It might not be the first place that springs to mind when planning a safari, but a stay at one of the best safari hotels in Sri Lanka might just change your mind. It’s one of the planet's most exciting biodiversity hotspots, and as such, Sri Lanka mesmerises with its variety of dizzying ecosystems, staggeringly high concentration of endemic plant, animal and bird species, as well as an impressive 26 national parks, all packed into a country roughly the size of Ireland. As well as the swathes of emerald green tea plantations that blanket the highlands, vibrant must-visit cities like Jaffna and Colombo, and ancient kingdoms that hold long-lost secrets within hand-carved temples, it’s likely that a game drive or safari will make an appearance on a well-crafted Sri Lankan itinerary .
Having visited an array of Sri Lanka’s national parks, from atmospheric Yala, which impresses regardless of sightings, and the bumpy, dusty red tracks of Wilpattu, to world-famous Minneriya, where hundreds of Asian elephants gather each summer, I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced 13 safaris, each of which has impressed in different ways. Dreamy Airbnbs and some of the best hotels in Sri Lanka can be found in close proximity to many of the more popular national parks, yet not all offer game drives, expert trackers, and the knowledge that comes with having grown up in such diverse and majestic landscapes. For respectful, memorable and well-curated trips into the island’s treasured landscapes, these are the best safari hotels in Sri Lanka right now.
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From the translucent ripples of Taru Villas Villu’s private plunge pools, a faint call to prayer can often be heard drifting dreamily into earshot, mingling with the low trill of neon-green frogs, under a wash of bronze sky as the sun sinks lazily into the bush. Lazy afternoons spent wrapped in 10 acres of scenic nature at the hotel’s secluded grounds are the ideal tonic to the 5am wake-up calls that mark the beginning of a bumpy game drive through Sri Lanka’s largest national park, Wilpattu. After monsoonal downpours, the indescribably beautiful park, which encompasses sand dunes, mirror-shine water bodies, and bright red-dirt tracks, smells fresh and earthy with delicate kora-kaha (blue mist flowers) clinging to low scrubland bushes, emitting a fragrance so whimsically delicate it’s impossible not to be enamoured. Elsewhere, dried-up lion’s ear plants, typically brewed into medicinal tea, and snowberry bushes add to the cinematic feel of the park where leopards prowl, and Asian paradise flycatchers flit alongside white rumped shamas.
In close proximity to the lesser-used Eluvankulama entrance of the park, Taru Villas Villu is an architectural marvel comprising just seven luxurious chalets where nature is celebrated at every turn. Bedrooms are spacious with well-placed mirrors and windows from where the natural world can be seen from every angle - a concept used frequently by the late Geoffrey Bawa (Sri Lanka’s best-loved architect, known for his tropical modernism aesthetic). Bathrooms feature double vanities and deep-soak bathtubs big enough for two, as well as some of the most incredible bath products, fragranced with cinnamon and orange essential oils.
A twice-weekly barbecue, served on an above-river outdoor deck from where elephants can occasionally be seen, is a highlight. And it’s worth leaving the chalet’s drapes open at night to watch hundreds of fireflies put on a show by the pool, and later be transfixed by the open expanse of sky as it becomes aglow with the silvery twinkling stars of the Milky Way.
Address: 635/1, Eluwankulama, Wilpattu, Sri Lanka
Moments from the entrance gate of Yala National Park block one (the park is split into six blocks), Wild Coast Tented Lodge is one of the country’s finest places to stay and safari. The pleasing cocooned structures that make up the hotel’s restaurant and bedrooms blend seamlessly into rugged beach backed by jungle, where land monitors and Sri Lankan jungle fowl roam freely. From bedrooms featuring copper roll top bathtubs or private plunge pools, guests can watch troupes of grey langurs bounce through treetops, fluffy squirrels scurrying along sun decks and all manner of colourful birdlife trilling and dancing amidst the dense canopies of green above.
