Galkadawala Forest Lodge, Habarana, Sri Lanka.
Save
Share
Galkadawala Palugaswewa, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
Lock in the lowest price from these sites
Prices above are provided by partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and do not include all taxes and fees. Please see our partners for full details.
Full view
View all photos (312)312
Room & Suite (51)
Dining (26)
About
#1 of 80 Specialty lodging in Habarana
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Travelers' Choice
Situated in an ancient agricultural village, Galkadawala Forest Lodge is in the centre of the Cultural Triangle close to historical sites Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Ritigala and Anuradhapura, and wildlife parks Minneriya, Kaudulla, Hurulu and Wilpattu. Galkadawala offers unique experiences of Heritage, Wildlife and Eco-friendly Construction. Once deforested, consumed and denuded this land has been transformed back to a vibrant ecological habitat. Surrounding irrigation lakes, waterways and forests with high biodiversity provide trekking, bird watching and relaxing. To maintain this complex ecological habitat, at Galkadawala, prominence and care is given to all creatures. Guests too should understand that they have arrived at a habitat that has to be shared by all. Galkadawala concept is not a "watering Hole" where one can "chill out" till the early hours. Retire early and be up early (be different for a few days) to get the full benefit of what Galkadawala has to offer.
Read more
Full view
Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Wifi
Free breakfast
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Mosquito net
Room types
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Hidden Gem
Romantic
Location
Full view
Contact
Galkadawala Palugaswewa, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
Getting there
Rental CarsSee all Habarana rental cars
208Reviews2Q+A22Room tips
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 173
- 26
- 3
- 3
- 3
Time of year
Traveler type
Language
More
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
LondonNefertiti wrote a review Sep 2020
Greater London, United Kingdom1,331 contributions254 helpful votes
+1
Difficult to write a review because it has all been said (Christina P has written the one that I would have written ) Try and go for an extra day and night and spend it at the lodge.....go kayaking on the lake, cycle. The best thing about this amazing place is the food. All freshly made and everybody sits down to eat together around a large table with Maulie. This was easily some of the best food we got to eat in Sri Lanka , we just didnt realise how special it was because it was only our second night in the country. Maulie and her team are very special indeed. Go there are tour all the sites, sleep in an amazing place, eat great food, meet new people, and join in a yoga class. We visited here a few months ago and had just returned to the UK as Covid 19 was happening During the last few months I have thought of this magical place often and though how wonderful it would be to be locked down in this paradise.…
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Maulie de Saram, General Manager at Galkadawala Forest Lodge, Habarana, Sri Lanka.
Responded Sep 5, 2020
Ooooh what a lovely review ! Thank you so much. You are too kind. I’m glad that you enjoyed your stay with us. The guests who stay at Galkadawala too are special people. I always say that I get the best of humanity. The staff and myself enjoy their company too. You too belong to this very special group. A group that makes the world a beautiful place. As you mentioned the lock down here was lovely to the extent that I was feeling guilty, that I’m at peace while the whole world was in turmoil. Please take care of yourself and be safe. May you be blessed with good health, peace and tranquility. Warm regards, Maulie
Read more
Every now and then on our travels we find the holy grail of accommodation: somewhere that is comfortable and beautiful and has everything we need but importantly which is created, owned and run by local people and protects the local environment. Maulie is a brilliant host and the food is cooked in an outdoor kitchen and you eat on the raised deck overlooking the forest and the pond with waterlilies. The meals are delicious and varied- we had rice and curry but also lots of other Sri Lankan foods including some different desserts. The rooms are big, our bed was huge- a four poster with a mosquito net canopy all round, and you feel like you’re in a treehouse. You wake up to the sun coming through the trees and vines and the sounds of hundreds of birds. The bathroom is partly open to the forest so it’s like you’re showering in the tree canopies. The room itself is treehouse style so some parts are open near the roof meaning you need to keep any food, medicines etc stored away in one of the boxes provided so as not to attract animals. Maulie worked with her extended family and local people to source recycled materials to build the accommodation (the windows in the cabins are from an old tea plantation house) and it makes it completely beautiful. She also explains how most places are built in beautiful landscapes, bringing tourists to fragile eco systems but Galkadawala was built in an area that was scrubland and over the years they have created a forest eco system. It’s next to a large lake which is beautiful to walk round in the early mornings (they also have kayaks you can use) and it’s a great location for visiting Sigiriya, local archeological sites, Dambulla etc and is close to Habarana train station. Maulie can arrange jeep safaris, tuk tuks or cars to get you to anywhere you want to visit. We had 3 nights there and it wasn’t enough. One day we visited Sigiriya etc and the second day we had an ayurvedic massage and then they arranged for a yoga instructor to visit Galkadawala in the afternoon. If you’re looking for somewhere that is genuinely eco, or you’re searching for terms like local accommodation, off the beaten track, sustainable, homestay etc then this is for you. Can’t recommend it enough and happy to answer any questions as I think places like this are hard to find.…
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Helpful
It was lovely to spend a few days at Galkandawala relaxing and enjoying the rich bird life. Its proximity to some of the historical sites meant that we were able to do some day trips and also have time to enjoy our surroundings. The meals were delicious and all the staff were very courteous. Maulie is also a gracious host and was always at hand to assist with information. Look forward to our next visit
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020
Helpful
My stay with Mauli, made me fall in love with Sri Lanka, The care and pace. Lovely meals. The space , it's great, all sorts of birds, monkeys, squirls. Comfortable beds, nice bathrooms. It's worth seaking out.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
What a wonderful experience we had with Maulie and her staff who could not have looked after us any better. Nothing was too much trouble. The Lodge is a little slice of heaven - all peace and tranquility amongst the trees and wildlife. Although the first night we where serenaded off to sleep by the amazing sounds of the forest which was just delightful. We only stayed 3 nights but would have loved it to have been longer and will definitely come back. I'm not a vegetarian but I found the food to be absolutely delicious as did my partner who is Sri Lankan and a foodie. We particularly enjoyed relaxing in what I called the loft overlooking the water and picking Maulie's brain on the history, culture and bird life of the region/country. This is not a 5 star resort with all the bells and whistles but I would say it is a 6 star wilderness retreat that is rustic and eclectic. If you want something different and to savour genuine Sri Lankan food of the highest order then I could not recommend this highly enough. Thanks Maulie for a great time and Thomas for escorting us on our walks. Bruce & Shanti.…
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Location
Service
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
$60 - $75 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Sri LankaNorth Central ProvinceHabarana
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Galkadawala Forest Lodge, Habarana, Sri Lanka.
Which popular attractions are close to Galkadawala Forest Lodge, Habarana, Sri Lanka.?
Nearby attractions include Dhilip De Alwis (3.8 miles) and Habarana Lake (4.0 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Galkadawala Forest Lodge, Habarana, Sri Lanka.?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Galkadawala Forest Lodge, Habarana, Sri Lanka.?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast and an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Is parking available at Galkadawala Forest Lodge, Habarana, Sri Lanka.?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Galkadawala Forest Lodge, Habarana, Sri Lanka.?
Conveniently located restaurants include Ran rasa Seafood Restaurant, Magic Food Restaurant Habarana, and Curry & Rice Habarana.
Are there any historical sites close to Galkadawala Forest Lodge, Habarana, Sri Lanka.?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Ritigala Forest Monastery (6.4 miles).