Minneriya National Park

This is the place for the Gathering. As the dry season shrinks the ancient Minneriya tank, built in the third century, fresh grass spreads across its exposed bed and herds walk in from the surrounding forest to graze, bathe and socialize, sometimes more than 300 elephants at once. The peak runs roughly from June to October and breaks up when the northeast monsoon arrives. The flip side of fame is traffic. In peak season more than 500 safari vehicles can enter on an average day, most of them between 1 and 4 p.m. Go in at a quieter hour if you can, and choose a driver who holds back from the pack rather than racing for the closest spot.