One half-day game drive is included for every night booked at Wild Coast, ensuring optimal chances of spotting the leopards that block one is so well known for. Having visited this particular block a handful of times, I had a beautiful leopard spotting experience during a morning game drive with Wild Coast’s resident naturalist, Thilanka Bodhikotuwa, where we observed a curious male leopard known as Suba. Elsewhere, we spied emerald doves, black wing stilt birds, a dazzling white throated kingfisher and a couple of prehistoric-looking mugger crocodiles, as well as a few sturdy elephants that never fail to put a smile on my face. Back at the lodgings, complimentary coastal sundowners are provided each evening, alongside the flicker of open flames and a soundtrack of Yala’s intense crashing waves on the beach below.
Address: Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Palatupana, Yala, Sri Lanka
Encapsulating wetlands, thorn forest, shallow lagoons, and Kudumbigala Sanctuary (known for its tens of thousands of migratory birds), Kumana National Park is a true delight for both bird watchers and wildlife obsessives. Jetwing Surf and Safari arranges informative game drives from the beachside town of Potuvil, where the hotel takes up a prime beachfront position amongst rustling palmyrah trees on the eastern coast of the island. For my drive, we happened upon eight elephants, two dancing peacocks, plenty of rowdy langurs, lazing crocodiles and water buffaloes, as well as a dozing leopard – its back legs dangling over a smooth rock showing off soft paws not unlike a domestic cat’s. But it’s also possible to spot a range of endemic birds in this part of the country, with the red-faced malkoha, acid-green hanging parrot and brown-capped babbler all drawing keen ornithologists.
As an eco-hotel with strong sustainability ethics, Jetwing Surf and Safari is composed of circular wooden cabanas with thatched iluk roofing, yet is luxurious and calm, even more so since sunrise can be viewed from nearly any area of the hotel’s grounds. Cows wander the beach each morning, delicious Sri Lankan dishes are whipped up to be enjoyed al fresco, and for anyone hankering after another safari experience, the hotel’s tuk-tuk safari is also really good fun.
Address: Jetwing Surf and Safari, Kottukal Road, Pottuvil, Sri Lanka
With just four bedrooms, this charming hideout, close to the pilgrimage town of Kataragama, will appeal to travellers looking for solitude, immaculate service and a safari experience away from the obvious. The boutique hotel whisks guests into the little-visited block five of Yala, through the Galge entrance, where fewer tourists wander, and the lack of phone signal ensures a fully present experience amongst Sri Lanka’s glorious wilds. During my afternoon game drive with knowledgeable Avijja Fonseka, we were lucky enough to spot a sleepy leopard relaxing on a grassy knoll. After observing the charming cat roll and stretch for close to an hour, it sauntered away into the bush, unaware of the jeep of peering tourists hanging on its every move. We also spotted plenty of elephants on the drive back to the hotel, including a group of youngsters delicately kicking up grass before wrapping it gently into their mouths with strong curling trunks.
The Warden’s House itself is also a haven for wildlife, with the fast-running Menik River mere moments from the grounds and a large swimming pool from where to linger and observe baby-blue hued dragonflies hover above. The food is also some of the best in the country in terms of hotel restaurants - be sure to try the string hoppers with pol sambol and chicken curry.
Address: The Warden's House, Dambe Road, Kataragama, Sri Lanka
As the first and only wildlife resort under the Hilton brand, I was sceptical as to how a chain known for its city builds would work as a safari hotel, yet five minutes into check-in, and chatting with head ranger Sajith Withanage, I was impressed beyond measure. Having explored the wilds of Yala National Park since he was a child, followed by a jaunt and training in South Africa, there’s not much Sajith doesn’t know about Sri Lanka’s wildlife. And it was with his expert guidance that I not only got my first-ever glimpse of a rain-soaked sloth bear and Russell’s Viper but also witnessed the most incredible leopard sighting when an exquisitely coated feline strolled, sat and yawned right beside our customised jeep (modified especially for wildlife photographers). But it's not only the big creatures he champions. The chatty naturalist also loves to discuss the lesser talked about wildlife and flora of the island, from his favourite Malabar Pied Hornbills, who mate for life, to the dung beetles that utilise elephant droppings to feed their young. Regardless of sightings, his knowledge is infectious, which is why he’s currently leading a training programme to empower and support upcoming young guides.
