Luxury Gal Oya National
Park Tours made for you
Spot diverse wildlife
home to crocodiles, leopards, sloth bears and more
Embark on water safaris
catch a glimps of elephants swimming between islets
Experience rich culture
ancient Brahmi inscriptions and sacred shrines
Sri Lanka's forgotten national park
Gal Oya National Park is something of a hidden gem, one of Sri Lanka’s least visited national parks due to its remoteness and dearth of accommodation (aside from the wonderful Gal Oya Lodge), yet it is a place of beautiful landscapes home to vibrant wildlife.
In the southeast of Sri Lanka, centred around the vast Senanayake Samudra reservoir, the park is covered in evergreen forest and swathes of savannah, while the lake itself is peppered with islands which were once hilltops. It is one of best places in the country to see elephants, who can sometimes be spotted swimming between the islets on boat safaris, following the routes of their traditional migration 60 years after the waters rose.
Other animals in the park include Sri Lankan leopard, langur, toque macaque, sloth bear, wild boar, mugger crocodile, water buffalo and deer, as well as some 150 bird species which can be seen in flocks numbering in the thousands by the water.
There is also a rich cultural aspect to the region, with the ancient Brahmi inscriptions in Henebedde Cave and sacred shrine at Dighavapi, said to have been sanctified by the Buddha during his third visit to Sri Lanka, as well as being home to the indigenous Vedda people.
Highlights
Explore evergreen forests, savannahs and lakes without the crowds
Visit the ancient Brahmi inscriptions at Henebedde Cave and the sacred shrine at Dighavapi
Observe some 150 bird species which flock to the water in their thousands
Gal Oya is very much below the radar for most visitors to Sri Lanka. It’s a long drive to get there and there’s no Wi-Fi or phone signal, but it’s an excellent place to avoid the crowds and enjoy some of the country’s best wildlife spotting – take a boat safari to view the numerous elephant families which congregate around the country’s largest lake.
Keith Jarman
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Sri Lanka
Why book with Jacada?
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Trip inspiration
Where to go
Colombo
Hot and busy, recent years have seen Colombo gradually transform from a place visitors could not avoid to a fascinating destination well worth exploring.
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Cultural Triangle
Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa were the three great Sinhalese capitals, and together they form the area known as the Cultural Triangle.
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Galle
Galle is a stunningly atmospheric town at the southern edge of Sri Lanka with fascinating history evident at every turn through its eclectic assemblage of architecture.
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Kandy
A world of ancient kings, ornate temples, lush gardens and vibrant traditions – Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka and its cultural capital.
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Koggala Lake
A short way east along the coast from Galle Fort, Koggala is a small town fronted by one of the longest beaches in Sri Lanka and backed by a large lake.
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Tangalle
A meandering stretch of rugged cliffs and beautiful sandy bays on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, all protected by a vast enclosing reef, you’ll find a collection of the island’s best beaches and a small collection of blissful resorts west of Tangalle.
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Tea Country
Dotted across lush ranked fields, women quickly but meticulously harvest leaves by hand, baskets slung across their backs. Stretching across the island’s midsection, this is Sri Lanka’s tea country and quite possibly the origin of your favourite morning cuppa.
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Yala National Park
Occupying the south-eastern corner of the island, the vast Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s second largest national park and also its most popular.
Discover moreMeet your Indian Subcontinent team
When to visit
January to May is green season, with chance of afternoon and night time showers. The lake is at it’s fullest and it is an amazing time for birding as all the migratory species are in residence. June to December is the dry season which sees the lake subside over the year, exposing some of the lake floor where fresh grass grows and attracts large herds of elephant. This is the best time of year to do boat safaris.
January-May
Green season, best for birding
June - December
Boat safaris
June - December
Large herds of elephants
Plan your trip to Gal Oya National Park
Whatever you want from your adventure in Gal Oya National Park, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.
