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Couples, Families & Honeymoons
Gal Oya Lodge is a luxurious wildlife lodge on the edge of Gal Oya National Park, one of Sri Lanka's least visited national parks.
Located in 25 acres of private forest, this remote lodge is ideal for those who want to get back to nature and enjoy close encounters with wildlife.
Gal Oya National Park was inaccessible to tourists for many years due to civil war and it is often referred to as ‘Sri Lanka’s forgotten national park’.
This breathtaking national park is covered by lush evergreen forest, open savannas and Senanayake Samudra Lake which is Sri Lanka’s largest lake.
Here, you can enjoy jeep safaris through the jungle and boat safaris on the lake, and wildlife that can be seen includes water buffalo, Sri Lankan leopard, deer, langur monkeys, toque macaque, sloth bear, wild boar and a large number of Asian elephants which can be seen swimming in the lake!
The park is also home to a wide variety of exotic birdlife, including peacocks and parakeets!
As well as jeep and boat safaris in the national park, you can enjoy mountain bike excursions, riverside picnics, guided bird watching walks, and various treks and hikes.
You can also meet the local Vedda Tribe – the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of central Sri Lanka which is a fascinating cultural experience. You can choose your daily activities depending on your personal interests and preferences - just speak to the lodge staff to plan your stay.
Gal Oya Lodge was designed to blend in with its surroundings and it was constructed from locally-sourced natural materials with furniture made by local craftsmen. The guest accommodation at Gal Oya Lodge comprises of nine thatched-roof bungalows and a family villa. The bungalows have a spacious bedroom with a king sized bed, an en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower, and a living room. Each bungalow has a spectacular floor to ceiling glass window and doors that open onto a veranda (note: the verandas don’t overlook neighbouring bungalows so they’re perfect for couples/honeymooners or anyone who wants total privacy).
The two-bedroom villa is situated above the lodge offering incredible views of the national park. The villa has a large living room connecting the two en-suite bedrooms. Each bedroom has its own veranda with spectacular views over the surrounding landscape. The villa is ideal for families (note: children are more than welcome at the Gal Oya Lodge and we think that they will love the wildlife experience at Gal Oya National Park).
The lodge has a lovely swimming pool with sun loungers where you can relax when you’re not out and about exploring Gal Oya National Park.
The restaurant is located on the mezzanine level of the main lodge. It serves simple, yet delicious meals – including traditional Sri Lankan curries and international dishes.
We’ve chosen to work with Gal Oya Lodge as they’re committed to environmentally responsible tourism. The bungalows were built using sustainable and local materials, and the tables and chairs in the lodge’s restaurant were handmade by craftsmen from the local village using teak and mara wood. Gal Oya Lodge follows environmentally sound practices with regards to recycling and energy conservation (for example, the showers are solar-powered and fans are used in the rooms rather than air-conditioning). The lodge strives to be as sustainable as possible – they grow their own herbs and vegetables, and locally sourced food (from neighbouring village farmers and local fishermen) is served in the restaurant.
Explore our Sri Lanka holidays that feature Gal Oya Lodge
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Talk to the team
Find out more and tailor your perfect trip with the help of
our specialist team on +44 117 313 3300