Gal Oya National Park

Located in the southeast of Sri Lanka, Gal Oya National Park has about 32 species of mammals including common langur, endemic toque macaque, leopard, sloth bear, elephant, wild boar, water buffalo and 3 species of deer. The park serves as the main catchment area for Senanayake Samudraya, the largest reservoir in Sri Lanka. The various small islands make Gal Oya a haven for elephants and birds, and an ideal location for a boat safari. Elephants are great swimmers and they go from one island to another island in search of greener pasture. During the safari, you may have a chance to spot them swimming!

Climate and vegetation in Gal Oya

The elevation of the Park varies from 30m to about 900m. Rain is received during the North-East monsoon with an average annual rainfall of 1,700 millimetres.

The Gal Oya National Park can be visited throughout the year, but the period from March to July is recommended as this is when the elephants gather around the waterholes to drink and socialise.

Around 45% of Gal Oya National Park is forested, 33% is savannah, 9% grassland and 2% chena (forest disturbed by shifting agriculture). Around 10% of the park consists of water bodies. The forested areas are generally evergreen and of medium stature with a densely closed-canopy layer. The savannah, found mostly towards the west of the park, houses beautiful tree species and the dominant ground vegetation consists of tall grasses. The grassland zone occurs mostly around the water bodies and is entirely secondary vegetation.

Wildlife in Galoya

It’s home to 32 species of mammal including the langur, toque macaque, leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, water buffalo and deer. What’s more, it’s estimated that almost 150 different species of bird grace the skies above, calling its many islands home.

Safari at Galoya

1. Morning Safari (6.00 am-11.00 am)
2. Afternoon Safari (2.30 pm – 6.00 pm)
3. Full-day Safari (5.45 am -6.00 pm)

The safari would take place with an experienced safari driver in specially modified comfortable jeeps for a unique safari experience. The tour could be more customized for guests for their preferences (Family safari, honeymoon safari, photography safari etc.).

Tour in brief

You will Meet the safari Driver at the pickup location and drive to the National Park by the safari jeep. For the morning half-day tour, the starting time will be at 6 a.m. while the afternoon tour begins at 2.30 p.m.

After entering the national park, you will be able to spot several species of birds and other animals that have made their homes in this sanctuary. You will be taken through most of the Gal Oya National Park, covering the wetlands, grasslands, forest patches, etc. Safari drivers will make longer stops at certain watering holes for unique photography opportunities.

Finishing the safari, either around 11 a.m. or around 6 p.m. you will be dropped at the place you were picked up before.