https://www.galoyanationalpark.com/home daily 1.0 2021-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1620109883138-6YLJUBHZSOXSTTTH23CF/Jeep+safari+.jpg Home - Exploring Gal Oya National Park From boat safaris to guided birding hikes and mountain-top scrambles, a small number of lodges and independent guides offer unique and beautiful experiences within the park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621243959870-CCQBYMV81R4N6K81ECVS/Gal+Oya+Leopard+-+Small.jpg Home - Flora and fauna Gal Oya National Park boasts a diverse population of Sri Lankan wildlife - from herds of elephants and other rare mammals to a rich birdlife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1620190643215-EZ5CJEPPLP2LJ9DHF01G/034A9270_2.jpg Home - Vedda Tribes The Veddas are widely considered the indigenous people of Sri Lanka. Vedda communities live on the fringes of Gal Oya National Park and some lodges offer a chance to meet members of local tribes, giving a glimpse of a lifestyle little changed in hundreds of years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/bfb7a281-8868-4458-bfce-1cdc124951e7/Gal+Oya+Leopard+-+Small.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/ea9a3477-8a3e-46d3-8c77-5646f62bb12b/Gal+Oya+watering+hole+-+Small.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/efc58fe5-ee63-4633-9f94-dd4985fc6136/Gal+Oya+Peacock+-+Small.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/7b861556-e07a-4dfa-9bd8-cb959f3e97f0/Gal+Oya+Lake+2+-+Small.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/cb5856aa-a79d-465a-a65f-3109a71be344/Gal+Oya+Crocodile+-+Small.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/8e8e16ac-8371-43ca-a435-b749ad907248/Gal+Oya+Bird+-+Small.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/346d8247-e956-4755-ab17-88617e5ace8a/Gal+Oya+Mountains+2+-+Small.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/f7caf390-7d91-4449-a35d-38c2f80c5cfb/Gal+Oya+Snake+-+Small.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/ce47e42a-01d0-4987-a447-87c2b2761d36/Gal+Oya+Leopard+2+-+Small.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/d98d6b0e-e26f-4e89-8158-188ff179c7fe/Gal+Oya+Elephant+-+Small.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/915dd36d-45dd-4e75-9fe9-7f8299ae050f/Gal+Oya+Lake+Aerial+-+Small.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/98c9f836-f9d1-4f65-9317-c4416c3d67f3/Gal+Oya+Mountains+-+Small.jpg Home https://www.galoyanationalpark.com/about-the-park daily 0.75 2021-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621316285211-Q2XACK3GHZO57ZOH8YTF/Gal+Oya+historical+image+%28small%29.jpeg About the Park - Geography With elevations from 30m to 900m Gal Oya National Park boasts a rich and varied topography and the wide range of ecosystems that go with it. Granite hills, evergreen valleys and large water reservoirs offer tranquil and breathtaking scenery. The entire protected region - including the Sanctuaries of Senanayake Samudraya, Gal Oya Valley North-East and Gal Oya Valley South-East - extends over 64,000 hectares, with vegetation from rich grasslands to ancient forests. The Park itself is just under 26,000 hectares. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621316168097-7GT2X2E6X0TZC9JITXYR/Gal+Oya+historical+image+%28small%29.jpg About the Park - History Now a refuge for wildlife, it’s said that the region surrounding Gal Oya, in the east of Sri Lanka, once provided sanctuary for Sinhala Kings. In the 2nd Century BC, King Tissa is thought to have fled to Digavapi, a site visited, it’s claimed, by Lord Buddha and one still attracting thousands of pilgrims today. Established in 1954, administration of the Park was given to The Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1965 and considerable efforts have been made to protect both the animal populations of the Park as well as the habitats - often threatened by illegal logging and grass burning - that are their homes. Off-limits for much of Sri Lanka’s civil war, the Park has attracted growing attention and increasing numbers of visitors since the early 2000s. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621316541038-XC7Q9JPY836W5LSR6WJD/bike+ride.jpg About the Park - Threats & Conservation Like every other pristine ecosystem Gal Oya faces its own challenges to retain its rich biodiversity. Illegal logging and the trade of protected medicinal plants have been recorded in the area. A delicate balance is sought between the economic needs of local communities and the goal of protecting the region’s natural ecosystems. Encroachment into the Park for cattle grazing is ever more common as is the burning of tall grassland habitats for the planting of grain crops. Tampering with habitats inside Gal Oya national park could lead to irreparable loss and the Department for Wildlife Conservation is taking measures to lessen the impact. A wildlife corridor with Madhur Oya Park has been proposed for the safe movement of Elephants and other wildlife. Park boundaries are being reconstructed and Park officials are pro-actively partnering with conservation bodies to ensure proper law enforcement as well as funding research projects that better educate on the value the Park holds. https://www.galoyanationalpark.com/flora-and-fauna daily 0.75 2021-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621316966773-YTYVJB6VLY9MJYCTK10R/DSCF5736.JPG Flora and Fauna https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621317094724-C1WPHRFJM6C6IR5SMCNA/Gal+Oya+Leopard+2+-+Small.jpg