Far from the madding crowds of better known Sri Lankan safari hot spots, a bird lover’s paradise and elephant enclave awaits all those who choose to stay a little off the beaten path.
Come and discover an ancient land untouched by time, a haven of serenity in which to reconnect with the rhythms of the earth. Immerse yourself in nature. Soak yourself in local culture. Explore the rich wildlife of Gal Oya, one of Sri Lanka’s most remote and least visited wilderness areas.
Gal Oya Lodge is a unique Sri Lanka ecolodge spread across 20 acres of private forest. Take your time enjoying this natural paradise with boat safaris, jungle drives, bicycle tours, riverside picnics, naturalist treks and even a walk with the lodges Vedda neighbours, one of the last remaining communities of the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of Sri Lanka.
Gal Oya Lodge
The ecocentic Gal Oya Lodge is the only accommodation option within Gal Oya National Park, the journey here might take longer than most, but trust us when we say – it’s worth it. The brainchild of Tim and Sangjay, founders of the infamous Tiger Tops in Nepal, Gal Oya offers a truly unique experience, fit for lovers of the outdoors, nurturers of nature and ambassadors of sustainable living.
From the ‘illuk’ grass roofed guest bungalows, to the handmade teak dining tables, nothing and no-one has journeyed too far to be part of the Gal Oya furniture. The team of staff who bring the lodge to life are almost wholly from the surrounding communities and throughout the lodge guests will enjoy beautiful trinkets created by local craftsmen, whose skills and traditional techniques have been passed down through countless generations.
Sleep
Nine one-bedroom bungalows hide within the jungle surrounds, each positioned with love and care to frame the best views, whilst having minimal impact on the surrounding landscape, flora and fauna. As you will find throughout Gal Oya, the rooms have been designed to ensure nature is right there with you at all times… delivered by floor to ceiling glass windows, sweeping verandah’s, inside/outside bathrooms and simple, yet extremely comfortable and spacious living spaces. The most recent addition to the property is a two-bedroom villa, located in on the highest part of the Gal Oya grounds, boasting jaw dropping views and peaceful privacy. A perfect option for families or groups traveling together. This is a place for families to share time and create memories together.
Eat
As you might expect, the environmental footprint of Gal Oya is almost non-existent and the menu follows suit with every meal being locally sourced and lovingly prepared. All ingredients are fresher than fresh, grown in the lodge’s own vegetable gardens or bought in from neighbouring villages. Although western dishes are available and mouth- watering to say the least, don’t shy away the vibrant curries, sambol’s and roti’s to get those taste buds tingling. Once you’re hooked, book a cookery lesson with one of the chefs so you can take the taste of Sri Lanka home with you.
Play
With over 100 National Parks in Sri Lanka, it is hard to know which one to choose. Gal Oya National Park is one of the largest and yet in comparison to its southern neighbour Yala, completely untouched by tourism. One of the reasons for this is that the wildlife isn’t as dense and therefore you are less guaranteed to see leopard. However, you are almost 100% guaranteed to see elephant (amongst a whole host of other animals and birdlife), and it is the only park in Sri Lanka where you can go on a boat safari!
On top of the safari experience, guests of Gal Oya can enjoy a whole host of activities from hiking and biking to picnics on the banks of the Nigala River. The lack of visitors means that Gal Oya National Park has an extremely rich and healthy biodiversity, which the superb naturalists from the lodge can guide you through during your stay. Finally, the villages which surround Gal Oya are home to some of the last remaining Vedda communities in Sri Lanka. Spend a day with the local chief and understand the history of this serendipitous isles indigenous peoples. Be guided through the forest, exploring the Vedda forest dwellings and hunting grounds, whilst listening to tales of ancient herbal medicines, cave dwellings and fascinating ancestry.
Yala and Wilpattu are well known for leopard sightings but are also well known for the ever increasing number of Jeeps and tourists. While at Gal Oya National Park it is harder to spot the animals (it has all the same animals as Yalla but they much shyer and avoid human contact) you are likely to be one of a few, if not the only, guests in the park. The lodge owners recommend wildlife enthusiasts to spend a few days at Yalla or Wilpattu to “tick the boxes”. Then spend a few days with them exploring the park with one of their experienced naturalists, without the hassle and noise of other jeeps and tourists. As Gal Oya National Park surrounds Sri Lanka’s largest lake, it also offers unique experiences. The most notable being the Boat Safari. If you are lucky, you might even see wild elephants swim from island to island in search for best feeding ground.
Recommended
- The walk of Discovery with the Chief of the Veddha community. It’s a nature walk in the jungle accompanied by the Chief Veddha and one of our naturalists to translate. Along the walk, the chief will point out the flora and fauna they use on a day to day basis as well as the medicinal plants. He will also explain their hunting tactics and survival skills.
- Spending time with the naturalists and scientists at The Jim Edwards Wildlife Research Centre. They have numerous ongoing projects in collaboration with local and international conservation trusts and universities. The main focus of the centre is to help gain a better understanding of the local flora and fauna. Ultimately they want to be more effective in protecting it and to educate local communities on how to live peacefully alongside it. It is great fun and interesting to learn more about what projects are currently underway. Plus you can get involved by joining the team to set up and check camera traps or helping in one of the other projects.
More Information:
Gal Oya Lodge
Footnote:
Contact Seal Superyachts Sri Lanka for detailed information about cruising around Sri Lanka, superyacht charter regulations and about how we can support your visit.
Principle agent Upali Gooneratne is proud to have worked with many of the World’s largest Superyachts and has extensive knowledge of Sri Lanka and the surrounding area.
Upali Gooneratne
Phone: +94 77 244 3016
Email: upali@seal-superyachts.com