Located in south-east 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 to elephants and birds, and an ideal location for a boat safari. Elephants are great swimmers and they go from an island to another island in search of greener pasture. During the safari, you may have a chance to spot them swimming!
Considered as a major eco tourism venue, the national park is rich in flora and fauna. About 45% of the park is covered by evergreen forest and a further 33% is taken up by savanna areas. The 25,900 hectare 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.
Gal Oya National Park allows the visitors to enjoy its beauty and wildlife by boat safari as well as by jeep. Boat safari affords the opportunity to land in an island within the reservoir called “Bird Island” swarming with birds. Approximately 150 out of Sri Lanka's 430 bird species have been observed in this region, and from December to April migratory birds swell their ranks.