Flora and Fauna https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621317055811-24MS7MRH61I5K7BE54VS/Elephant+in+the+water.jpg Flora and Fauna https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621317533274-95M8LEPTRUQ0D7YGXQOP/FishingCat_111_Koringa_AnjaniKumar_FCC_July2018.jpg Flora and Fauna - Other wonderful mammals Beyond the very recognisable, the Park is home to a host of less celebrated but wonderful mammals. Primates such as Toque Macaques and Grey Langur; Wild Boar, Water Buffalo, Deer and Sloth bear. As well as the leopard, Gal Oya is a home to Sri Lanka’s three other wild cats - the Fishing Cat, the Jungle Cat and the Rusty Spotted Cat. These amazing creatures are ever-more appreciated and the delicate nature of their habitats better understood. Organisations like FishCat are working to help preserve and in some cases restore the ecosystems of which these animals are a kay part. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621317626675-S3GJYS6IC9MVH7OGC7WO/Gal+Oya+Bird+-+Small.jpg Flora and Fauna - Birdlife in Gal Oya National Park Birding in the Intermediate Zone offers twitchers a great opportunity to add good numbers to their checklists. Areas in and around Gal Oya National Park are home to more than 150 species. Endemic birds such as the Crimson Barbet, Ceylon Green Pigeon, Ceylon Grey Hornbill , Scimitar Babbler, Orange Billed Babbler, Sri Lankan Wood-Shrike, Ceylon White Eye, Ceylon Hill Myna, Ceylon Jungle and Spur Fowl are all found in Gal Oya National Park. Bird watching can be arranged in the Nilagala Protected Reserve in Jeeps with professional guides and bird walks around water bodies and hill forests also offer some beautiful sightings with a scenic backdrop of evergreen forests. A boat safari is possibly the best way to see fishing Eagles, along with other water birds found in the area. https://www.galoyanationalpark.com/vedda-tribes-1 daily 0.75 2021-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621323711032-RJX7MCCKYB07NXT0RRGV/Vedda+2.jpg Vedda Tribes - History of the Vedda Sri Lanka’s Vedda tribes are considered the longest inhabitants of the island; its indigenous people. Written into existence by the Mahavamsa in the 5th Century CE, the Vedda people were said to have been the descendants of King Vijaya (the first Sinhala king of Sri Lanka). They, though, would contest that story, claiming an even older, pre-Buddhist history. Regardless of their early origins, the Vedda have sought to maintain the culture and way of life of their ancient ancestors. Traditionally cave-dwellers, the Vedda would also follow a nomadic pattern, tracking animal migrations and building temporary homes near to watering holes in the dry seasons. Increasingly, the Vedda people are being absorbed into mainstream Sri Lanka, adopting SInhala and Tamil language and customs. To counter that trend, some Vedda actively work to preserve the traditions of the past and educate visitors on how they’ve lived for centuries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621323836537-A7XASUV54E4TKCXAK3LM/Veddha.JPG Vedda Tribes - Meet the Vedda The areas surrounding Gal Oya are amongst the last few places where you can still meet the Vedda. Some local lodges can arrange walks with senior members of the tribe. You’ll be given an insight into their use of medicinal plants, the location of their ancient hunting grounds and cave dwellings, as well as how hunter-gatherers sustained themselves in the ancient jungles of Gal Oya. This article describes the experience in full. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1620795677949-LR3JOMSHWJP5KVNUVA4O/DSCF4912.JPG Vedda Tribes https://www.galoyanationalpark.com/exploring-the-park daily 0.75 2021-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621400395951-T3YCJ4FF2CN1NLT36K5W/GAL_OYA_CAMPBELL_BREWER_IMG-624.jpg Exploring the Park - Jungle Drive and Walk Experience an open-top jeep ride through the Nilgala section of the Park. Head down empty tracks, looking out for elephant, deer and wonderful birdlife. Make for a secluded river spot and enjoy a delicious picnic before a cooling dip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621399778574-8I2YLJAVKSXGQZX2LJ6N/GAL_OYA_CAMPBELL_BREWER_IMG-164.jpg Exploring the Park - Gal Oya Boat Safari Enjoy the only experience in Sri Lanka that lets you spot wildlife from the water. A unique way to immerse yourself in the animals’ habitats. With a little luck you could spot elephants swimming between islands or bathing at the lake’s edges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621400773176-QCFPQAF16EP2O5P9EH03/GAL_OYA_CAMPBELL_BREWER_IMG-131.jpg Exploring the Park - Hikes & climbs The Park and its surrounding area provide rich territory for hikes, climbs and scrambles. Some nearby lodges offer guided hikes to stunning viewpoints looking out across the Park and the jungles around it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1621400616251-NDE9P0PMDZ6DJHRE7POM/7H9A2452.JPG Exploring the Park - Meet the Vedda Spend time with the Chief of a Vedda tribe - Sri Lanka’s indigenous people. Learn a little of their customs and traditions as you share a walk through the jungles of Gal Oya. https://www.galoyanationalpark.com/visit-the-park daily 0.75 2021-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6090e44108fff025fb6cf10a/1620833431924-UTHRWKCOH2OFJHAFOZKO/oLzj-YfA.jpeg Visit the Park https://www.galoyanationalpark.com/gal-oya-images