Gal Oya Lodge, Gal Oya National Park, Sri Lanka

Gal Oya Lodge, Gal Oya National Park

Located in an area of raw natural beauty, in the remote Gal Oya National Park on the east of the island this ten room eco conscious lodge offers a very different experience of wild Sri Lanka. The lodge works as a perfect stopover when heading between tea country and the ancient capital of Kandy.

Created from local teak and thatch, the pretty and spacious bungalows each come with a living area, terrace and partially open-air bathrooms. The staff here are extremely welcoming and the wholesome home cooked cuisine relies heavily on the fresh local seasonal produce.

Gal Oya Lodge is all about the experience. Spend your days with a resident naturalist, on jungle drives, guided walks and boat safaris going in search of the resident elephants, reptiles, and wonderful array of exotic birds. This is all about reconnecting with nature, so go off grid and leave your phones beyond with no reception or wifi on offer. There are mountain treks, bike tours and an abundance of wildlife to see from the nearby picturesque lake.

Unique to the area, the indigenous forest dwelling tribe of Sri Lanka, the Veddas, have one of their last remaining communities not far from the lodge. Go on a walk with one of the village elders and see the jungle come to life as he explains the many medicinal plants, the ancient hunting grounds, and cave dwellings of this extraordinary place.