Tag: Hotel Sudu Araliya

Where Kings Once Ruled: Wildlife of Sri Lanka’s Ancient City of Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s medieval capital, is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also a living sanctuary for incredible wildlife. Amidst ancient palaces, monasteries, and stone carvings, nature thrives in harmony with history, offering visitors a rare chance to witness the wild side of a royal past.

Monkey Kingdom: Mischief Among the Ruins

Grey langurs and toque macaques roam freely here, often leaping across weathered columns and temple walls. Their playful antics bring a lively charm to the centuries-old stone structures, making them an unmissable part of the Polonnaruwa experience.

The Gentle Giants: Elephants 

Wild elephants can sometimes be seen grazing near the edges of the city’s lush surroundings. These majestic creatures, symbols of strength and tradition, add a sense of grandeur that echoes the city’s regal history.

Where Comfort Meets the Wild: Rest in Style

Exploring the city’s heritage and wildlife can be tiring, so choosing the right place to stay is key. From lakeside retreats to luxury escapes like Hotel Sudu Araliya, visitors can unwind while still being close to nature’s treasures.

Image via Hotel Sudu Araliya

Gateway to Exploration: Stay Close to the Action

Booking one of the many Polonnaruwa hotels keeps you near both ancient marvels and thriving wildlife. It’s the ideal base for travellers wanting to immerse themselves in the city’s blend of culture and natural beauty.

Avian Paradise: A Symphony in the Skies

From colourful kingfishers to graceful egrets, Polonnaruwa’s waterways and paddy fields attract an impressive variety of birds. Birdwatchers will find the area’s serene landscapes a perfect spot to admire these winged wonders.

A Guide to Minneriya National Park – Thrilling Wildlife Encounters

Providing some amazing wildlife sightings including wild elephants, the Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka is not to be missed; here’s a quick look at what to expect.

Planning Your Visit

This national park is in the island’s north-central region, within easy reach of Polonnaruwa; properties here including Hotel Sudu Araliya provide ideal accommodation options and will help organise excursions to Minneriya as well as places to visit in Polonnaruwa. The dry season from April to October is generally the best time to visit the park.

The Elephant Gathering

The key attraction at Minneriya National Park is undoubtedly what is known as the ‘Gathering’. From July to October each year, as many as 300 elephants gather around the park’s reservoir to bathe, feed and play. It offers an unforgettable elephant safari and the chance to see these gentle giants and their young up close.

Other Wildlife Species

On your safari, you will have the chance to spot many of the park’s other animal residents too. Keep watch to see toque macaques or purple-faced langurs swinging in the trees, mugger crocodiles soaking up the sun and cautious spotted deer in the jungle. If you are lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the elusive leopard.

Image by Sanjeeva Pieris from Pixabay

Diverse Birdlife

Minneriya National Park is also ideal for birdwatching and more than 170 avifauna species have been recorded here. This includes endemic birds such as the Sri Lanka grey hornbill and Sri Lankan junglefowl. Due to the park’s reservoir, you will also see water birds such as painted storks, little cormorants and herons.