The Elephant Gathering in Minneriya is a spectacle of nature. Elephants gather in groups called ‘female herds’ and over twenty herds gather to the banks of Minneriya Tank. More than three hundred wild pachyderms from Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks gather around this man-made reservoir to feed on the fresh grass, drink and bathe from the cool waters, socialize with each other making this an iconic experience for any onlooker. The interactions between the calves, males and individual elephants are nothing short of interesting. They gently wade into the water, splash the young ones, play and roam freely; a large family affair; a once in a lifetime opportunity for onlookers.

Alongside these gentle giants are other animals of the National Park adding colour and vivacity of the event. An occasional spotted deer, a few jackals and a plethora of wetland birds such as Pelicans, Painted Storks and Black Headed Ibis can be seen amidst the crowds of playful elephants. The Gathering is an undisturbed and unforced sequence of events creating an exquisite illustration of nature at its finest and purest state.

Vimukthi Weerathunge is a Wildlife Biologist and a part of the Cinnamon Nature Trails team who has been a keen observer of this curious phenomenon. He calls this event of nature as harmonious as violence among the hundreds of elephants is non-existent. He points out how the Gathering shows the world the soft and gentle nature of the rough-skinned mammals often misguided to be aggressive. As per his experience, this phenomenon sheds better light on the persistent elephant-human conflict in Sri Lanka.

Vimukthi speaks on behalf of the giants. He states that witnessing the Gathering is peaceful, as the creatures participating in it unless their territory is violated or they detect a threat to their safety. “In order of evolution, these giants have been walking earth millions of years before us, making humans intrusive visitors in their home. Respecting their space and the laws of nature becomes our responsibility as species with advanced minds and the Minneriya Elephant Gathering is a reminder of it.” He adds on.

Vimukthi further speaks on the significance of this event. The land of the reservoir witnesses the largest gathering of Asian elephants in the world, ranking it the 6th animal spectacle on earth by Lonely Planet. He explains that every year from mid-June to mid-October the Minneriya and Kaudulla National Park becomes the location of a world-renowned wild-life miracle. Cinnamon Lodge Habarana ideally located in the close vicinity of the parks is a luxury resort built in harmony with nature, for those who find solace in epic greenery and wonders such as the Gathering. Safari rides to the National Park to witness the epic event are phenomenal, as it is curated in a manner where the best times and locations that offers the finest vantage point to witness this. Vimukthi and his team believes in co-existence with nature, so all activities here are scientifically designed with respect to preserve the homes of the animals, especially, elephants.

When nature collides with the epitome of hospitality and warmth, it is the holiday of a lifetime. If your next getaway is in search of serenity and peace only nature can offer, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana awaits your visit. Witness one of the greatest performances of nature while indulging in the luxury of Cinnamon Resorts. Learn the stories of nature, and let them offer you solace you are in search for. Indulge in the luxury of unsubdued nature. After all, that’s what the best holidays are made of, isn’t it?

I will be brief. It is 2AM and only 4 hours away of our wake up call. And, just in case you haven’t been here before, I am NOT a morning person so it won’t be easy to wake up. At all.

Anyway, here is my particular chronicle of these two first days at TBCAsia – the first Travel Bloggers Conference in Asia! – which is being held in Sri Lanka at the moment. Lucky me, I got to come 2 weeks in advance and explore a bit of the West and South coasts as well as the central part of the island on my own. But finally yesterday that changed, and since then, I am moving around with other 50 international travel bloggers. FUN!

Based in Habarana, we have been exploring the area for the last day and a half. Have a look at my highlights of the North Central Province.

Witnessing ‘The Gathering’ at Kaudulla National Park, where wild elephants socialize daily metres away from your safari jeep.

Going all the way to the top of Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Well worth climbing more than one thousand steps!

Enjoying sunset at Polonnaruwa, the royal ancient city of Polonnaru District, among picture perfect landscapes and Unesco’s World Heritage monuments. 

Enjoying sunset at Polonnaruwa, the royal ancient city of Polonnaru District, among picture perfect landscapes and Unesco’s World Heritage monuments. 

They’ve almost completely surrounded us now. There are four behind us, five to the left and one 12 foot tall mammoth to the right. Foot by foot they converge on our jeep. Their deep growls reverberate into my chest. Their prehistoric trumpets pierce my ears. They stare at us with unwavering blood red eyes. In them I see myself. I see panic. I see an animal ready to take flight for its life.

Suddenly the engine roars. But as the jeep thrusts forward, the heard begins to charge.

The driver instantly slams on the break and we glide to a muddy stop. The heard pauses, their eyes determined, their stance aggressive.

I can sense the drivers fear now. He yells towards the big one, half demanding and half pleading for it to stop it’s advance.

But the standoff continues. Seconds seem like minutes. I consider my possibilities. I could run towards the lake. I might not make it but it might buy some time for my fellow travel bloggers to escape.

I can’t take it anymore.

Yala, yala, drive! I scream like an angry Egyptian cab driver, looking ahead towards our only escape.
The driver hits the gas. For precious seconds the tires spin helplessly in the mud. Suddenly the jeep catapults us forwards.  And then by some divine hand, the elephants are held back. The jeep races to safety. We escape, but our racing hearts are still trapped within the elephants crosshairs.

I’ve felt threatened by animals before, by alligators in Australia and crazy monkeys in India. But I’ve never experienced the kind of primitive fear that a heard of angry wild elephants can invoke. It was terrifying yet awe inspiring, and it provoked a renewed respect for the natural world and these incredible mammals. I have never felt more alive and more grateful to be alive. If you’re looking to roam among wild elephants, Sri Lanka’s Kaudulla National Park is where it’s at.

This awesome elephant encounter is thanks to Travel Blog Conference Asia 2014. It’s a 5 day conference/tour with 50 other travel bloggers hosted by the PTBA, Sri Lankan Airlines, Cinnamon Hotels & Sri Lanka’s only domestic airline, Cinnamon Air. It’s the first time I’ve ever taken a tour or traveled with a group and I love it more than my beloved sugar cane juice.

Lefi Harum – TheRunawayGuide

Leif Harum was hosted by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and SriLankan Airlines in partnership with the Professional Travel Bloggers Association for TBCasia – Asia’s First Ever Travel Bloggers Conference 2014 in Sri Lanka.