Responsive image

Gal Oya Lodge

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Secluded location on edge of national park
- Very eco-friendly
- Great for wildlife spotting

Speak to someone who's been there

Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our specialists on 855 686 7694

Enquire

Overview

Situated right on the edge of the Gal Oya National Park, this secluded ecolodge is ideal for nature enthusiasts. It’s off the beaten track and tucked away in a part of the park that’s serene and undisturbed, yet at the same time bustling with wildlife. Designed to make guests feel at one with nature, the ecolodges are constructed from a range of natural materials and are set in a mountainous area that affords breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

Guests stay in rustic wooden bungalows that are spread out across the lodge’s grounds. They’re designed to seamlessly blend in with the surrounding scenery and thanks to their floor-to-ceiling windows and doors, they allow guests to enjoy gorgeous views whenever they want. Each bungalow has a bedroom with a comfortable king size bed, as well as a private living area and a bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers, not to mention double sinks. The tables and chairs found in the bungalows have been handcrafted by local villagers using traditional techniques. As well as the bungalows, there’s a larger villa that’s aimed at families or couples wanting a bit more space to themselves. It sits on the highest point of the grounds and each of its two bedrooms has its own wraparound veranda.

Gal Oya National Park is the main catchment area for Sri Lanka’s largest reservoir, Senanayake Samudraya, and is known for its herd of elephants that can be seen throughout the year. It’s one of the least visited of Sri Lanka’s national parks and is among the best preserved. One of the park’s many highlights is the boat safari, which takes visitors among a number of small forested islands that are popular with birds and elephants, who can often be seen swimming in the surrounding waters. While staying at Gal Oya Lodge, there are lots of activities for guests to take advantage of, such as park hikes, riverside picnics, birdwatching walks, bicycle tours and jungle drives - all of these are led by knowledgeable guides who will tell guests all about the area and its many resident animals.

The ecolodge’s restaurant serves both Sri Lankan and western dishes, with meals freshly prepared using locally sourced ingredients. Those interested in picking up some cooking tips can meet the chef for some cooking courses. As well as a restaurant, the ecolodge has a bar and an outdoor swimming pool that’s open year-round.

Those who are travelling with children should consider booking the villa as it’s more convenient and has more space. Because the ecolodge is set within a national park with wildlife roaming freely, it’s suggested that parents keep an eye on their young ones at all times. Children of all ages are welcome here.

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 540 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • We had such a good holiday. You did a fantastic job!

    The house in Marrakesh was ridiculous. We effectively had it to ourselves. The accommodation was borderline palatial.

    I actually think that the time we had in Marrakesh was sufficient. We could potentially have done a day by a pool but I think we’d done enough souk-ing by the end of Day Two.

    The hotel in the mountains was a shade more rustic than I was expecting, but all great fun. Stunning views. The guide / mule / cook team were excellent and our guide (Hassan) tailored the treks to our capabilities well. He was superb, and really made an effort with the kids. The second and third day of trekking were particularly good. Such an adventure for the kids.

    All the logistics worked seamlessly. Every aspect went like clockwork. Top marks. The advice on tipping was also much appreciated (I hate thinking that I’m getting mugged off or am potentially not giving enough…).

    From my seven-year-old son:

    I thought it was GREAT. The food was amazing and the culture was very interesting. My favourite bit was scrambling up rocks in the Atlas Mountains.

    In retrospect, I’d probably do the trip in reverse. Flopping on the roof terrace after the rigours of the mountains would have been even more satisfying.

    MissingHenry O reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 05 June 2025

  • We just wanted to thank you for an absolutely amazing holiday. Everything went exactly to plan and we were blown away with the quality of the guides, transport and accommodation. The itinerary was perfect for our family with a great mix of guided and free days and the different destinations complemented each other well. We will definitely be using Tourdust again for our next trip! Particular highlights were the Ha Long Bay cruise, Hanoi, and the morning cycle tour in Siam Reap

    MissingJane P reviewing Complete Vietnam For Families on 14 May 2025

  • We had an extraordinary time. It was magical and we couldn't hav asked or hoped for more. Thank you both so much for all of your time and assistance.

    MissingEmma M reviewing Best of Botswana for Families on 18 November 2024

+
See more reviews

Decisions...

Stop searching and speak to someone who knows.

Enquire Now