Gal Oya National Park: Why You'll Love This Destination
Gal Oya National Park is built around the large Senanayake Samudraya reservoir, and is one of the only places in Asia where elephants are regularly seen swimming between islands — explored by boat safari rather than jeep, a genuinely different wildlife experience from Sri Lanka's other parks.
Gal Oya is one of very few places in Asia where elephants are regularly seen swimming across open water between islands — full details in the Gal Oya swimming elephants guide.
Unlike most Sri Lankan parks, Gal Oya is explored primarily by boat across its reservoir rather than by jeep.
Its remote southeast location keeps visitor numbers low, appealing to travellers wanting a genuinely different safari experience.
See the full Gal Oya swimming elephants guide — the park is accessed via Ampara. Background: Gal Oya National Park on Wikipedia.
