The Gal Oya National Park in Sri Lanka was established in 1954, serving as the main catchment area for Senanayake Samudraya, the largest reservoir in the island. Four protected areas covering 63,000 hectares of land comprise this wildlife park, separated yet connected by the lake. The best way to explore this national park is on a boat safari – sail between the islands as the sun sets and watch elephants swimming between the separate islands. You can also go on jeep safaris in the park and seek out axis deer, muntjac, water buffalo, sambar, leopard, toque macaque, wild boar, mugger crocodile and star tortoise. Gal Oya is also home to over a 150 species of birds and rare medicinal plants used in Ayurveda medicine.

Although Gal Oya National Park can be visited from Arugam Bay, the best place to stay is at Gal Oya Lodge, a luxurious eco-retreat which sits on the fringes of the park itself and offers complete tranquillity and seclusion – as well as easy access to the park which is convenient for early morning game drives.