Gal Oya National Park

Gal Oya National Park boasts the expansive Senanayaka Samudra Reservoir, as its centrepiece. Situated to the east of the island it was established as a national park to protect the catchment area of the reservoir created by damming the Gal Oya River. Choose to go out by boat atop this brimming reservoir in the low light of the early morning or evening in the expectation of gliding past thirsty animals as they come to the sparkling shallows for a drink, and your wishes of an unforgettable adventure will surely be realised.

Measuring 25,900 ha, the dry areas of the park consist of evergreen forest, grassland and savannah dominated by the tall grass species illuk and mana. Since the hilly country to the east was one of the last strongholds of the Veddahs, certain areas also harbour unique wildly growing medicinal herbs and plants originally planted hundreds of years ago that your guide might identify for you as your jeep slowly passes by.

Though Gal Oya is poorly developed for visitors the rewards of going, especially out by boat are exceptional. You may come across frighteningly large Mugger (freshwater) crocodiles basking in the sunshine with their mouths open wide while evidence lies nearby of a fresh kill. Slumbering tortoises and slithering python may also be seen if you look carefully. Around the reservoir expect to see many water birds such as cormorants, pelicans, and raptors while throughout the park 150 bird species have been recorded including the painted partridge and the Sri Lanka spur fowl.