This intensive safari experience will give you the chance to go on a game drive through the Minneriya National Park, famed for its elephant gatherings. In addition, your safari guide will help you catch sight of a number of flora and fauna native to Sri Lanka. Avid birdwatchers will love this safari as well. The Annual Elephant Gatherings. Every year during the dry season between May and September, water runs out in the surrounding areas. Hence all the elephants in the wilderness of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee make an annual pilgrimage to the Minneriya tank seeking the freshwater and tender green grass along the banks of the tank. As a result, huge gatherings of elephants anywhere between 150 - 700 members can be seen roaming in the national park. These gatherings are said to be the largest gatherings of wild elephants in the entire world.