Gal Oya National Park

The park was established in 1954 as the main catchment area of The Senanayake Samudra, the largest reservoir in Sri Lanka which was built damming the Galoya at Inginiyagala, as part of the Galoya Development Program.

The park is famed for its elephant population throughout the year. While taking a evening boat ride visitors can observe herds of elephants swimming across the reservoir from island to island to feed on the dense greenery of the islands. This magnificent spectacle is best observed between March and July each year. The boat ride will also allow visitors to observe flocks of birds nesting on “Bird’s Island”. A jeep ride can be done in the early mornings and evenings

32 species of mammals have been recorded in the park which includes Elephants, Leopard, Langur, and endemic Toque macaque, Sloth bear, Wild boar, Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Axis deer and Water Buffalo. Amongst the reptile species, visitors can witness the Mugger crocodile and Star tortoise with close to 150 species of bird species, both migratory and endemic. Amongst the endemic species are the lesser adjutant, Spot-billed pelican and Red-faced malkoha. Some of the water birds that frequent the tank include the Lesser whistling duck, the Indian cormorant, Orient darter and the Grey heron and a diversity of butterflies, amphibians and raptors.