This sites operated by the Forest Department is a mesmerizing place to spend a holiday at. Situated on the bank of the Ekgal oya reservoir, it has a breathtaking view and provides the ideal calm and quiet getaway.
It has several sleeping options such as Tree houses, rock caves with bunks and cabins built on top of rocks. It can accommodate 20 people, additional persons cost 1000 each (this is at the time of our visit, this could change in the future)
Where is this Ekgal Oya ?
At first we were confused about this place and visited the Wild Life Department for bookings. However, we found out that the department of Wildlife operates only a bungalow near the site, and the Camp site is managed by the Forest department.
Ekgal Oya is easily confused with Gal Oya. The truth of the fact is that this is a smaller Reservoir about 22 Kilometers east of the Senanayaka Samudraya (which is a part of the Gal Oya national park) along the A25 road.
Now there is a good possibility that when you visit the Forest Department in Battaramulla (Ethul Kotte) they'd ask you to go to Ampara office to make the booking. However, as informed to us by officials at Ekgal oya they can make the call from Colombo to the said Ampara office and facilitate the booking. So if you visit the Forest Dept regarding this try asking them about that possibility.
There is a paddling boat, another raft and some other contraption that floats which is all at your disposal. So are the Life Jackets and Tires. So please make sure u wear the life jackets b4 you set out paddling or going too far deep into the lake since it's always a better precaution to use them since they are there.
The staff are very friendly and will assist you with what ever you need. There is a cook on site, you have to take your own supplies and hand them over.
Hint: Before you go, preferably the day before you go or early in the morning call them up and tell them to buy some fish. You can get lake fish and get them to prepare it for you. Better notify them early.
Traveling:
Turn off from the A25 road when you see this rock on the side of the road:
Now what'll sometimes throw you off track is the next sign:
If you go right as instructed here you would encounter a rocky road with more obstacles and you will have to park about 75 meters away from the site in the jungle. The reason they have shown this route is that the other route (which is to the left) gets flooded during rainy season. However, if it is not flooded it's a perfect route with less obstacles and better sceneries which allows you to take your vehicles right upto the site.
Mode of Travel: We traveled in 2 cars. A Caldina and a Civic ES8 and had no problems. Since the roads were not flooded we did not encounter much resistance. However, if your vehicle has low ground clearance be very careful. And also in rainy season it could get muddy. But you may have the option to park at the office which is very close to the main road if the road up to the site is not good.
-- Have all the fun you desire, but please treat places like this with respect. Don't litter, throw polythene and harm the environment --
It has several sleeping options such as Tree houses, rock caves with bunks and cabins built on top of rocks. It can accommodate 20 people, additional persons cost 1000 each (this is at the time of our visit, this could change in the future)
Where is this Ekgal Oya ?
At first we were confused about this place and visited the Wild Life Department for bookings. However, we found out that the department of Wildlife operates only a bungalow near the site, and the Camp site is managed by the Forest department.
Ekgal Oya is easily confused with Gal Oya. The truth of the fact is that this is a smaller Reservoir about 22 Kilometers east of the Senanayaka Samudraya (which is a part of the Gal Oya national park) along the A25 road.
Now there is a good possibility that when you visit the Forest Department in Battaramulla (Ethul Kotte) they'd ask you to go to Ampara office to make the booking. However, as informed to us by officials at Ekgal oya they can make the call from Colombo to the said Ampara office and facilitate the booking. So if you visit the Forest Dept regarding this try asking them about that possibility.
There is a paddling boat, another raft and some other contraption that floats which is all at your disposal. So are the Life Jackets and Tires. So please make sure u wear the life jackets b4 you set out paddling or going too far deep into the lake since it's always a better precaution to use them since they are there.The staff are very friendly and will assist you with what ever you need. There is a cook on site, you have to take your own supplies and hand them over.
Hint: Before you go, preferably the day before you go or early in the morning call them up and tell them to buy some fish. You can get lake fish and get them to prepare it for you. Better notify them early.
Traveling:
Turn off from the A25 road when you see this rock on the side of the road:
Now what'll sometimes throw you off track is the next sign:
If you go right as instructed here you would encounter a rocky road with more obstacles and you will have to park about 75 meters away from the site in the jungle. The reason they have shown this route is that the other route (which is to the left) gets flooded during rainy season. However, if it is not flooded it's a perfect route with less obstacles and better sceneries which allows you to take your vehicles right upto the site.
Mode of Travel: We traveled in 2 cars. A Caldina and a Civic ES8 and had no problems. Since the roads were not flooded we did not encounter much resistance. However, if your vehicle has low ground clearance be very careful. And also in rainy season it could get muddy. But you may have the option to park at the office which is very close to the main road if the road up to the site is not good.
-- Have all the fun you desire, but please treat places like this with respect. Don't litter, throw polythene and harm the environment --
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