A Walk on the Wild Side in Sri Lanka

This family-friendly, adventurous river camp can be found on top of a hill overlooking the Kelani River. Surrounded by mountains and fast-flowing rapids, Borderlands river base camp offers a comfortable stay in a natural setting, for a more refined camping experience.  Wooden cabins with thatched roofs will keep you dry as you rest on top-quality linen, double or single beds with bedside tables and lamps, as well as on your private terrace, providing spectacular views overlooking the Kelani. All tents and cabins come with mosquito nets, and are spacious enough to sleep three to five people. Nighttime entertainment can be found at the camp’s Long House, equipped with a modern sound system, informal bar and a comfortable, cushioned seating area. High speed WiFi is also available at all times. Dig into some delicious Sri Lankan curries, refresh yourself with a nice cold beer and share stories in the great company of fellow guests, as you roast marshmallows around a camp fire. Kayaks and rafts will enable action-packed days along the stunning Kelani River.

The former residence of Sir Edward Barnes, Governor of Sri Lanka from 1830 to 1850, the Grand Hotel is a Tudor-style mansion set amidst boxwood and fir trees overlooking the calm waters of Lake Gregory. Hunting and fishing trophies decorate the walls, infusing the property with the tranquility of times past. The hotel has 156 elegantly furnished rooms including three presidential suites and three deluxe suites that overlook the property's magnificent, award-winning gardens filled with beautifully laid out flower beds. Rooms in the new golf wing overlook the golf course and present a soothing view of the rolling greens, and junior suites are equipped with fireplaces and well-appointed bathrooms. The main restaurant, Barnes Hall, is located on the ground floor of the hotel and overlooks the gardens, and offers a wide choice in both Western and Eastern cuisines. There is also a coffee shop, an Indian restaurant, supper club and three bars on the grounds. Other amenities include three lounges, a small shopping arcade, fitness center and sauna, spa, wood-paneled bar and billiard room with three tables. There is no Internet access at the hotel.

This environmentally-friendly four-star resort, covering seven acres of land, is an exclusive, one-of-a-kind resort in the north of Sri lanka. The resort offers 53 Deluxe and Superior rooms and four suites. With its magical flora and fauna that can be seen on- and off-site, it’s in a prime location, offering the perfect getaway for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Udawalawe National Park and Ath Athuru Sevana Elephant Orphanage are both within walking distance to make for exciting, action-packed days, while a picturesque swimming pool allows guest to relax in the warm sun, with excellent service at hand. Expect to dine in style at the hotel’s restaurant, which can can serve up to 250 guests at a time. The resort’s piece-de-resistance is its stunning free-form swimming pool, surrounded by loungers, and complete with adjoining bar. 

Set right on the coast in southern Sri Lanka, Chena Huts occupy seven acres of the rainforest and dunes beyond Yala National Park, so its 14 cabins are surrounded by unspoilt beauty and natural wonders. With the ocean on one side and the country’s oldest natural reserve on the other, to stay here is to utterly escape into nature. In thatched huts with private pools, guests will find a little oasis of comfort and convenience, where crisp bed linens and wifi come as standard and flamingos and storks wade in the lake nearby. Nautical-themed Basses restaurant offers fine dining on the beach or in romantic private locations, and the poolside bar serves cocktails from behind a waterfall. Guests seeking a little pampering during their stay in paradise can retreat to the spa for a range of indulgent treatments, to heighten the sense of peace and tranquility.

Returning to the golden era of colonial British safari explorers, Leopard Trails offers the jungle experience in comfort and luxury, as the intrepid adventurers of the 1800s enjoyed it. Romantic and elegant, their tented camps are located in two of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful national parks, Yala and Wilpattu. While the former is famed for its roaming leopards, the latter draws nature enthusiasts for its populations of deer, sloths, bears, elephants and a solid contingent of leopards of its own. A stay at Leopard Trails allows guests to retreat to their beautifully-appointed canvas safari tent at night, to emerge in the morning, well rested and right in the midst of glorious flora and fauna. Delicious meals, meanwhile, are cooked freshly and served al fresco for a complete sense of immersion in nature.

Adjacent the world famous Yala National Park that is home to a dense population of leopards lies the Wild Coast Tented Lodge Yala, overlooking the shimmering blue waters of the Indian Ocean. A consortium of Dutch, English and Sri Lankan designers devised the the resort's man-made structures that seamlessly blend into the surrounding landscape. The premises 28 tents form the shape of a leopard's paw print when seen from above. The room's interiors fuse colonial expedition chic with contemporary design innovations. Teak floors and canvas walls mixed with dark leathers and metallic hardware bring these rooms to the forefront of fashion while air-conditioning and Wi-Fi guarantee guests’ comfort. At the Dining Pavilion and natural beach garden, guests can enjoy gourmet safari cuisine with a Sri Lankan flair. The resort is also equipped with a free-form swimming pool and luxurious spa. The resort offers vehicular tours to the furthest corners of Yala National Park while expert naturalist guides are on hand to discuss all flora and fauna that emerges such as elephants, sloth bears, and leopards.

Leading the way in sustainable tourism for Sri Lanka, the Rainforest Eco Lodge sits on the edge of the country’s only natural World Heritage Site, the Sinharaja Rainforest. Guests can immerse themselves in the nature and mystic history of this glorious ecosystem, named for the legendary Lion Kings from whom the Sinhalese are supposedly descended. Consisting of 16 chalets, each built from reclaimed shipping containers based on the principles of ‘reduce, re-use and recycle’, the lodge combines responsible tourism with creativity and design, without compromising on luxury and comfort. Set in tea gardens, with stunning views of the rainforest, each room boasts its own private deck and en suite facilities. The restaurant at the lodge specializes in scrumptious cuisine prepared freshly, using organic ingredients. And of course, the expert staff can organize natural adventures for guests, including bird watching and jungle trekking.

In a haven of tranquility, hugging Sri Lanka’s immaculate western coast’s golden shoreline, lies Jetwing Beach, the winner of 2013 Certificate of Excellence and member to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. This lavish beach resort is one of Negombo’s finest hotels, offering a relaxing holiday in sophisticated comfort. Designed by one of Sri Lanka’s top architects, Geoffrey Bawa, this exquisite resort enables you to wind in hours of recreational beach fun, revitalize in invigorating spa wellness treatments, indulge in mouthwatering Sri Lankan dishes and rich international cuisine in one of several dining venues, and take advantage of the gorgeous swimming pool. Your day will always end on a high note, as you watch the stunning sun drop off the edge of the horizon, illuminating the sky into warm shades of pink, yellow, orange and red.