Wednesday, Sep 14, 2022

Venture into the serene wilderness

by Tharushan Fernando

Galway's Park is one of the few well-known national parks in the city, although being one of the smallest is situated 3 km from Nuwara Eliya and hosts a diverse range of wildlife, flora and fauna.

When you step into the hillside of Nuwara Eliya, the fascinating landscape is bound to leave you in wonder. The beautifully laid out tea estates and vintage architecture lie on the side of the towering mountains and montane forests.

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Nestled into the wild terrain is Galway's Land National Park, which is considered one of the smallest national parks on the island. On May 27, 1938, the park was designated as a wildlife sanctuary and was recognized as a national park in 2006. 27 ha (0.10 sq mi)of dense forests harbour a montane ecosystem and around 20 rare migrant bird species and 30 native species. Apart from the vibrant birdlife, the park has valuable floral species of both native and foreign origin. The main entrance to the Park is situated at Nuwara Eliya, on Udupussellawa road.

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Early morning or sun-down would be the ideal time to visit the park. A rocky path is laid out as the trail and takes you through the verdant forest, where you’ll be greeted with the sound of birds, and the more you pay attention to what’s around you, the more you will see. The tranquillity of nature will truly leave you at peace while walking through the forest, where you could have some thrilling encounters with the wild. For those who time it right and have a bit of luck on their side, one could easily spot some of the more elusive creatures of the wild.

A look at Wildlife in Galway's Land National Park

Birds

Endemic
Sri Lanka Yellow Eraed bulbul
Whistling thrush
Junglefowl
Dullblue Flycatcher
Grey Hornbill
White Eye
Scimitar Babbler
Brown Capped Babbler
Wood Pigeon
Foreign
Forest Wagtail
Brown Shrike
Indian pitta

Butterflies

Ceylon Tiger
Indian Red Admiral
Common blue bottle
Common Birdwing
Great Eggfly Common Rose
Blue Admiral
Common Sailor

Reptiles

Aspidura spp
Calotes Nigrilabris
Ceratohora Stoddartii
Cophotis Zeylanica

Mammals

Hog Deer
wild boar
Giant Squirrel

Guides are readily available at the park office to lend a hand. The trek is only 2 km and is perfect for those who enjoy wildlife spotting, and the trail is ideal for everyone, including families with kids.

The beautiful national park is only a 5-minute drive from our latest destination, W15 Lake Gregory. Unwind in absolute luxury while indulging in the stunning beauty of the hills.

Tharushan Fernando

Content Creator

Former journalist, copywriter, concept developer and digital media professional. Has been in the field of professional writing for over 10 years, with experience in a variety of industries, including advertising, content writing and news. He is currently working as the content writer for Steradian Capital Investments and W15 Collection.