Renowned for its dense leopard population, the Yala National Park in south-eastern Sri Lanka is a must-visit destination that should be on any wildlife enthusiast’s bucket list. Add to that a spectacular luxury tented resort located adjacent to the park, and you have all the trappings of a vacation worth its weight in gold.
Situated in a mesmerising location where the jungle meets a pristine beach, overlooking the blue waters of the Indian Ocean, the Wild Coast Tented Lodge shows you a side of Sri Lanka you’ve perhaps never seen before.
As a part of the Sri Lankan group, Resplendent Ceylon – a member of the prestigious Relais and Châteaux group of luxury accommodations and restaurants scattered around the world – this resort is a veritable example of that perfect blend of decadence, amidst the rusticity and raw beauty of nature.
Hotel
The Wild Coast Tented Lodge’s unique design, masterminded by a consortium of Dutch, English and Sri Lankan designers, sees the man-made structures blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape with the distinctive rock formations of Yala. This is thanks to the use of carefully selected natural materials.
The use of arched fabric structures allows each of the twenty eight cocoon pod tents to take on the contours and colour of the rocks and boulders that lay scattered nearby. Whilst a clever layout in the shape of a leopard’s paw print alludes to the area’s most famous resident.
The open-air bamboo-clad Bar and Dining Pavilion, designed to mirror the boulders strewn across the golden-sanded beach beyond, wraps around the resort’s enormous free-form swimming pool. Abutting this is the library that doubles up as an educational centre. A place where guests learn about the wildlife in the park and watch documentaries, further explained by the lodge’s expert guides.
Like all other Resplendent Ceylon resorts, this one, too, is said to be underpinned by an unwavering commitment to sustainability and ethical business practice. This means, water is desalinated from the ocean and recycled into watering holes for animals to drink from, a solar plant meets energy needs, and organic waste is composted on site. Furthermore, the lodge is building a Leopard and Climate Change research station next to the property for a more ‘hands on’ experience of what it takes to be one with nature in these parts.
Room
Resembling vast silkworm cocoons when viewed from above, the unique pod accommodation at Wild Coast Tented Lodge are perhaps the most luxurious in the glamping world. The 55 square-meter king bedded air-conditioned cocoon suites boast soaring vaulted ceilings, offering jungle views from the double-height double glazed facades.
The interiors fuse colonial expedition chic with contemporary design innovations, from freestanding handmade copper bathtubs to sumptuous four-poster beds. Teak floors and canvas walls complement dark leather touches and repurposed metallic hardware for an eclectic and design-led aesthetic.
The cocoons are dotted around watering holes attracting wildlife, which can be viewed from outdoor decks. Furthermore, four secluded beachside cocoon pool suites also offer private plunge pools. The family cocoon suites sport an adjoining twin-bedded 20 square meter ‘urchin’, perfect for older kids.
Food
In perfect sync with the Relais and Châteaux ethos of fine dining, here, one can expect to be indulged with an array of gourmet safari cuisine with a Sri Lankan flair. All served in the vast, cavernous bamboo dining pavilion open to the ocean breezes. Or for a truly romantic evening, one can opt for the beach dinner in the beautiful natural beach garden under a star-studded Sri Lankan night sky.
Breakfasts here feature a wide array of traditional Sri Lankan and international breakfast favourites like yummy hoppers and kiribath (milk rice). Lunch is a la carte with perennial favourites with a wild coast twist. This ranges from comfort food, healthy salads and soups to Sri Lankan thalis, which are plated set meals, replete with spicy curries, rice, poppadoms and the piquant condiment of the island called a sambol. One of the highlights at the lodge are the post evening game drive cocktails and canapés that are also laid out on the rugged beach garden for all to enjoy.
Spa
With a concerted focus on fusing local Sri Lankan treatments and ingredients with western techniques and luxury, the Sanctuary Spa at Wild Coast Tented Lodge is a tropical haven for the spa enthusiast. Offering one double and two single treatment rooms, the spa is situated in its own standalone structure, one that is located in one of the most vibrant and spectacular settings in Sri Lanka, bordering the pristine ocean and dense bush.
Key to the wellness experience here are two native Sri Lankan ingredients, tea and cinnamon, both of which are used liberally in the oils, scrubs and poultices.
To do
There is no escaping the wild in Yala, Sri Lanka’s best and most famous national park. And as a nature-lover’s paradise, Wild Coast offers exceptional wilderness experiences, allowing guests to immerse themselves in some of the richest biodiversity in Sri Lanka.
The lodge’s dedicated and well-trained rangers take guests on daily 2.5 hours-long safaris to the quietest corners of the park and explain the incredible diversity of flora and fauna, including elephants, sloth bears and leopards. In addition to safaris, one can opt for other activities such as guided walks and nature-based activities for kids, including fascinating excursions to ancient Buddhist and Hindu sites, like Kataragama and the ancient Buddhist jungle monastery of Sithulpawwa, the latter of which is believed to date back to the 2nd Century BCE.
In a nutshell
With a tagline like ‘where the Indian Ocean meets the Jungle’, this wildlife haven sets the tone for an exceptional, nature-enhanced, luxurious stay in the wilds of Sri Lanka. Life here pivots around jungle time, catering to the whims and fancies of Mother Nature. This means that sightings and close encounters with the animals and other wildlife can never be guaranteed and set in stone. But what’s almost a given when you choose to stay at the Wild Coast Tented Lodge is a luxury-filled glamping experience that stays with you forever. Thus, encouraging you to seek out the unknown and unpredictable every now and then.
Getting there
The Lodge is located in south east Sri Lanka, 300km from the country’s capital Colombo’s international airport, with an approximate drive time of four hours. Colombo is connected to London and most of Western Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania with daily direct flights on airlines like Sri Lankan Airlines. Alternatively, one can connect to Colombo with a short layover in cities like Mumbai, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Singapore on airlines like Air India, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Singapore Airlines, respectively.
Factbox
Cocoon pool suites start from GBP 981 (including breakfast, lunch, afternoon cream tea, dinner, beverages including spirits and wines, in-room mini bar, one daily game drive, laundry, Wi-Fi, taxes service charge) for double occupancy, per night.
Address: Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Palatupana, Yala, Sri Lanka
Phone: +94-047-7036000
E-mail: reservations@resplendentceylon.com
Website: resplendentceylon.com
Photography courtesy of Wild Coast Tented Lodge
