Gal Oya National Park

Gal Oya National Park Safari Trips & Tours

Gal Oya National Park

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Gal Oya National Park Safari Trips & Tours

Savour the sounds of silence and enjoy an uncrowded and unhurried safari in Sri Lanka’s least-visited park.
There’s a muttering on the Sri Lankan safari circuit and it’s in the name of Gal Oya National Park. Established in the 1950s to protect the area around the stunning Senanayake Samudraya Reservoir, it’s well off the tourist-trodden trail and the quietest of all the parks by a safari mile. And it’s this reservoir that makes the park truly special. Dotted with a menagerie of small islands, each rich in animal and plant life, the best way to travel is by boat and as you cruise, cup of Ceylon in hand, keep your eyes peeled for the elephant herds that swim between the landforms. Also on the cards is a chance to spend time with the Veddha tribe, Sri Lanka’s original hunter-gatherers. There are only around 100 of them left and to walk the plains, seeking out medicinal plants and learning about their traditional way of life, is fascinating.
Trips

Gal Oya National Park Safari Trips & Tours

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Off the beaten track in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

Off the beaten track in Sri Lanka

15 nights from $7.4K per person

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Things to do

What to do in Gal Oya National Park

Centred around a large lake, Gal Oya is Sri Lanka's least visited national park, but that only makes it more inviting. Spend your time on the water, gliding between tiny islands filled with curious flora and fauna, and watching the constant flutter of birdlife and herds of elephant swimming from bank to bank. Gal Oya is the home of the Veddha tribe, Sri Lanka's original hunter-gatherers. You'll have the honour of joining the village chief on a walk through the forest, learning about their history, traditions and skills. You can also help out with conservation efforts, go on night hikes in search of pangolin and, for the ultimate view from the top, make the climb up Monkey Mountain.

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Wildlife

Go birdwatching in Gal Oya National Park

Wildlife

Take a day wildlife safari to Kumana National Park

Wildlife

Spot wildlife on a night walk in Gal Oya NP

Why you'll love it

Why you'll love it

Hordes of wildlife there is not, but an enticing mix of wildlife, wilderness, superb boat safaris and bathing ellies more than make up for the lack of numbers.
Off the beaten track

Off the beaten track

Drag yourself out of bed at dawn for the most spectacular sunrise over the water, accompanied by a flock of egrets, kingfishers and preening peacocks. Magical, even if you don’t know your thrushes from your sparrows!
Something to think about

Something to think about

There’s only one lodge, buried deep in the jungle with not even a sign to announce its existence – but that’s just all part of the appeal.
Best time to visit

When to go on a Gal Oya National Park Trip

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