Name & Location:   Wild Glamping Gal Oya @ Rathugala, Sri Lanka 

Built-up area: 1726 Sq.m

Description of Project: 

Wild Glamping Gal Oya is a semi-permanent luxury camping site that includes 03 spacious wooden tented camps for families with attached bathrooms, 07 double tented camps with attached bathrooms, an authentic linear restaurant with a curve-shaped bar and an infinity swimming pool. It is located in a 30-acre good practice agricultural farm in the Galoya Valley at Rathugala, in the Monaragala District of the Uva Province, Sri Lanka. The primary aim of the project is to improve & enhance the quality of agriculture based eco-tourism and eco-cultural tourism in Sri Lanka through a sustainable architectural approach and the property has focused on the triple bottom lines of people, plant and profits through each of these. The campsite significantly provides a unique and an out of the ordinary wild camping experience in Sri Lanka.

Materials of Construction Details:

Locally available building materials such as earth brick for walls, mud & clay for walls and floor, illuk grass and cadjan for roof were used in innovative ways for the entire building complex that inspires sustainable construction. In an effort to minimize the negative effects of illicit deforestation in the area, all timber required for columns and roof of the project were sourced from State Timber Corporation of Si Lanka.

Environmental approach – The entire campsite was designed to make maximum use of the views of the surrounding there by offering Guests spectacular sceneries of mountains and savanna forests that merge with the nature. In addition to being one with nature in its esthetics, the resort also actively contributes towards the planetary goals of sustainability through its various actions. 

The resort contributes to energy saving through the usage of natural light and ventilation for its tented camps and the open restaurant throughout the day. Solar panels placed on each of the tents produce a large amount of electricity for lighting and hot water, is one of the most significant features of the property as well as it reduces pollution emissions. The organic cultivations surrounding the property utilize a drip irrigation system that provides a 60% saving on water usage. Grey water generated at the property is systematically recycled to reuse for sanitary purposes (for water closets). The resort promotes ‘green and blue concepts’ and have created manmade lakes/ irrigation water bodies and observation huts for travelers to enjoy the tranquility of nature. Furthermore, Good agricultural Practices (GAP) is used that helps promote sustainable agriculture and contributes to meeting national and international environmental and social developmental objectives as well its social dimension would be to protect the agricultural workers’ health from improper use of chemicals and pesticides.

Economic Approach – Wild Glamping Gal Oya is nestled in a rural, under privileged area home to Sri Lanka’s indigenous people. One of the main aims of the project is to uplift the living standards of the indigenous (Vedda) community through the promotion of agro based eco-tourism. They are given the opportunity to join the project during its construction stages and in the agricultural land development, which leads to the boosting of the local economy. 

The management also intends to build a ‘harvest collection center’, that allows local dwellers, who are daily wage earners and merchandisers to sell their own products (vegetables, fruits, honey etc.) for a reasonable price.

Social Approach – Wild Glamping Gal Oya is a community-based project that acts as a knowledge sharing center and gives guests visiting the property to get a glimpse of Sri Lankan cultural beliefs and customs, eco systems and other related areas. Traditional labor craftsmanship, which creates a strong social bond within the area, was used for construction with our experts and new technology. Additionally, the property has employed 95 percent of the required staff from the neighboring indigenous community. They have been given the opportunity to get involved in the project’s construction stages then thereafter in agricultural land development (social and economic inclusion). 

This region is very popular for its wildlife famous boat ride on Senanayake Reservoir, a prominent place to spot elephants. Some of the other experiences include jeep safaris to Nilgala or Hathpotha, treks into the jungle of Rathugala and Nilgala and visiting archaeological sites like Rajagala temple, river bathing and bush walks. In conclusion, the campsite significantly provides a unique and an out of the ordinary wild camping experience in Sri Lanka.