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Explorer by Mahoora

Private Tented Safari Camp Experience in Gal Oya

 

 

 

Gal oya national park swimming elephantsLiving Experience

Explorer by Mahoora is a highly unique and immersive experience of living with untamed Sri Lankan wildlife inside National Parks and Nature Reserves across the country. Our Private Tented Safari Camp Experience in Gal Oya isolates you in the grasslands of the 25,900 hectare Gal Oya National Park.

Divided between an evergreen forest and a dusty savannah, you are invited to live amongst swimming elephants and elusive leopards, plus, over 180 other species of mammals and birds. Besides the wildlife, Gal Oya is home to an old Veddha clan. Veddhas are the indigenous people of Sri Lanka and this tribe still lives in the Nilgala area of the Gal Oya National Park.

 

 

Accommodation

The Explorer by Mahoora Living Experience combines rustic with modern. Enjoy a spacious, tented accommodation (15.6’x 8’) which includes a cosy bedroom, en-suite bathroom with a flushable toilet and complimentary toiletries, as well as a private verandaporch outside the tent. Your stay with us will always be carbon neutral.

Mahoora explorer camps at Gal Oya National ParkDining Experience

Dining, too, is an adventure with Explorer by Mahoora. While you enjoy a quiet cup of tea at sunset or wait for a hot meal to cool under the stars, not too far away… the grey langur monkeys, sloth bears, elephants, wild boars, water buffalos and leopards roam for their own supper.

At nightfall we make your wild dinner experience a little extra special. Listen to the campsite come alive with nocturnal animal whispers carried by the wind, and follow the flaming torches to your private starlight supper by a crackling campfire.

Your wild dining is set up within the campsite, and meals are freshly prepared by our executive chef on-site. Menus are deliciously local and carefully designed for your palate, so your culinary journey matches the rest of your adventure.

 

gal oya boat safari

 

Game Drives

Mahoora Explorer camping experience at Gal Oya National ParkGame Drives let you explore your new home at the Gal Oya National Park, by land and water. Jeeps or Boat Safaris let you experience everything from an elephant roaming the savannah, to swimming from one island to another.

Are you game for your wildest fantasy to become a reality?

Facts

Accommodation

  • A tent (15.6’x8’) with accommodation, an en-suite bathroom, and a private veranda/porch

  • Tented accommodation with raised beds with freshly laundered bed linens and a bedside table along with basic amenities

  • Fully-sealed tent with ventilation nets

  • Equipped with a shoe rack and two foldable arm chairs

  • One rechargeable table top fan is provided in the bedroom

  • A rechargeable lantern is provided for illumination   

  • The veranda/porch includes two chairs and a coffee table

Camping at Gal Oya National ParkEn-Suite Bathroom

  • En-suite flushable toilet with pipe-borne water, wash basin, and shower area

  • Toiletries on complimentary basis

Game Drives

  • All entry permits, park fees, and government taxes for the entire stay.

  • A shared Jeep with front-faced comfortable elevated seats is provided for maximized game viewing and photography opportunities.

  • A naturalist is provided for each Jeep.

  • Complimentary picnic basket for the safari with chilled beverages and snacks for the safari break will be provided.

  • Two game drives per each night stay will be provided.

    The morning safari starts from the camp at 5.30 a.m. till 10.00 a.m. The park gate opens at 6.00 a.m. The afternoon safari starts from the camp at 2.30 p.m. till 6.00 p.m.

  • An option to do a full-day safari is available for guests staying more than a night.

  • For pre-requested wildlife photographers, we provide monopods, bean bags etc. during the safari.

  • Unlimited water will be provided.

Gal Oya National Park Safari Camp ExperienceFood & Beverage Service

  • Pre-dinner drinks around the campfire and wine (by the glass) during dinner.

  • For breakfast, continental and Sri Lankan dishes including fresh juices are available.

  • Freshly prepared Sri Lankan lunch at the camp

  • Five course dinner menu with signature dishes including a BBQ around the campfire.

  • Unlimited tea/coffee, fresh fruits, snacks, juices, soft drinks, and water will be provided.

Safari Attire & Necessities

  • Attire of earthly coloured garments are recommended during the safari.

  • Please carry sunscreen, insect repellent creams etc.

  • Please note that Sri Lanka’s weather is affected by many factors like depressions in the Indian Ocean. The weather can change suddenly.

