Ever come so close to an animal, that you felt its warm and intimidating vibe at the same time? Well, here’s your chance. Take a jeep safari to the Minneriya and Kaudulla National Park, and the echoes of trumpets will reach you before you find a herd of elephants crossing the dusty road, while carefully sheltering the calf of the family.
When elephants walk with the calves, they get overprotective and a little more aggressive. It’s quite endearing to watch them guard their babies so powerfully. If you’re lucky to catch a herd at its active best, you’ll spot each member extend its trunk towards another, almost like they’re doing a group handshake.

The presence of a water reservoir is the reason why Kaudulla is home to around 250 elephants. However, the annual gathering of approximately 300 elephants at the Minneriya National Park, every July, has been rated as the 6th greatest Animal Spectacle by Lonely Planet.