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Peaceful surroundings in the countryside.

beautiful tranquil spacious place. stunning lake view. lots of wild birds. the host Anne was extremely friendly and helpful and explained all about the delicious food we ate made with locally sourced products.

Ik zal mijn review in het Engels schrijven, ik hoop namelijk dat zoveel mogelijk mensen dezelfde geweldige ervaring zullen hebben als ik. This small-scale eco retreat near Thanamalwila turned out to be an unexpected gem. Dilan and Dhanushka, together with the quiet but essential Shashi, run this place with great dedication and heartfelt hospitality. They're in the process of turning it into a sustainable and locally rooted resort — and you can feel that in every detail. We stayed in a wooden cabin above a pond, beautifully lit at night with candles in coconut shells and little lamps in the trees. The bathroom has no roof above the shower, so you're literally showering under the open sky. A little frog on the toilet seat? Comes with the territory. It’s wonderfully peaceful here. From the veranda, you can spot birds, squirrels, monitor lizards and frogs. At night, it’s dark and quiet, with only the soft glow of oil lamps. When our son got tired after dinner, a mattress was already waiting under the tree by the dining tables — so we could stay and chat a little longer while he drifted off to sleep. By car, we visited a nearby river where monkeys leapt between the trees above and tiny fish gently nibbled at our feet — swimming in the current was a treat. No other people around. Just nature. A real highlight was the visit to the local market with Dilan, followed by a cooking class from Dhanushka’s mother. Nothing staged — just cooking and tasting together, the way it's done at home. During a relaxed BBQ under the trees, someone brought out a guitar and music followed naturally — a perfect example of Sri Lankan warmth and spontaneity. The safari to the quieter part of Yala (blocks V and VI) was stunning. We saw elephants, a leopard, crocodiles and countless birds — all without the crowds you’ll find elsewhere. A short walk across the estate took us along numerous elephant trails to a large rock with sweeping views of the landscape and the setting sun.

The villa is in a very serene and tranquil environment, offering clean and peaceful rooms that ensure a relaxing stay. As part of the experience, the villa organizes guided safari tours around the Thanamalwilla and Yala regions, renowned for their incredible biodiversity. The knowledgeable and passionate guides enhance the journey, frequently pausing to highlight fascinating wildlife and provide interesting information that we may have otherwise missed out on seeing.

Friendly and interesting people , we loved the outdoor bird watching walk during sunset.

The food was great and their dining area is really calm and quiet. You can sit and enjoy your meal. The friendly staff always support their guests. The Mahoora tent is clean, the bed is comfortable, and the living area is big enough. Jeep safari is done by a well-trained safari driver.

We had a truly amazing stay at Amba Kola. The food was better than most restaurants and hospitality better than most hotels. The living space is comfortable, the area is calm and within a kilometer from the national park where you can see wild Elephants in their natural habitat.

Large and clean room, good the restaurant and also the staff. Perfect location not far from the entrance to the national park. Very good also the safari experience: very knowledgeable driver and expert on local wildlife

Food cooked by the host’s mother was one of the best meals we’ve had on our 2 month trip! So great we asked for it for breakfast too. Location was very close to national park and we were given a safari for a good price much cheaper than we’d seen online. Host also drove us to our hotel in Ella the next day! Room was spacious and beds comfy.

A sweet and lovely place to stay. Amazing woodwork combined with creativity makes it a place you want to stay. Some things are still in progress (new rooms), but when finished it will be an overall amazing hotel. Accommodation was generous and all facilities very clean. The staff and manager where very friendly and helpful in any way. Thanks to the team! 😃 Pool Billard table (very nice idea) and lounge area was very cool and wie liked the aquariums. You can have a proper drink at the bar as well. 😁