Places to Visit in Gal Oya National Park, Sri Lanka, Asia

Places to Visit in Gal Oya National Park, Sri Lanka, Asia

Gal Oya National Park is located at the coordinates 7°13′00″ N 81°22′00″ E, was established in the year 1954 and the nearest city to park is Ampara. Gal Oya National Park is the major catchment area for Sri Lanka’s biggest reservoir Senanayake Samudraya.

Gal Oya National Park houses a big group of Sri Lankan Elephants and significant ayurvedic plants like Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica and Emblica officinalis. Gal Oya National Park is administrated by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Between 1954 and 1965, it was under the maintenance of Gal Oya Development Board. The summits of the park include Danigala, Nilgala, and Ulpotha.

Geography of Gal Oya National Park:

Gal Oya National Park is spread over an area of 25,900 hectares and covers the areas of Uva and Eastern provinces. It is located about 195 kms away from Kandy City and about 338 kms from Colombo City, the capital of Sri Lanka.

Flora of Gal Oya National Park:

Gal Oya National Park is home to rare species of medicinal plants like Pterocarpus marsupium, Careya arborea, Cassia fistula and the park also houses Longan, Mangifera zeylanica, Diospyros, Mallotus repandus and Berrya cordifolia.

Fauna of Gal Oya National Park:

Gal Oya National Park houses around 32 terrestrial mammals and the famous animals found in the park are Sri Lankan Axis Deer, Muntjac, Water Buffalo, Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Sri Lanka Leopard, Toque Monkey, Wild Boar and Sri Lankan Elephant.

The park houses more than 150 species of birds and the most important birds in the park include Lesser Adjutant, Spot-billed Pelican and Red-faced Malkoha, Indian Cormorant, Oriental Darter, Grey Heron, Lesser Whistling Duck and White-bellied Sea Eagle.

Connectivity to Gal Oya National Park:

There are numerous buses and tourist vehicles plying near the Gal Oya National Park and one can board major cities buses at Ampara Town Bus Stand or Bibila Bus Stand.

The nearest railway stations accessible to Gal Oya National Park are Batticaloa Railway Station, Eravur Railway Station and Ella Railway Station.

Ampara Airport is the closest airport to park and is located about 8 kms away from Ampara town centre and another nearest airport is Batticaloa Airport.

Gal Oya National Park is also reachable through boat service. One can reach the park by boat by crossing the Senanayake Samudraya from Inginiyagala.

To eat, drink and buy at Gal Oya National Park:

There are few hotels and shops located near the park offer Sri Lankan traditional food, mineral water and variety of handicraft products. One can visit the hotels of Ampara Town located just few kms away from the park for better cuisine.

Other tourist attractions near Gal Oya National Park are:

Dighavapi Stupa
Henebedde Cave
Kumana National Park,
Muhudu Maha Viharaya
Lahugala Magul Maha Viharaya
Buddhangala Monastery

Best time to visit Gal Oya National Park:

From March to July is the ideal time to visit Gal Oya National Park.

Accommodation options near Gal Oya National Park:

There are few hotels located near Gal Oya National Park and for best hospitality services book the hotels at Ampara Town located in the vicinity of Gal Oya National Park. The hotels of Ampara have the facilities of air ticket booking, vehicle parking, hot water bath and fitness centre. The famous hotels and resorts near Gal Oya National Park are as follows: