Lying within the Cultural Triangle between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, the Kaudulla National Park acts as an important corridor for the migration of elephant between the Minneriya National Park and the Wasgamuwa National Park. At its centre lies the ancient Kaudulla Tank, a man made irrigation reservoir built by King Mahasen and later renovated in the 1950s, which draws to its banks a large herd of elephants during the dry season between August and December. During this period, as many as 200 elephants gather here at dusk to take advantage of the ample water source and feeding. Although elephant numbers are not as great as the more popular gathering at Minneriya, Kaudulla National Park offers an excellent opportunity to observe these majestic beasts in the wild.

Written by Jonathan Roelofsz for Travel Lanka Compass