Some excursions may require pre-registration or incur additional costs. Please contact our trip planners for more details.
Gal Oya Lodge is more than just a typical Sri Lankan hotel, even though it’s nestled in a remote and stunning location. The aim is to give guests an authentic way to explore and immerse themselves in this pristine and largely untouched part of the island. Some of these activities are included in the price of your stay, while others are available upon request for an additional charge, either when booking or during your time at the Lodge.
Please note that some activities may be subject to seasonal or weather conditions.
Gal Oya Boat Safari
Gal Oya Lake is the largest water body in Sri Lanka and provides a stunning setting for morning or evening boat safaris. In what feels an almost Jurassic landscape we explore remote corners of the park from the water - hoping to see crocodile, elephant, and incredible birdlife. This experience is a totally unique way to see wildlife in its natural and undisturbed habitat. If you’re lucky you may even see elephants swimming island-toisland.
Private and shared options are available
Approx. 5 hours - includes a 40-minute drive to and from the Lodge
Easy on physical exercise
Bird walks and hikes in the local area
We’re blessed at Gal Oya Lodge to have incredible birdlife all around us. In the early evening join one of our naturalist team and wind through the jungle to the lake spotting Kingfisher, Kites, Eagles, and other aquatic birds.
Typically 1-1.5 hours
Light walking
Jungle drive and walk through the park
Gal Oya National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s undiscovered natural treasures. We offer a jeep ride into the forgotten Nilgala section of the park, once the protectorate of ancient royalty for the abundant medicinal plants and endemic birdlife unique to this ecosystem. Although shy and sometimes hard to spot, the Park hosts most of the animals found on the island, some of the more species to look out for include herds of elephants, four species of deer as well as many bird species. Our more intrepid guests may also opt for the hike to the Makara River mouth with one of our expert naturalists, to further experience the jungle and for the chance of seeing wildlife on foot.
Typically 4-5 hours
Light walking if you choose - but can be entirely in the jeep
Picnic in the National Park
Combine the Jungle Drive with a really special early afternoon by the river or at one of the stunning viewpoints inside the Park. Our guide will double as ‘safari chef’ to prepare a simple but delicious lunch for you. You can bask in the sun or, if by the river, enjoy a cooling dip before you continue your drive through the Park and back to the Lodge.
Approx. 5 hours - includes a 40-minute drive to and from the Lodge
Easy on physical exercise
Morning trek to climb Monkey Mountain
You can’t miss Monkey Mountain from the Lodge and the hard work of an early morning climb to its peak reveals a really stunning view across forested valleys and paddy fields. Head out with an expert guide through the villages and farms before climbing through jungle to the peak, returning the Lodge for breakfast.
2-4 hours
Physically quite demanding!
A walk of discovery with the Chief Veddha
Gal Oya Lodge neighbours one of the last remaining communities of the Veddha – the forest-dwelling, Indigenous people of Sri Lanka. We can invite the village Chief to take you on a walk through the jungles of his ancestors. Discover and learn about local nature as he brings the forest alive, explaining his tribe’s use of medicinal plants, ancient hunting grounds, and cave dwellings. It’s a fascinating insight into how the hunter-gatherers lived in the jungles of Gal Oya.
1-2 hours
Light walking
Sri Lankan Jungle Cooking Class
Join our Chef Premarathna in our outdoor Jungle Kitchen hut just a short walk away from the Lodge for an introduction to traditional Sri Lankan cookery. Forage through the forest for some of the key ingredients for your meal on the way to the hut where the rest of the ingredients await you. Cook with Premarathna as he demonstrates how to prepare traditional local meals such as thalapa, thumba, river fish curry, spiced yams, forest salads and kankun.
2 hours
No physical exercise!
Bicycle tour
Join one of our naturalists on a leisurely bicycle ride during your stay at the Lodge. You may choose to ride on a shorter off-track trail to the small Kiri Oruwa Lake, which is teeming with bird species. Alternatively, you may ride on the longer main road which cuts through the National Park to the beautiful Namal Oya Reservoir. Whichever route you take you’ll get off the beaten path and see a new side of Sri Lankan life.
1-3 hours
Reasonable level of fitness required
Gal Oya Lodge Animal Monitoring Programme
We have an ongoing project to record and monitor the Lodge’s resident species of animals. In order to understand them better and take necessary steps to conserve these populations, our team of naturalists regularly embark on evening walks around the Lodge to set up camera traps. If you wish to partake in our monitoring project or want to learn more about the animals you are welcome to join our naturalists on their evening walk as they do this.
1-2 hours
Light walking
Jungle Night Walk
Join one of our resident naturalists for a night walk in the forests surrounding the Lodge, and have a chance to see some of our nocturnal neighbours as they emerge from their daily resting spots. Use a torch to spot eyes peering back at you that could belong to a number of different animals including amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds. One of the highlights is a chance to spot the bizarre-looking Frog Mouth bird or if you are really lucky the endangered Thick-Tailed Pangolin.
1-2 hours
Light walking
