Gal Oya Lodge
Sri Lanka- Gal Oya National Park
3nt wildlife experience from £ 799pp
Gal Oya National Park
One of Sri Lanka’ s hidden gems
Gal Oya is the most untouched of all Sri Lanka’ s National Parks. It encompasses the country’ s largest inland body of water, the Senannayaka Samudraya Lake, with lush evergreen forest and open savannahs thriving around the calm waters. The lake’ s surface is peppered with islands and Gal Oya is the only place in Sri Lanka where safaris are available by boat as well as by jeep. This unique vantage point allows you to watch animals as they come to drink at the water’ s edge, forage along the shore and perhaps the real highlight is seeing wild elephants swimming from island to island in search of greener pastures. The park’ s unique ecosystem is also home to wild boar, deer, jackals, sloth bears and crocodiles along with abundant birdlife. There are no phone or WiFi signals so it’ s complete escapism here. The forest-dwelling indigenous Vedda people are neighbours of Gal Oya Lodge, and guests can join the village chief for a walk through the jungles of his ancestors. The forest comes alive as he explains his tribe’ s use of medicinal plants, the location of their ancient hunting grounds and cave dwellings, as well as how hunter-gatherers sustained themselves in the jungles of Gal Oya.
Gal Oya Lodge
UNIQUE Gal Oya National Park
spy swimming elephants • complete escapism • included activities
Just outside the border of this little-known national park, these simple but stylish bungalows, which draw their character from rural Sri Lankan villages, are each carefully placed with their own private views, giving guests the impression of being alone in the wild. Tables and chairs are handmade by the local craftsmen using teak and mara wood, applying traditional skills passed down from generation to generation. Proximity and synergy with nature goes beyond design, with sustainability practices including recycling, energy conservation and a wildlife training and research facility allowing work with local conservation organisations to help protect wildlife. A choice of daily activities are included in your experience as shown below. You also have the chance to visit the forest-dwelling, indigenous Vedda people who have inhabited the island for hundreds of years( at extra expense). Cuisine is another highlight of lodge life with food locally sourced or grown in the organic garden. Be sure to try delicious national favourites such as curries, sambol and roti.
Getting there: Gal Oya is around 4 hours drive from Nuwara Eliya, and easily accessible from Kandy, Passikudah and Yala National Park.
Best time to go: Year-round; however, June-December is the best time for elephants and January-March for bird watching.
Wildlife experience price: Includes 3 nights accommodation, meals and activities shown opposite. For complete flexibility the price does not include transfers. Supplements are available to / from a variety of locations within Sri Lanka.
Features: 9 one bedroom bungalows and 1 two bedroom villa • restaurant
• bar • swimming pool • guided jeep and boat safaris • nature walks with a naturalist • chance to meet the indigenous Vedda( aboriginal people of Sri Lanka)• mountain bikes • FREE jungle cooking class( for a minimum 3 night stay)• wildlife training & research facility
Accommodation: In one bedroom bungalows with king size bed, ceiling fan, indoor and outdoor showers and veranda. There is no air-conditioning, televisions or telephones in the bungalows.
Meals: Á la carte full board( plus light snacks and tea / coffee all day).
Activities: Your wildlife experience includes an afternoon guided walking tour through the countryside with a naturalist to see wildlife close up, one morning boat safari on Sri Lanka’ s largest lake where you may glimpse elephants swimming between islands, and one morning jeep safari through the jungle to the park’ s Nigala section.
Note: There is no WiFi or telephone signal at the lodge.
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