Sri Lanka's Hidden Gem

Discover the untouched wilderness of Gal Oya National Park with Grand Ceylon Holidays, one of Sri Lanka's least visited yet most remarkable wildlife sanctuaries. Established in 1954 to protect the catchment area of the massive Senanayake Samudra reservoir (Sri Lanka's largest inland body of water), this pristine park spans over 25,900 hectares of stunning landscapes including dense forests, open savannahs, and the magnificent reservoir itself. Gal Oya offers a unique safari experience far from the tourist crowds, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in authentic wilderness.

Grand Ceylon Holidays offers exclusive boat safaris on the Senanayake Samudra reservoir, the only national park in Sri Lanka where you can observe wildlife from the water. This extraordinary experience provides the rare opportunity to witness herds of elephants swimming between the reservoir's islands—a truly magical sight as these majestic creatures navigate the waters with only their trunks visible above the surface. Beyond elephants, the park is home to leopards, sloth bears, water buffalo, deer, and over 150 bird species. Our expert guides also arrange jeep safaris through the park's diverse terrain and can organize visits to the indigenous Vedda community, one of Sri Lanka's oldest indigenous groups, who share their traditional knowledge of the forest. For a complete experience, we recommend staying at one of the park's eco-lodges, where you can fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle and wake up to spectacular views of the reservoir.

Key Highlights

• Sri Lanka's only national park offering boat safaris

• Rare opportunity to see swimming elephants crossing between islands

• Uncrowded wilderness experience away from tourist routes

• Cultural encounters with the indigenous Vedda community

• Diverse ecosystems from dense forests to open savannahs and wetlands