[/vc_column] Gal Oya National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s undiscovered natural treasures. Within the park exist herds of elephants, wild boar, four species of deer, jackals, sloth bears, marsh mugger crocodiles and an array of rare exotic birds some of which are endemic to Sri Lanka. A boat safari will afford the visitors a unique opportunity to observe the local wildlife from the stunning Gal Oya Lake. This experience is the only one of its kind in Sri Lanka that enables you to spot wildlife from the water and to truly immerse yourself in the animals’ habitats. You may be lucky enough to see the elephants swimming between islands or bathing at the lake’s edge. The Safari involves a 40 minuet drive through villages and the National park to the boat point followed by 2-3 hours on the boat. We offer a jeep safari into the forgotten Nilgala section of the park, once protected by ancient royalty for the abundant medicinal plants and endemic bird life in this unique ecosystem. Our more intrepid guests can couple the drive with a safari on foot ! The hike through the park with our expert naturalist, offers a chance to see wildlife close up and to explore hidden corners of the park. One of the last remaining communities of the Veddha people – the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of Sri Lanka are still living in the neighbouring jungles. We can invite the village chief to take you on a walk through the jungles of his ancestors. Discover and learn about local nature as he brings the forest alive by explaining his tribe’s use of medicinal plants, ancient hunting grounds and cave dwellings, while providing a fascinating insight into how the hunter-gatherers lived in the jungles of Gal Oya./vc_column_text]