Value Additions – 2 nights or more

  • Night walks and walks along the borderlands, depending on the locations.

013Campsite/Lounge/Common Area

  • Special dinner settings in the camp are arranged. Each meal will be given at a carefully selected location with a unique illuminated setting.

  • Snacks are provided at the lounge/common area.

  • Emergency phones are provided per tent (on signal availability).

  • Limited opportunities for charging Laptop and digital camera charging . Clients are advised to have stand by options

Please Note

  • We do not provide swimming pool facilities.

  • No air-condoning facility available.

  • Phone signal availability – subject to the area and the service provider

 

 

Wildlife safaris at the Gal Oya National Park Sri Lanka

PioneerLogoThe Gal Oya National Park is the only national park where it is possible to go on a boat safari in Sri Lanka. Wildlife viewing from the boat is for the various islands that dot the Senanayake Samudra (Reservoir).

 

 

History and Description of the Gal Oya National Park Sri Lanka

gal oya park

The Gal Oya National Park situated in Sri Lanka's South Eastern Province was established in 1954 by the Gal Oya Development Board. Its primary function is to protect the catchment area of the vast Senanayake Samudra. It was subsequently handed over to the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1965. This Reservoir is the lake which holds the largest amount of water in Sri Lanka.

The Buddhangala Sanctuary which is one of the four protected areas that make up the Gal Oya National Park has ruins of a dagoba and other buildings dating back to the 2nd Century BC. It is believed that Lord Buddha visited here during his last time in Sri Lanka. In the hilly country to the West of the Park was one of the last strongholds of Sri Lanka's indigenous tribes, the Veddas.

 
Flora and fauna at the Gal Oya National Park

The Gal Oya National Park is rich in both flora and fauna. About 45 percent of the Park is covered by evergreen forest and a further 33 percent is taken up by savannah areas. The 25,900 hectare Park has about 32 species of mammals including the Common Langur, the endemic Toque Macaque, Sri Lankan leopards, Sri Lankan sloth bears, Sri Lankan elephants, wild boar, water buffalo and three species of deer.

The Park has just three distinct types of flora - forest, shrub and grasslands. There is a substantial area of both low lying savanna grasslands called Thalawa, and mountainous grasslands called Pathana. Three rare types of Ayurvedic plants can be found growing in Gal Oya. The Park has three mountains within its boundaries namely Danigala, Nilgala and Ulpotha - the highest peak reaching 900 metres.

Encompassing four protected areas, Gal Oya is Sri Lanka's only National Park where it is possible to experience a Boat Safari. The vast Senanayake Samudra is dotted with many small islands which are home to an incredible diversity of bird species; including Sri Lanka's largest bird the Lesser Adjutant and the Red Faced Malkoha.

There are 150 of Sri Lanka's 430 recorded bird species resident here."Kurulu Dupatha" or Birds Island is home to a great number of birds nesting in the forest and in the rocky outcrops on higher ground.

A highlight here is the elephants that can be seen swimming from one island to another. This 'crossing' has to be observed very carefully as elephants are very vulnerable when they are swimming and can even drown if boats come too close.

 

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Explorer by Mahoora

Private Tented Safari Camp Experience in Gal Oya National Park

2 Nights /3 Days

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B E S T   R A T E S   G U A R A N T E E D !

 

Much more than just a great place to stay

"Thanks to our guide Avinka we had five great safaris staying four nights just after reopening this February. The staff made us feel so very welcome during the entire stay.

The safaries are just wonderful, and having a great guide in your vehicle makes a big difference. Avinka can spot animals you would never see and we were even lucky enough to sight leopards on the trees, close to our vehicle, and also running through the field. The wildlife is so exciting that you will have a great experience even if you don‘t see any leopards. We also had a great driver, which is essential if you drive through difficult territory. You are being taken care of the entire time, so even for those who do safaris for the first time, you will always feel safe.

The camp itself is very comfortable, you get everything you can think of, and on top of the great food being served with so much attention and friendliness. You also get wonderful vegetarian and vegan options. They put on bonfires at night, which makes it unforgettable.
When booking and making plans, you get great support from the headquarters, even if it gets difficult since you have to change your plans.
The best thing what can happen to you at the end of a vacation is when you are a bit sad to leave the place, having experienced something to remember forever, and the team does everything for this to happen. Thank you so much"

Axel S wrote, Traveled with family
January 2021

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