In the south eastern part of Sri Lanka lies arguably the most un-spoilt jungle in this delightful country: Gal Oya National Park which is home to 32 species of mammal including elephant, leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, water buffalo and deer. Within this immense national park lies Gal Oya Lodge, which spreads out over 30 acres of wilderness. This unique lodge specialises in high-end environmentally responsible tourism. Gal Oya Lodge offers you the chance to experience this natural wonder through jungle drives and nature walks. This charming and whimsical spot also offers the only opportunity in Sri Lanka to get out on a boat safari with a chance of witnessing wild Asian elephants crossing the various lakes and rivers.
Senanyake Samudraya Lake located within the Gal Oya National Park is the largest single mass of water in Sri Lanka and is home to over 150 species of birds, such as fish eagles and other magnificent birds of prey. It is also a very special place to see the Asian elephant in its natural habitat. Taking a safari by boat will give you a unique and special perspective on the animals and birds coming to feed and drink on the lake.
Gal Oya Lodge is the focus of a trip to Sri Lanka and a very good introduction to the country. It is also a great place to start your Sri Lankan adventure and a perfect spot to immerse yourself in nature’s wonder. We will be happy to assist you to continue your wildlife adventure into other parks in the south or the north, such as Yala east (Kumana) National Park or Wilpattu National Park. Alternatively ask us to take you down to the coast to experience Sri Lanka’s marine based wildlife including whales and dolphin.
Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. You will have a chance to enjoy a city tour of Columbo, the largest city and former administrative capital of Sri Lanka. The city is busy and vibrant with a mixture of modern life and remnants of a bygone colonial era. Due to its large harbor and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, ancient traders knew Colombo 2,000 years ago. However it was only made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815. On this tour you will visit many of the historical, religious and commercial sites of Colombo including the historic and bustling Fort and Pettah, the elite residential Cinnamon Gardens, the Galle face Green and a church where Dutch tombstones constitute the floor panels.
You will spending the night at Residence by Uga on a B/B basis.
After breakfast at the hotel in Columbo, proceed to Wilpattu. Wilpattu National Park is 508 square miles (131.694 hectares) in extent and was declared a National Park in 1938. The park has (in our opinion) the best national park habitat in the country and is renown for its many natural lakes (known as Villus). The bird life is near perfect and it is renowned for spotting the cloaked leopard. The coming two nights you will be staying at the Ensuite tent at Leopard Trails on a B/B basis.
Leopards are perhaps the most elusive and hard to spot wild cats on the planet so you need to keep heads high and eyes sharp. As Sri Lanka has the highest density of them this is an excellent opportunity to spot these magnificent cats. Embark on an exciting 4×4 jeep safari in search of leopard, sloth bear, wild elephant, pangolonian, snakes and numerous species of bird.
After breakfast we will visit Minneriya National Park. This national park with 8,889 hectares in extent is famous for its large population of elephants in herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the lake. If you visit during the dryer months, the herds will be competing with the largest number of elephants in the world.
Minneriya also holds wild buffalo, wild boar, spotted deer, sloth bear, Sambar deer, leopard, crocodiles, jackals, 9 kinds of amphibians, 25 kinds of reptiles, 160 species of birds, 26 varieties of fishes, 78 varieties of butterflies so a fantastic place for all round wildlife enthusiasts. Your stay overnight will be at the Elephant Corridor on a B/B basis.
Today you will be making the transfer to Gal Oya. This national park is popular for its natural habitat and wildlife. Unlike other national parks you get to see elephant herds throughout the year and you may have a possibility of seeing them swim across the lake. Many important herbs that are used in Ayurveda medicine can be found in this national park. The coming three nights you will be staying at Gal Oya Lodge on a B/B basis.
Today you will experience a boat safari on Gal Oya Lake, which is the biggest lake in Sri Lanka. A great opportunity to observe wildlife from the stunning landmark in the park with a number of endemic species of birds and a variety of raptors including eagles and hawks. This experience is the only one in Sri Lanka that enables you to spot wildlife from the water and to truly immerse yourself in the animals’ habitats. You may be lucky enough to see elephants swimming between islands or bathing at the lake’s edge.
Sri Lanka’s indigenous inhabitants, the Veddas (‘forest-dwellers’) preserve a direct line of descent from the island’s original Neolithic community dating from at least 16,000 BC. With the impending extinction of Wanniya-laeto culture, we stand to lose a rich body of indigenous lore and living ecological wisdom.
At Gal Oya Lodge, you are invited by the Chief of Sri Lanka’s indigenous Vedda tribe walk through the jungles of his ancestors. Enjoy nature as he brings the forest alive by explaining his tribes uses of medicinal plants, ancient hunting grounds, cave dwellings and while he gives you an insight on how the hunter gathers lived in the jungles of Gal Oya National Park.
Pasikuda beach is a fantastic place for you to end your Sri Lankan adventure. The nearest city to Pasikuda beach is Batticola. The beaches crystal clear water is a perfect spot for you to reflect on your Sri Lankan journey. You will spending the coming two nights at Uga Bay Resort on a B/B basis.
Enjoy the beach and gin clear water that comes with it, as today is yours to pamper yourself with spa treatments and relaxation.
On our way back to the airport and your international departure from Colombo we will briefly visit Galle.
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