Gal Oya Lodge

Location: Cultural Triangle & Eastern Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka

Price guide: £££££ Less than £100 per person per night

Gal Oya Lodge is a high-end safari lodge in Gal Oya National Park, with stylish accommodation and premium wildlife-spotting opportunities. Everything is built from local materials such as teak and mara, expertly manipulated by master local craftsmen. The lodge’s location, set in 20 acres of private jungle, is unrivalled for exploring the beautiful natural landscapes and wildlife of the park.

Perfect forExploring the wilderness of Gal Oya National Park in style.

In the knowAs well as wildlife, you can immerse yourself in local life and culture, including meeting the local Veddha people - walk through the jungle with a village chief and learn about medicinal plants whose healing properties have been utilised for centuries.

Recommended for...

Wildlife & Nature
Off the Beaten Track
Setting & Views
Cultural Immersion

Hotel Overview

Sense of place

Sitting on the western fringes of Gal Oya National Park, a large area of forest, scrubland and savannah teeming with plant and animal life, a stay at Gal Oya Lodge immerses you completely in the natural world.

Rooms at Gal Oya Lodge

The lodge has just a handful of spacious bungalows, which reflect the rusticity of their surroundings, and are built from natural wood and stone with traditional thatched roofs. Each one is comfortably appointed with a king-sized bed, with floor-to-ceiling windows and large glass doors opening out onto a private veranda from which you can take in the views of the park. For the ultimate in privacy and luxury, stay in the two-bedroom villa, perched on the highest point of the lodge, which has correspondingly impressive views.

Food & drink

Gal Oya’s restaurant and bar, like the rest of the hotel, has a beautiful rustic design, with wooden pillars and beams and a thatched roof. The a la carte menu offers a range of international dishes which make extensive use of produce from the hotel’s own vegetable garden, with dishes including curries, sambol and roti. Packed lunches are provided to take with you on your excursions, and unforgettable meals can also be enjoyed while out on safari, with a delicious barbecue out in the park a great way to end the day.

Facilities

There is a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by trees and in the shadow of a mountain, where you can enjoy the stillness and serenity of the park.

Activities at Gal Oya Lodge

Gal Oya Lodge is uniquely placed to make the most of the beautiful landscapes of Gal Oya National Park and its diverse wildlife. Take a jeep safari through the jungle to the striking Nigala River, which flows through a field of boulders. Wildlife living in the park includes Sri Lankan elephants - who can often be seen swimming from island to island, and you can enjoy a boat trip as they splash in the water.

Among the area's many other inhabitants are Sri Lankan leopards, star tortoises and mugger crocodiles. An expert naturalist can guide you through the park, helping you to spot wildlife and learn more about what you’ve seen.

Best time to go

Best time to travel

Good time to travel (but some limitations)

Travel is possible (but it’s not the best time)

Travel is not recommended

Best time to go

May-Sep

Hotel location

Gal Oya Lodge is around 3.5 hours’ drive from Kandy, 3 hours from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, or 7 hours from the airport at Colombo. The lodge also has its own helipad.