Positioned on the edge of the relatively untouched and least explored national park in the heart of Sri Lanka, this unique safari lodge specialises in high-end, environmentally responsible tourism. Comprising 10 spacious bungalows within 20 acres of private jungle and grasslands, around a swimming pool and restaurant, every guest space has magnificent views. The numerous activities found here include: jeep safaris, bird walks, bike rides, and meeting the indigenous Vedda Tribe. The highlight activity is a boat safari on Sri Lanka’s biggest lake. Guests can expect to see a wide variety of wildlife, and for those who are really lucky the chance to see elephants swimming from island to island in search of the freshest grass.
Tim Edwards
Your Host and The Team
“Our vision was to create a unique wildlife lodge in the the most unspoilt part of Sri Lanka, concentrating on environmentally sustainable tourism. All building materials are natural and locally sourced with 80% of the staff coming from the surrounding villages. With our own research centre on site and community based programs we hope to give back to the park and the surrounding community as much as possible. We offer some of the most unique experiences found on the island, including the chance to see the swimming elephants of Gal Oya. Gal Oya Lodge is the only lodge surrounding the national park meaning guests pretty much have the park to themselves, a unique situation in Sri Lanka where many of the other parks are overcrowded.”
Rooms
Bungalow (9 units)
Two-bedroom Villa (1 unit)
Facilities and Highlights
Bar/Lounge
Restaurant
Cooking Class
Minority Tribes
Wildlife
Sharks
Leopards
Birdwatching
PoloShow/hide facilities
Facilities and Highlights
-
Bar/LoungeRestaurantCooking ClassMinority TribesWildlifeSharksLeopardsBirdwatchingPolo
- Infinity Pool: The lodge has an inviting infinity pool surrounded by bushes.
- Restaurant: Perched on the mezzanine of the main building, the chef prepares a simple and delicious cuisine mixing some local curries, sambol, roti and western dishes. For breakfast, try the buffalo curd!
- Vedda: Vedda are the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of central Sri Lanka, who have inhabited the island for hundreds of years. They live off the land and are at one with nature. One of the last remaining Vedda communities is just next to the lodge. The village chief likes to take guests on a walk through the jungle of his ancestors and share the use of medicinal plants, ancient hunting grounds, and cave dwellings.
- Bird watching & safaris: A resident naturalist will take you for a walk around the lodge to experience the abundant birdlife and beautiful surroundings. The walk offers a number of possible routes through the trees and around the nearby lake, to observe Kingfishers, Eagles, Kites, and many types of aquatic birds. The park is also home to herds of elephants, wild boar, four species of deer, jackals, sloths, marsh mugger crocodiles, and other wildlife.
Useful Information
GENERAL
Total number of rooms: 10Time zone: (GMT+05:30) Mumbai
Currency accepted: USD, EUR
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Electricity voltage: 230V
Electricity plug type:
CONCIERGE
Your concierge is ready to assist you with planning and completing your reservation, contact them on dream@secret-retreats.comACCESS
Off the main road Bibile-Inginiyagala, at the entrance of the Park.Airport: Colombo International Airport (CMB) - 300 km
Airport: Batticaloa Airport (BTC) - 119 km
Station: Kandy - 147 km
CONTACT
Rathugala, Wellessa, Bibile - Uva Province 91500 , Sri LankaCONTACT HERE
