Gal Oya National Park is an often unknown gem in the crown of Sri Lanka’s collection of parks and protected environments.
Gal Oya is the most untouched of all of Sri Lanka’s national parks and is the only one where you can take a boat safari. Take to the water to see elephants swimming, crocodiles basking and birdlife up close.
This website has been developed to help widen appreciation of Gal Oya National Park, educate and inform about the variety of wildlife that populates it, and help protect it for the future.
Flora and fauna
Gal Oya National Park boasts a diverse population of Sri Lankan wildlife - from herds of elephants and other rare mammals to a rich birdlife.
Exploring Gal Oya National Park
From boat safaris to guided birding hikes and mountain-top scrambles, a small number of lodges and independent guides offer unique and beautiful experiences within the park.
“Gal Oya National Park provides one of the richest and most delicate habitats for wildlife in Sri Lanka. It’s vital we tread lightly to understand and protect this beautiful and important environment.”
Vedda Tribes
The Veddas are widely considered the indigenous people of Sri Lanka.
Vedda communities live on the fringes of Gal Oya National Park and some lodges offer a chance to meet members of local tribes, giving a glimpse of a lifestyle little changed in hundreds of years.
