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Gal Oya Lodge

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

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

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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 530 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • Dear Lisa. On behalf of the three generations of the Rowland family. Thank you, so much, for organising our wonderful holiday to Botswana and the Victoria Falls. The trip of a lifetime. The week mobile camping in the bush, with our guide Nandos and his crew was a fantastic adventure. How they manage to cook such wonderful food on an open fire is amazing. The sites were constantly visited by monkeys and once by elephants. We were even lucky enough to see two packs of wild dogs, once with a kill. Waterberry Lodge on the Zambezi River is a wonderfully tranquil place. Ideal to relax after the adventures of our safari and visiting Victoria Falls. Very many thanks once again

    MissingGodfrey R reviewing Private Mobile Family Safari in Botswana on 25 September 2023

  • We had a great time - even with the flight between Governors and the coast being two flights and a car! We also experienced a power cut At Nairobi airport on the way home so 2+ hours late taking off. Governors. Wonderful people and dealt with the flight delay very well - taking us back and letting us know that we could stay there if the flight was delayed overnight. The game drives were excellent and our guide (Erick) obviously very experienced and managed to find all the key animals - no rhino in that part of the Masai Mara but everything else in abundance - never seen so many herbivores (many many elephants as well as all the others) as well as two prides of lions. Could not have asked for more. The ‘tent’ was excellent and comfortable and well serviced. The only ‘complaint’ would be that the food - especially dinner - could be improved (I think we got a bit bored of soup as a starter for every meal bar one) and the main courses were not at the same level as Kinondo Kwetu and while all were explained there was no choice offered. The breakfasts were just what was needed after an early game drive. Kinondo Kwetu. What a great location and the welcome when we arrived at just gone 11.00pm was better than you could have ever thought possible - they we’re disappointed that we did not at that time want the full dinner experience! The rooms we’re comfortable. The food was excellent but again no choice was offered - other than for allergy reasons (which we do not have). May be some choice would be nice. Having said that the food we did have was excellent as were the wines (albeit a short list!) and other drinks. There were (as you know) lots of facilities/sports options - but we spent our time relaxing which was exactly what we needed and there were lots of places to do that. Overall. We would go back to both places - perhaps a few more nights at Kinondo Kwetu next time but 3 nights at Governors was perfect for us. Thank you for organising and recommending both places. That you and your colleague for trying to find out about the plane (flat tyre) but communication by the flight company left a lot to be desired (Governors were furious that they were not told and had taken us to the airstrip). Phil

    MissingPhilip R reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach on 01 September 2023

  • It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve

    MissingStephen H reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari on 01 September 2023

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