And the hotel itself impresses equally with local granite-wrapped villas and suites set against an intriguing Jurassic Park-style jungle where freshwater crocodiles, rat snakes, and elephants hide. A colour palette of safari shades decorates room interiors, with ground-level villas offering private plunge pools, and upper-level rooms boasting comforting jacuzzis. Staff are dazzlingly helpful, and a standout mention must also go to executive chef Jerome Tissera, whose creative menu is the best I’ve experienced across any safari hotel in Sri Lanka. Look out for the Sri Lankan breakfast tasting plate, Jaffna-inspired crab curry, and the ‘Hopper x Benny’, a Sri Lankan take on eggs Benedict featuring curry leaf hollandaise sauce.
Address: Palatupana, Yala, Sri Lanka
With numerous sustainability awards, this eco-conscious hideaway is one of the most unique and sustainable safari experiences in Sri Lanka and the only luxury camp on the island that’s 100 per cent solar-powered (even during the rainy season). Nestled in the buffer zone jungles, close to Yala block one’s Katagamuwa entrance and only 45 minutes from the rarely visited blocks three and four, the camp features seven tents, each with a private plunge pool and simple yet elegant decor. Fusing a rugged camp experience with all the trappings of a luxury stay, guests can expect cosy campfire nights under the stars, home-cooked cuisine, safari vehicles customised especially for keen photographers and a library stacked with informative wildlife books.
Yet, what really sets Ceylon Wild Safaris apart from other properties surrounding Yala National Park is its commitment to conservation and its mission to reforest the buffer zone jungles that make this area so unique. As well as educating and inviting overseas guests to be part of their rewilding process, the camp often hosts students from nearby local towns and villages to teach them about Yala’s precious ecosystem and the flora, fauna that flourish within it.
Address: Situlpawwa Road, Kataragama, Sri Lanka
The ideal option for anyone travelling in a group or with a large family, this breezy property offers well-sized bedrooms at comfortable pricing, as well as game drives to both Yala and Bundala National Parks, the latter of which is a wildlife sanctuary with over 197 species of birds. But like many of Sri Lanka’s best safari hotels, wildlife is often spotted on the hotel grounds itself – during my last stay, sweet-faced cows grazed on the grass by the pool, grey langurs jostled in trees keeping an eye on the nearby but inaccessible breakfast buffet, and an inquisitive grizzled giant squirrel lolloped in a neem tree. There’s even a bright yellow warning sign on the walk through low bushes to the beach, advising caution due to roaming elephants.
Many bedrooms feature open-celling bathrooms, four-poster beds and expansive terraces, some of which have sublime ocean views. Dining is a buffet-style affair, which can often be disappointing in large-scale hotels, yet Jetwing Yala manages the perfect mix of delicious local fare with well-prepared Western and Indian elements. Look out for the heavy terracotta pots filled with buffalo curd, a thick, more tangy, slightly sour version of plain yoghurt. It’s in this part of Sri Lanka where you can sample the freshest and tastiest, since the area teems with both domestic and wild buffalo.
Address: Jetwing Yala, Palatupana, Kirinda, Sri Lanka
Proving that every jaunt into the jungle provides a wildly different experience, it was during a safari with Uga Chena Huts’ wildlife pros that showed me the darker side of nature. During one particularly action-packed game drive, where the afternoon colours of Yala astounded me at every turn, our jeep came across an eagle on the sandy track ahead, attempting to consume a thin, pale green snake. Then later, just before we exited the park at dusk, a pretty spotted deer, almost completely submerged, was being held under khaki-coloured water, and about to be consumed by a mugger crocodile. Needless to say, we didn’t wait to see the chaos. While leopards and bears were not to be seen during that particular sojourn, it was nonetheless dramatic and equally memorable.
Back at the hotel, Uga’s luxury cabins are nestled amongst a sprawl of coastal jungle, with each boasting a private plunge pool, as well as a larger pool at the resort’s centre. Spanning nine acres, wildlife, including elephants, have been known to wander directly into the hotel grounds, so it’s worth avoiding walking alone at night – no matter how adorable they look, coming face to face with a four-ton elephant is never a good idea. The ideal tonic to a bumpy game drive, massage treatments are well-priced and can be taken privately on sun terraces beside suites, while Uga’s version of a G&T will loosen muscles even further.
Address: Tala-Palatupana, Wildlife Tourism Zone, Yala, Sri Lanka
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