The Gal Oya National Park is located some 314 km from Colombo and was founded in 1954. He is the main catchment area for the largest artificial lake in Sri Lanka – Senanayake Samudraya.
About 45% of the park is covered by evergreen forests and a further 33% savannah.
An important feature of the Gal Oya National Park are the elephant herds that are there to see the whole year.
In addition, in Gal Oya National Park grow important herbs of Ayurveda Medicine, Triphala: Terminalia chebula, Terminalia Emblica officinalis bellirica and belonging to the remarkable flora of the forest.
From 1954 to 1965, the Park of the Gal Oya Development Board was administered until the Department of Wildlife Conservation took over the administration.
Founded in 1954, the reserve account for four reserves: Gal Oya National Park, Senanayake Samudraya Sanctuary, Gal Oya valley northeast Sanctuary and Gal Oya valley southeast Sanctuary.
Speak of the Gal Oya National Park, a safari is inevitable. The boat safari is rewarding and interesting through the many small islands. Elephants swimming from island to island, always in search of green pastures.
Aside from elephants wait for the bird lover many surprises. The “Kurulu Dupatha” or “Bird Iceland” are crowded with birds. In “Bird Iceland” you can walk on foot through the forest to the ledge.
One should not forget the jeep safaris.
