The Gal Oya National park is located 50km away from the hotel within a 90min drive. The drive-in itself to the park is scenic with lush greenery including a drive passed the village where the Sri Lankan indigenous tribe lives.
Gal Oya National Park
The park was established in 1954 as the main catchment area of The Senanayake Samudra, the largest reservoir in Sri Lanka which was built damming the Galoya at Inginiyagala, as part of the Galoya Development Program. The park is scenically located by the reservoir at the Inginiyagala entrance allowing visitors to enjoy a boat ride across the scenic reservoir; certainly, a good way to take a peek at the park and its numerous islands.
The park is famed for its elephant population throughout the year. While taking a boat ride visitors can observe herds of elephants swimming across the reservoir from island to island to feed on the dense greenery of the islands. This magnificent spectacle is best observed between March and July each year. The boat ride will also allow visitors to observe flocks of birds nesting on “Bird’s Island”.
The vegetation in the park consists mainly of shrub, grasslands and forest which is known to be rich in valuable medicinal herbs used in Ayurveda (A form of native medicine). 32 species of mammals have been recorded in the park which includes Elephants, Leopard, Langur, and endemic Toque macaque, Sloth bear, Wild boar, Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Axis deer and Water Buffalo. Amongst the reptile species, visitors can witness the Mugger crocodile and Star tortoise with close to 150 species of bird species, both migratory and endemic. Amongst the endemic species are the lesser adjutant, Spot-billed pelican and Red-faced malkoha. Some of the water birds that frequent the tank include the Lesser whistling duck, the Indian cormorant, Orient darter and the Grey heron and a diversity of butterflies, amphibians and raptors.
Gal Oya national park can be accessed by boat or safari jeep.
Jeep safari – 100 USD
Boat safari – 130 USD
Highlights
☑ The scenic drive to the park from Mapakada Village
☑ Opportunity to observe herds of elephants’ swim (only on a boat safari)
☑ Medicinal herb garden
☑ Indigenous people
Duration – 6 hours
Recommended start time: Jeep safari morning or evening | Boat safari evening
Transport – Included in the package
Tips – wear shoes, take water, a camera is mandatory
Gal Oya National Park
The Gal Oya National park is located 50km away from the hotel within a 90min drive. The drive-in itself to the park is scenic with lush greenery including a drive passed the village where the Sri Lankan indigenous tribe lives.
The park was established in 1954 as the main catchment area of The Senanayake Samudra, the largest reservoir in Sri Lanka which was built damming the Galoya at Inginiyagala, as part of the Galoya Development Program. The park is scenically located by the reservoir at the Inginiyagala entrance allowing visitors to enjoy a boat ride across the scenic reservoir; certainly, a good way to take a peek at the park and its numerous islands.
The park is famed for its elephant population throughout the year. While taking a boat ride visitors can observe herds of elephants swimming across the reservoir from island to island to feed on the dense greenery of the islands. This magnificent spectacle is best observed between March and July each year. The boat ride will also allow visitors to observe flocks of birds nesting on “Bird’s Island”.
The vegetation in the park consists mainly of shrub, grasslands and forest which is known to be rich in valuable medicinal herbs used in Ayurveda (A form of native medicine). 32 species of mammals have been recorded in the park which includes Elephants, Leopard, Langur, and endemic Toque macaque, Sloth bear, Wild boar, Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Axis deer and Water Buffalo. Amongst the reptile species, visitors can witness the Mugger crocodile and Star tortoise with close to 150 species of bird species, both migratory and endemic. Amongst the endemic species are the lesser adjutant, Spot-billed pelican and Red-faced malkoha. Some of the water birds that frequent the tank include the Lesser whistling duck, the Indian cormorant, Orient darter and the Grey heron and a diversity of butterflies, amphibians and raptors.
Gal Oya national park can be accessed by boat or safari jeep.
Jeep safari – 100 USD
Boat safari – 130 USD
Highlights
☑ The scenic drive to the park from Mapakada Village
☑ Opportunity to observe herds of elephants’ swim (only on a boat safari)
☑ Medicinal herb garden
☑ Indigenous people
Duration – 6 hours
Recommended start time: Jeep safari morning or evening | Boat safari evening
Transport – Included in the package
Tips – wear shoes, take water, a camera is mandatory
MEMORABLE VACATION AT
MAPAKADA VILLAGE
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