Gal Oya National Park
Gal Oya National Park, centered around Sri Lanka's largest reservoir, offers unique boat safaris and pristine wilderness.
Native Flora
The park features a mix of evergreen forest and savanna grasslands. Significant tree species include Terminalia arjuna (Kumbuk), Pterocarpus marsupium (Gammalu), and various medicinal plants. The shoreline vegetation includes rare endemic species adapted to fluctuating water levels.
Wildlife
The park is famous for its swimming elephants crossing between islands. Other notable species include the fishing cat, four species of deer, and the golden palm civet. The reservoir supports numerous fish species and attracts various aquatic birds including cormorants and darters.
Visitor Guide
Take boat safaris on the Senanayake Samudra reservoir to see swimming elephants. Visit the Dighavapi Stupa, explore the Nilgala section for rare medicinal plants, and interact with the indigenous Vedda community. The park offers scenic viewpoints of the reservoir and surrounding mountains.