Gal Oya: Where Elephants Swim

While Minneriya showcases the communal strength of elephants, Gal Oya National Park offers a glimpse into their surprising grace. Located in the less-travelled eastern part of Sri Lanka, Gal Oya is the only place in the country – and one of the few in the world – where guests can witness elephants swimming between islands.

This phenomenon unfolds in the reservoir known as Senanayake Samudraya, Sri Lanka’s largest inland body of water. As part of their daily movements, elephants here are known to swim – sometimes in groups – from island to island in search of food and shelter. With just their trunks poking above the water’s surface, these gentle swimmers navigate with incredible ease and strength.

Unlike Minneriya, safaris in Gal Oya are often conducted by boat, offering a tranquil and intimate perspective on the wildlife. The park is also a haven for biodiversity, with over 200 bird species, leopards, and sloth bears calling the area home. But it’s the elephants that steal the show, reminding us of their versatility and adaptability—even in water.

Source: https://hummingbird.travel/company/journals/sri-lankas-majestic-elephants-from-the-great-gathering-to-the-gentle-swimmers-of-gal-oya#:~:text=Located%20in%20the%20less%2Dtravelled,largest%20inland%20body%20of%20water.