daily 0.75 2021-05-12 https://www.galoyanationalpark.com/gal-oya-images/project-six-g43ze monthly 0.5 2020-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847421455-8JW2CPL3ZB56F2Z8ACLN/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Six https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847422112-G7ETRT5C07KF9PHFAV96/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Six https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847420762-AGPM8HHB51L8F01AAZN7/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Six https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847420322-U8QPDYBOD6HXYRSL8QW0/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Six https://www.galoyanationalpark.com/gal-oya-images/project-five-ckfb8 monthly 0.5 2020-08-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847419260-TLMPOGZEKRIR09EDXNAA/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Five https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847419968-YLRD4TYV9QU8K9LW04SP/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Five https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847418911-D6BSPWP8P3O9YAF5R3SO/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Five https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847418431-66X2HHF6ZNWKOC9VHLZI/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Five https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847417789-TGDSX064I3PZELTJI8Q1/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Five https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847417384-6R65UAAJW6EW4KUCUT6U/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Five https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847416982-R2067X6OPKY3MG304FSJ/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Five https://www.galoyanationalpark.com/gal-oya-images/project-four-w7ab2 monthly 0.5 2020-08-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847905386-9EM9GLHE12726EXM68S4/image-asset.jpeg Gal Oya images - Project Four - Make it stand out. It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847906050-Q37PFW075QZ6YU9179YP/image-asset.jpeg Gal Oya images - Project Four - Make it stand out. It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847907929-YZFF0BD112Q9PF2G1BK6/image-asset.jpeg Gal Oya images - Project Four - Make it stand out. It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.galoyanationalpark.com/gal-oya-images/project-three-8n5n3 monthly 0.5 2020-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847412609-54WSVSAFRMKZEQTXDKB9/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Three https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847411947-BSOTI2122B2HLPAP3XSL/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Three https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847411502-9D27YNIMALNIHZYQ1CMG/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Three https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847410901-NW4BE1NIG86WQS26D48L/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Three https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847410514-YTA75TP5M5NY1DD11BB2/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Three https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847409407-NH9B3VB0PQWBG5LZEU5P/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Three https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847408362-3VSTKTYIWN0INM638YVD/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Three https://www.galoyanationalpark.com/gal-oya-images/project-one-r6sh3 monthly 0.5 2020-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847404387-JU309UFEWQ1YR946FJVD/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project One https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847403763-CNHK66ERZAP3FARA51ND/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project One https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847403305-VJDKJA1VO786FIOO83WE/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project One https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847402884-2RBITFZTNVLDS1AJEKXW/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project One https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847402453-A0LKCHP0YA7NLI2E0WJA/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project One https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847402040-WALQWA4IM1JBBHBJZ731/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project One https://www.galoyanationalpark.com/gal-oya-images/project-two-9x4ce monthly 0.5 2020-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847407784-0ZWK2VWHWVEO87VQWTE3/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Two https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847407287-985X24W2BPAEHHISD0C0/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Two https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847406849-K0MEB56K6G4CEGRZ4D2J/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Two https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847406249-J4HYEHES6F6UCY5TVM2A/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Two https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847405591-FZUNRUAT1SR1PVIL5TA8/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Two https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847404849-JBKU84SJXZL5LDL554SL/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Gal Oya images - Project Two