Galkadawala Forest Lodge

Galkadawala Forest Lodge descritpion

Located in the heart of the Cultural Triangle, Galkadawala Forest Lodge offers comfortable accommodation set amidst lush greenery and agriculture. It operates a 24-hour front desk.
The property is within 2.5 miles from Palugaswewa Railway Station and Bus Station. Habarana Railway Station is accessible with a 6.2 miles drive, while Minneriya National Park and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lion Rock, Sigiriya are 12.4 miles away.
Offering views of Galkadawala Lake, the fan-cooled rooms come with a mosquito net, wardrobe and seating area. All rooms include an attached bathroom equipped with shower facility and free toiletries.
At Galkadawala Forest Lodge, guests can approach the friendly staff for car rental services, hiking activities and sightseeing arrangements. Luggage storage, currency exchange and laundry services are available for guests’ convenience.
The property serves a tasty spread of Sri Lankan vegetarian dishes upon request.

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Facilities of Galkadawala Forest Lodge

Outdoors ：Grounds | Terrace

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Activities ：Hiking | Library

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

Reviews for Galkadawala Forest Lodge

Review 1：The road leading to the lodge is quite rough and takes almost half an hour each way so if you want to just visit all the sights in the cultural triangle in the most efficient way and not spend some time enjoying the lodge and its surroundings this might not be your place.

Review 2：This is a very special place in the midst of a tropical forest, miles away from any civilization disturbances. The two residential pavillons and our room inside were beautifully designed and have a certain luxury feel that we didnt expect at the room rate. The architecture feels perfectly fit for the surroundings and when on the bed, surrounded by windows on three sides, you feel in the midst of nature on a treehouse, which is in fact true as the room is not sealed and some animals like small geckos, frogs and bats will visit the room (we slept undisturbed under a mosquito net) also keeping the insect numbers low. With all the sounds of birds, frogs and monkeys it feels like a real safari experience. We very much liked the dinners, as all the guests sit with Maulee, the owner, at one long table, leading to lively and interesting discussions with guests from all around the world. The vegetarian, freshly cooked local food was excellent, some of the best of our trip (you get curries for both dinner and breakfast which may sound unusual but was perfectly fine for us, together with the fresh fruits.) There is also a different fresh fruit juice every time, some with very unusual but mostly delicious tastes. Maulee was a very nice host and and as the whole staff very friendly and helpful. We felt this place might not be for everyone, but people who value atmosphere, nature and meeting interesting people before classical "luxury" amenities like AC and TV will love the lodge as we did.

Review 3：Everything!! Mouli has created a paradise in nature. There was so much thought put into every little thing..from food, rooms, high speed WiFi. A perfect retreat!!

Review 4：It's vegetarian, thogugh noboby adviced us of that. You cannot choose neither what you want from breakfast nor what you want for dinner. Dinner there is mandatory and with other guests of the house, no matter if you prefer to dine outside or to have dinner alone or later, you are charged for it and obliged to have it altogether and at a fixed schedule. Rooms with walls open, so no privacy at all and a lot of insects and other animals (frogs, monkeys) may enter your room.

Review 5：Original building in the midle of the forest

Review 6：the road to the hotel is a challenge but the lodge is definitely worth the trip!

Review 7：friendly staff with a good kwowledge of english and the local fauna/flora, well prepared local vegetarian food, amazing surroundings and comfortable retreat in the middle of the 'jungle', fireflies <3, cosy dinners enjoyed by all the guests together at one big table

Review 8：Amazing place and experience of living and interacting with the nature. Very good food and attentive staff. We enjoyed eating breakfast and dinner with the other guests and exchanging experience/impressions of the sites visited.

Review 9：Oh my god ! , this eco lodge is really fantastic ! It's in the middle of nature, quiet, 2 beautiful tree-houses and a very friendly staff. we had booked only 2 nights. Too short ofcourse. Should have been more.

Review 10：Poor roads in - can be slow, painful going if you're in the wrong sort of car You're staying in a jungle: if you're freaked out by insects or unfamiliar noises, it won't be for you

Review 11：Great, non-stopping food at every meal Amazing isolation & tranquility: see the brightness of the stars, hear the animals and explore the nearby reservoir by damn light Gorgeously designed lodges and rooms, with sitting out areas and communal dining for the small number of guests

Review 12：The soundscape while sleeping was amazing. It was a very peaceful place to stay and get away from everything while still being close to the attractions in the cultural triangle. The food there was the best we had during our 3 week trip. The familly style dining was an excellent way to get to know Maulie (the owner) and other travelers and compare notes on the best places to go. The staff and Maulie were very attentive and personable. Maulie has done a great job creating a peaceful space within nature for others to share. We loved staying there and are planning on going back and spending more than just 3 days at Galkadawala next time.

