An important feature of the Gal Oya National Park is its elephant herd that can be seen throughout the year.

Crossing the Senanayake Samudraya by boat from Inginiyagala is an alternative method of accessing the National Park.

The stupa was built in the 2nd century BC on the site where Buddha is supposed to have meditated on his third visit to Sri Lanka.

Thalawa grassland is dominated by rough grass species, Cymbopogon nardus ("mana") and Imperata cylindrica ("iluk").

Rare plants of medicinal value such as Pterocarpus marsupium, Careya arborea, and Cassia fistula are also found in the forest.

[5] The lesser adjutant, spot-billed pelican and red-faced malkoha are some of the park's resident birds.

[8] The Indian cormorant, Oriental darter, grey heron, and lesser whistling duck are among the common water birds of the Senanayake reservoir.

[9] Gal Oya National Park's butterfly species include the endemic lesser albatross.