Ginganga Lodge

Staying here feels like living alongside the jungle, with outdoor bathrooms and wildlife all around. Monkeys wander past, and you might spot other animals too, so be ready for nature to be part of the stay. The food was very good. The team is thoughtful and accommodating. They’re available when you need them, but never make you feel overwhelmed. The owner and one team member spent a whole day showing us the area, which was a generous thing to do. We quickly felt at home and would gladly come back.

This was our third visit to Ginganga Lodge, and we usually stay at least ten days. This time we spent two weeks in a deluxe double room beside the main reception area. There’s a matching room next door, and the two rooms share a verandah. The room has Sri Lankan artefacts, an open shower, and natural eco toiletries. The jungle setting is peaceful, away from the bustle of Galle Fort, which is about a 15-minute tuk tuk ride away. You hear and see birds, including peacocks and peahens, hear langur monkeys howling, and may spot water and land monitor lizards. Indika, the owner, is hands-on, professional, engaging, and energetic. His passion is infectious, and transport to Galle Fort is easy, often with Indika driving his tuk tuk. The covered, open-plan reception and dining area has lots of artefacts that reflect Sri Lankan culture. The decor is tasteful throughout, and the place really feels Sri Lankan. Breakfast is made with fresh, quality ingredients, including a fruit platter, buffalo curd, cereal, fresh fruit, and the signature Sri Lankan breakfast. We ate there on four evenings too, enjoying grilled baby calamari and chicken curry with condiments. Special thanks to Mahir, Supun, and all the hard-working staff for another memorable stay.

The owner has such a warm, charismatic way about him that you feel at home, and you can see the care he puts into the details. We’ve loved this place more than anywhere else we’ve stayed so far. It’s a quiet oasis, and the food was outstanding, with every dish fresh and beautifully prepared. Everyone was kind, attentive, and welcoming. We’d recommend it without hesitation.

My experience with this property was very disappointing. I booked through Booking.com, then had to change my travel dates because my flights kept being rescheduled amid conflicts in the Middle East. I contacted the hotel to explain and asked for a partial refund or new dates. At first, I was told they would arrange a cancellation with a partial refund. Later, they offered March 13th-15th, which I accepted, understanding that they would keep only 25,000 LKR for one night if I couldn’t make it. When my flights changed again, I told them I couldn’t stay at all. I said they could keep the agreed 25,000 LKR, but asked them not to charge anything more. Instead, I was charged over 40,000 LKR: an earlier 17,835 LKR charge plus another 25,000 LKR. That was more than we had discussed and more than one night would have cost. When I asked why, the explanations didn’t match and weren’t clear. I was also told it would be difficult to refund my credit card and easier to send the money to a local bank account. That’s inconvenient for international travelers and didn’t give me confidence. The cancellation and payment process felt disorganized and unfair. I understand these things can be difficult for a small property, but charging more than agreed and making refunds unnecessarily complicated isn’t acceptable. I hope management improves the booking and refund process so others don’t run into the same problem.