Gal Oya National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s hidden gems, which is not not yet explored. Separated from other protected areas in Sri Lanka, Gal Oya includes the country’s largest inland lake, Lake Senanayake Samudraya. Over 25,000 hectares of evergreen forest and open savannas thrive around the fun water. Innsjøen’s surface is peppered with islands and the diverse wildlife is best seen on a boat safari, especially the iconic swimming elephants. Here we stay at Gal Oya Lodge, a unique island lodge spread over 20 hectares of private jungle. Choose from a number of activities and excursions such as boat safaris, jeep safaris, night safaris, hiking tours, tours with Vedda chieftains, picnics in the national park.
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Ecorating: 3.5
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
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This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Sample Itinerary
Gal Oya Lodge is a hidden paradise in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province. Set in 25 hectares of private forest, the lodge and their friendly staff invite guests to live in the middle of nature, surrounded by wildlife, lush greenery and breathtaking views.
The lodge consists of 9 bungalows and a 2-bedroom villa. Each bungalow is a blend of the traditional and the modern, mixing natural materials such as illuk, cadjan and wood with modern touches of comfort and luxury. Gal Oya Lodge has created sustainable living spaces that reflect their eco-philosophy. Each bungalow has a spacious bedroom with a king-size bed, plus a living room that opens onto a private veranda.
The bathroom is spacious with indoor and outdoor showers – complete with solar powered hot water.
The lodge has a bar and a spacious restaurant that serves both local and western food. All meals are carefully prepared with local, fresh produce. As a guest, you can also enjoy produce from Gal Oya Lodge’s own organic kitchen garden.
The Veddas are the indigenous people of central Sri Lanka who live in the forest. They have inhabited the island for hundreds of years, living off the land and being at one with nature. Gal Oya Lodge’s neighboring tribe is one of the last remaining communities of the Vedda people. The village chief takes you on a walk through the jungle of his ancestors. The forest comes alive as he explains the tribe’s use of medicinal plants, the location of their ancient hunting grounds and cave dwellings, and how hunter-gatherers made a living in the ancient jungle of Gal Oya.
Gal Oya Lodge is known for its unique safari activities. You can choose from a wide variety of excursions – all accompanied by Gal Oya Lodge’s experienced naturalists.
The lodge offers Sri Lanka’s only boat safari in Gal Oya National Park. Floating on Sri Lanka’s largest reservoir is the perfect way to experience the country’s wildlife at its best. With a bit of luck, you can see elephants swimming between islands or swimming at the edge of the lake.
Take a walk with one of the lodge’s own naturalists and explore the forest on one of the many hiking trails. Feel free to combine with a picnic along the way!
Trip details
Ecorating: 3.5
Season: All year round
Airport: Bandaranaike International (CMB)
The price of the tour includes: Overnight stay, share in gambling room, activities and meals specified in your tailor-made program
The price of the tour does not include: Flight, Travel insurance. You can order travel insurance at Gouda. E-Visa (ETA)
Good to know about Sri Lanka:
Travel etiquette: When visiting a temple, it is customary to take off your shoes and cover your shoulders and knees.
Local currency: Sri Lanka Rupee.
Weather: Sri Lanka has a tropical and warm climate. The summer monsoon from May to October causes the most precipitation to fall in the west, while the east coast receives the most rain from November to January with the winter monsoon. The average temperature varies from about 16 ºC in the central highlands in winter, where frost can sometimes occur, to 33 ºC in the lowlands during summer. The annual mean temperature is between 28 ºC and 31 ºC. The hottest month is May, at the beginning of the rainy season.
Mobile network: Due to the remote location of the lodge, your internet access and phone signals are very limited in and around the camp.
Ecorating: 3.5
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Does my trip make a difference?
Read more
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Proximity and synergy with nature is the basis for everything Gal Oya Lodge does. Their ecolodge concept follows environmentally friendly practices and includes recycling, energy saving, growing their own products and using sustainable materials whenever possible. Furthermore, they have recently set up a separate education and research facility where they collaborate with local conservation organizations to protect wildlife.
All building materials are natural and sourced locally, with 80% of the staff from the surrounding villages. With its own on-site research center and community-based programs, Galo Oya Lodge will give back to the park and surrounding community as much as possible.
