Whilst visiting Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park, we stayed at a campsite run by Ceylon Wild Safaris on an all-inclusive package. The six tents are luxurious, with a double bed, cream three-piece suite, coffee table and books, open hanging space with robes and safe, and lots of space. We also had AC, Wi-Fi and plenty of English style plug points. The solar generated electricity was automatically switched off when we left our tent, but we could have asked for it to be left on, if anything needed urgent charging.
The bathroom was covered but open, with double hand basins (which unfortunately attracted bird poo), loo and a large open shower area.
A wooden deck, with director style chairs and table, had a small, rather chilly plunge pool, complete with jets and lights. The view of trees and green bushes was pleasant, but not startling.
Bearing in mind the amount of surrounding space, we thought the tents were relatively close together, although screening offered privacy.
The open, thatched dining area served early morning tea and cake before game drives and, either a Sri Lankan style lunch and international dinner, or vice versa. One Sri Lankan meal included chicken curry, dhal, rice, aubergine and potato curries followed by buffalo curd and kithuli treacle, whilst we enjoyed an international dinner of BBQed meats, salads, and potatoes followed by crème caramel.
Pre-dinner drinks and nibbles were enjoyed in a more casual second area as we reflected on our day’s sightings.
As we visited in January 2022, visitor numbers to Sri Lanka were still low, and on our first night, we shared the camp with another couple, but had the entire place to ourselves on the second. It was a lovely gesture to find our table arranged in the garden, surrounded by oil lamps.
During our stay we enjoyed several game drives in Yala National Park and were delighted to spot leopard (see separate review).
