Situated approximately 314km away from the commercial capital of Colombo, the entire park stretches over 60,000 hectares of evergreen forests and savannah. Making it the ideal habitat for a horde of tropical and migrant species of bird and mammals the Gal Oya National Park is not only an exotic center for wildlife but also plays a key role as a drainage basin for Sri Lankas largest reservoir, the Senanayake Samudra. In 1950, the Gal Oya was dammed at the area of Inginiyagala under the implementation of the Gal Oya Development Project. The park which is now under the administration of the Department of Wildlife Conservation was initially under the administration of the Gal Oya Development.
Amidst the vibrant wildlife lies some of the countrys garnered secrets with some of the revered historical and religious monuments reflecting the thousands of years of recorded history and culture. The Buddhangala Sanctuary was designated in 1974 within the Gal Oya National Park, a monastery with the ruins of some ancient buildings along with a stupa in the locality of Malwattai area. The locale is also popular as a pilgrims destination, for the annual visit to the Dighavapi stupa, where it is believed that Buddha meditated during his third visit to Sri Lanka in the 2nd century BC. Another area in the vicinity, Danigala which was once home to a sect of the indigenous people of the country, is of historical importance, popular for the Brahmi inscriptions in the Henebedde caves.
Visitors can enjoy the thrill of jeep safaris through the savannah roadways, tracking the infamous herd of elephants of the park. Rain storms water the lengths of the park during the North eastern monsoons making March to July the ideal time to visit the national park, especially to watch the intriguing spectacle of the herd swim their way from one island to another. Boat safaris along the waters will take visitors on the reservoir and also to a stunning island, home to swarming flocks of migrant and native bird species.
The parks vegetation varies from evergreen forests to thorny shrub and grasslands with mountainous terrain and bodies of water making it the ideal topography for the growth of rare plants which are used as herbal medicines and other exotic species of flora and fauna that are spread across the acreage. The Gal Oya National Park is the asylum for some 32 species of worldly mammals, the common Langur, leopards, wild boar, sloth bears, water buffaloes, the endemic Toque Macaque and the most popular Sri Lankan elephant. Over 150 species of birds build their nests on the higher branches of the forests, their chatter and thrill vibrating across the jungle environ.
Although there isnt any accommodation available within the park, many circuit bungalows, rest-houses and tourist inns are available in Inginiyagala and Eekgal Aru, localities around the park office.
Transport from hotels in Colombo to the park or to hotels surrounding the parks is made available by
Sri Lanka car rental companies. Malkey Rent A Car, offers international and local visitors the ideal experience of
Sri Lanka travel with their amazing fleet of cars, from luxury to vintage vehicles and a collection of 4WD and general cars.
