Galkadawala is an example of real eco-tourism in Sri Lanka. It invites travelers to leave the tourist path and enter a lively forest ecosystem. Galkadawala is near Habarana, which’s a central place for travel. This special place centered around a forest lodge that built with care on land that was once used for farming but was not good for it anymore.
The real magic of here is not about the beautiful buildings and the green surroundings. Galkadawala is really about a way of living that is easy on the earth. This way of living is very different from what people think of as a luxury vacation. When you are at Galkadawala you are asked to slow down and live in tune with nature. You can spend your time reading on the decks or talking to the people who made Galkadawala.
It tries hard to not make any waste and to a part of the community. They get their food from farmers who live close by and they hire people from the nearby villages to work at the lodge. This way of doing things makes you feel like you are really a part of Sri Lankan culture. You are not a tourist who is paying to stay there. You are a person who is taking care of the forest. This makes your stay, at Galkadawala feel very meaningful and connected to the earth. Galkadawala and the people who work there want you to feel this way.
Over time people worked hard to bring back the forest and make it a lush and vibrant place that fits in with the surrounding area. The buildings here are an example of sustainable design. They are made mostly from materials like recycled things, old wood and railway sleepers. The open structures are made on purpose without air conditioning or TVs. This lets the cool forest air move around naturally. Helps guests really connect with nature.
The best thing about visiting Galkadawala is that it is a place for animals and a great base for learning about culture. Because Galkadawala has a lake that is there sometimes it gets a lot of different kinds of animals. There are over one hundred kinds of birds, monkeys and butterflies of all colors. You can even see elephants near the forest edge from a wooden deck. Galkadawala is also near cultural sites like the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the old ruins of Polonnaruwa and the Minneriya National Park.