Review 13：We didn't mind, but some people might find the slow track to get there a bit enduring, it is worth it though! This place is for broad and independent minded people!

Review 14：All of it! Take your time to relax, go for walks, watch the birds, monkeys and other wildlife, soak up the sounds and watch the fireflies. The food is freshly cooked and delicious. Not to be missed!

Review 15：There was no internet which the booking promised. We lost 3 hours one day & a hour and a half on another day trying to locate an internet cafe. The rate quoted on the booking & the final price charged were different & there were no toiletries provided. The owner while very pleasant over the phone before we got there was quite unwilling to listen or acknowledge the lapses.

Review 16：I liked the fact that it was a diffebt experience. There is something to be said for living in the middle of the wilderness. The kids were both terrified & intrigued by the bugs on their beds & the raging thunder storm seen through the all glass walls. The cook was really good. He was a very pleasant person & ensured that kids' meals were spice free yet tasty.

Review 17：The noise- the jungle is a noisy place and takes some getting used to- it is a personal preference but I prefer to shut out the creatures, bugs .... but as it is open to the elements anything can wander in. We did have a number of storms in the afternoon with heavy rain so the bed and sheets etc did get damp, but there is no control of outside elements A long way from the main road which is both a postive and negative depends on your personal veiw point- the track to the road is rough and pot holed- transport costs generally in Sri Lanka are quite pricey!

Review 18：It was a truly memorable experience we had never stayed anywhere like it in the world so far. The food was exellent and all of the staff were lovely and friendly. you are definitely in the wilderness and at one with nature, but still with modern conveniences. It is amazing and unique!!

Review 19：Was relatively pricey for what it was, that said I would still recommend it as it is something quite different

Review 20：Quiet lodge set well away from everything in the bush. Staff were excellent, food was a delight and was very peaceful and relaxing. I would suggest that those travellers looking for luxury and comfort should stick to big hotels, but for the adventurous traveller this was a delight.

Review 21：The owner is an ageist who discriminates against local sri lankans as she obviously wants to only be hospitable towards the White people. She acted like a headmistress of a boarding school not flexible and was rude to me and my parents. And lied to her guest saying I was watching tv all day to justify her action of banging on my door at nighty rudely demanding me to turn off my show I was watching on my lap top was on Volume 15/100. She refused to give me lunch the next day asking me and my parents to leave the premises to find lunch and did not even offer any assistance. But she obviously bends over backwards to entertain her White Foreign guests. I will never again support an establishment that discriminates against the young and locals of Sri Lanka. Good luck to her running a business with that kind of attitude.

Review 22：Beautiful location a getaway to nature and a safe spot to locate animals in the wilderness

Review 23：Was quiet sick after staying here and going by noises coming from other rooms so were others. No privacy. Food was an added cost yet this was never mentioned before being charged. Nice concept, very overpriced.

Review 24：Fabulous ecolodge. As it should be Dreamy location and warm staff Time for contemplation on nature herself

Review 25：The windows in the room weren't closed off to the outside.

Review 26：Staff, jungle experience and delicious home cooked food. Ginger tea!

Review 27：It turned very cold during the night and there were no blankets available. We asked for them the next day but they still weren't there at night so we had to put all of our cloths on and didnt sleep well at all. In contrary to what it says on Booking.com there is no internet connection (not that we needed it, it's a nature stay, but maybe good to know). Overall we had a unique stay in our wonderful forest room with delicious food but the price could have been much lower.

Review 28：To start with the best of this wonderful place: most delicious food of Sri Lanka! The staff is great, despite the very little english they speak they are always willing to help and serve you in a perfect way. The lodge is absolutely beautiful, spacious and clean, pure magic in the middle of a forest near a pretty lake. You go to sleep white fire flies on your ceiling and wake up with the sound of insects, birds, monkeys and maybe even elephants... Perfect for a 2 night stay

Review 29：The jungle animals might wake you up but hey it's a jungle lodge!!!

Review 30：This was an awesome place to stay while visiting the ancient cities in sirigiya, anurandpura, and polonerwa. It's a bit off the beaten path and the street to get to it literally is a beaten path but it's a lovely place to stay, great food, and the owner maulie is a very nice host.

The Fine Print

Please note that the property serves only vegetarian dishes.