a safari. You should follow some rules to keep you and the elephants safe.

* Keep a distance from the elephants. If you get close it can stress them out.

* Be quiet when you are near the elephants. Ask your driver to turn off the engine when you stop near a group of elephants.

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* Do not ride elephants. It is not allowed in Sri Lanka except, for some ceremonies. You should not support places that offer elephant rides or make elephants do things they do not want to do.

What month are you planning to visit Sri Lanka? What cities or attractions do you want to see?