As the dry season reduces the Minneriya reservoir, hundreds of wild Asian elephants converge on the exposed lake bed and reservoir shores in a wildlife spectacle that is widely described as the largest single wild elephant congregation on earth. At its peak between July and October, herds can number several hundred animals in a single sighting – mothers with calves, young bulls and enormous mature males moving across the reservoir margin in afternoon golden hour light. Kaudulla National Park nearby is active year-round and connected to Minneriya by the elephant corridor between them.