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| Year and Month | March, 2012 |
| Number of Days | Three Day Trip |
| Crew | 9 (between 25-35 years of age) and 2 years old Thihela |
| Accommodation | Mahadorowwa campsite – Gal Oya National Park (Nilgala Side) |
| Transport | Two SUVs and a Double Cab |
| Activities | Camping, Boating, Photography |
| Weather | It rained briefly in the late afternoon of the first day; after that it was Excellent. |
| Route | Colombo -> Bandarawela -> Wellawaya -> Buttala -> Moneragala -> Bibile -> Bulupitiya -> Nilgala Wildlife Office [View Google Earth Trail Map] |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Author | Mithila |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
It was Friday the 16th March. We set of at around 4 a.m. from Moratuwa on a three day excursion to Galoya National Park. Shahan had booked the Mahadorowwa camp site on the Nilgala side of the park. We were a crew of 9 in three vehicles.
Day 01
Our route was via Bandarawela as we had an invitation from a good friend for breakfast at his home.
Few hours later the first rays of the day appeared from the eastern skies. Since we left quite early we were on the most scenic areas of the A4 by that time. No surprise that the scenery was absolutely fantastic!
 First rays of the day filtering through the trees |
 The most beautiful A4 around Haldummulla |
 The day just started |
 Be careful! |
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By 8 a.m. we were in Bandarawela and were warmly welcomed by Priyanjan and Menaka for some delicious breakfast!
After breakfast, and of course about an hour of chit-chat, we said good bye to Priyanjan and menaka to continue our journey to Nilgala.
Climbing down on Ella – Wellawaya road, passing the scenic Ella gap, we were in Wellawaya in less than an hour.
Passing Wellawaya it was an effortless drive on perfectly paved highway. Complementing the pleasure of driving was the beautiful road side scenery with the central mountains in the backdrop.
 Paddy fields around Buttala with Mountains in the backdrop |
 Can it be better? |
 It was eye candy where ever we look |
 Had I cycled this route, my memory card would fill in a matter of minutes! |
From Moneragala we continued toward Bibile. Roads gradually became narrow and bumpy but the beautiful scenery did not change a bit!
By the time we reached Bulupitiya junction it had started to rain, and rain as always, enhanced the beauty of the world!
 Paddy fields reaching the far away mountains |
 Towards the park office through typical forest in NIlgala |
 Beautiful stream now flooding the road after the rain |
 This is what we found in there |
It was almost 2pm by the time we reached the park office. We had a packed lunch with us so by 2.30 p.m. we were heading towards the campsite after lunch. Rain had subsided by that time even though the sky continued to be gloomy.
It did not take long to reach the Mahadorowwa camp site. It was a nice and calm location bordering Galoya. We quickly setup our tents and jumped in the river for a long relaxing bath.
 Nilgala Park Office |
 The camp site was nice and even had a sand platform for pitching tents |
Suddenly it started to rain again and the rain forced us out of water. It rained for about 30 minutes, non-stop, making us worried about the trip. However after fairly persistent downpour of 30 minutes the rain gods decided to leave us alone to enjoy the rest of our trip to the fullest! 🙂
Soon it was dark. We lit up a camp fire, had some quick dinner and settled in our tents for a good night sleep
 The camp Fire |
Day 02
After a good night sleep we woke up to the music of hundreds of birds who seems to have come to welcome us to Nilagala.
Unlike most other national parks, Nilgala is not a place for wildlife viewing safaris. Nilgala is famous for its bird life. Unlike most national parks, Nilagala does not have an extensive network of jeep tracks to drive around. Also you are allowed to walk in the vicinity of the camp site for brid watching accompanied by your guide.
Even though we woke up early our plan for day one was not brid watching. The grand plan was to take an early morning boat ride in the Senanayaka Samudraya (a.k.a Inginiyagala Reservoir). The wildlife department operates a boat service from the Inginiyagala Office (on the opposite side of the reservoir). We had pre-arranged the boat to come to the Nilgala side to pick us up for a ride.
It was 6.30 in the morning. We left the two SUVs in the camp site and took everyone in the double cab. From Mahadorowwa campsite, there was approximately 4.5km to the edge of the reservoir which was also famously know as “Makara”, the place where GalOya disappears in to the reservoir. Out of this distance, about 3.6km is motarable by a 4WD. [View Google Earth Trail Map]
After a 25 minute, bumpy ride we reached the furthermost point a vehicle can travel to. Another 10 minute walk took us to Makara and by 7.15 a.m. we were sailing in the largest irrigation reservoir of Sri Lanka, the mighty Senanayake Samudraya.
 Fun begins when the road ends! |
 The mighty Galoya raging towards Makara |
 Recent rains had set it in rampage |
 Makara – Where Galoya disappears in to the Inginiyagala Reservior |
The reservoir was full, almost up to the spill level. It was a beautiful clear day with plenty of sunshine.
 as we set sail |
 Breathtaking! |
 Cormorants taking off |
 The boatman |
 Beautiful GalOya Reservior |
 Mighty Hills that surrounds the reservior |
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by 8.00 a.m. we reached a tiny island with a sizable cave. The boat was anchored there and every one got off.
The whole island was ours. Except for few fishing boats that wondered around, we felt as if we were many hundred miles away from Civilization!
 Boat anchored at the island |
 Looking towards the water from where we anchored the boat |
We had breakfast there and spent couple of hours enjoying the serenity of the lake, mountains and the pure white clouds which were creating numerous patterns in the heavens.
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 A Private Pool Surrounded the Island |
 This fun will be all gone when the water level of the reservoir goes down. So make a visit during first few months of the year if you want to experience this. |
At abut 10.30 a.m. we boarded the boat for the return journey. Despite the rising heat we decided to do a round in the reservoir without heading strait back to Makara. [View Google Earth Trail Map]
Even in the harsh light conditions, the boat trip proved to be quite picturesque!
 Leaving the Island |
 Mirror! |
 Beauty of Galoya National Park |
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It was well past noon by the time we returned to the camp site. After a cool dip in river, it was time for lunch.
On the way to the camp site fro Makara
Lunch!
Day 03
It was the third and the final day of the trip. We woke up early as usual and walked around the camp site enjoying the beautiful morning with sun rays breaking through the forest canopy. We managed to see many species of birds.
Returning to the camp site, it was time for a quick breakfast and a long dip in the river for the last time before we headed home with sweet memories of Nilgala.
 Good Morning! |
 The by road linking the camp site to the one and only jeep track of the park |
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 Busy looking for feathered friends of the jungle |
 Good Bye Galoya!!!! |