A quiet lakeside village on an ancient reservoir just west of Polonnaruwa, the handiest base for safaris into Minneriya National Park and its famous elephant gathering.
Giritale is a small, relaxed village strung along the shore of the Giritale Tank, an ancient reservoir about 15 km west of Polonnaruwa town on the road toward Habarana. Ringed by dry-zone forest and lake-view hotels, it is the closest and most convenient base for wildlife safaris into nearby Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks, especially during 'The Gathering', when hundreds of wild elephants converge on the Minneriya reservoir. It offers a calmer, greener alternative to staying in Polonnaruwa town while keeping the ancient city within easy reach.
The Giritale Tank was built in the 7th century CE under King Aggabodhi II as part of the great dry-zone irrigation network that sustained the ancient kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. The village remained a quiet farming and fishing settlement until the growth of wildlife tourism around Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks turned it into a popular safari base.
A dry-zone national park around an ancient reservoir, famous for 'The Gathering', when hundreds of wild elephants converge on the drying lakebed.
Halal and Vegetarian-friendly options are tagged below. Kosher food is not commercially available here; observant travellers usually self-cater or contact a Chabad house.
Sri Lankan, Cafe · Mid
A relaxed lakeside restaurant near the Giritale Tank offering Sri Lankan rice and curry, fried rice, noodles and cold drinks with views over the water, handy before or after a Minneriya safari.
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