Wallowing like hippos in our very own plunge pool was an unexpected highlight of this remote lodge on the outskirts of Yala National Park. But it was only the tip of the iceberg as far as lavish amenities were concerned: the 18 thatched cabins also offer enormous beds, sitting areas, freestanding tubs, and the kind of mod cons you'd normally only expect in a smart city hotel. Add gourmet all-inclusive food, excellent service and a small spa, and comfort-seeking nature lovers – whether on honeymoon or with family – will find Chena Huts an absolute treat.
Located a 10-minute jeep ride from the park entrance, overlooking a seasonal lagoon teeming with birdlife and a wild stretch of sand-duned coastline, this delightful small hotel hunches amidst wind-blown palu trees. The cabins and walkways are stilted so that nature can move freely, their thatched roofs don't appear above the canopy so blend in to the bush, and walls of glass allow for hide-style wildlife spotting. Common visitors include birds, hares, frogs, wild boar and lizards, as well as elephants wandering by the restaurant. As for Yala itself, it offers some of the best wild-leopard viewing in the world, and one game drive per day is included in the rates.
Highs
- A spectacular 9-acre location between lagoon, sea and bush; sunsets here are very special
- Extremely knowledgeable rangers, who will help you spot leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and all manner of bird life
- The cabins are huge, very private and lavishly equipped (Bluetooth sound systems, sofas, huge TVs)
- Top-quality all-inclusive food, without a boring buffet in sight
- The plunge pools add to the luxe feel; we also loved the main pool with its waterfall shower and dazzling green tiles
Lows
- It's pricey, but rates include all meals and drinks, games drives and laundry
- The cabins' open-plan design suits couples more than friends
- The sea is not suitable for swimming
- No private safaris; jeeps can be shared with up to 5 other guests to reduce vehicle movements in the park
- Only two of the cabins have a sea view
Best time to go
The best sightings are usually late Dec-August; the dry season usually starts in February and runs through until August; leopards can be spotted year-round, especially during these drier months. Sloth bears are most easily seen when the fruits of the palu trees are in season (May/June), while the winter months (Nov-Feb) are best for migratory birds. Note that the park closes from September to mid-October annually for maintenance; during this time, you can safari in other sections of the park or make for nearby Bundala National Park. The park is most crowded with tourists Dec-Mar and July and Aug, and you may want to avoid the Sinhala new year period in April.
Our top tips
Try to avoid visiting Yala National Park on weekends and public holidays, when it gets busy with Sri Lankan tourists. Stay at least two nights to give yourself more of an opportunity to sight wildlife – longer if you want to diversify your game drives and make a visit to Bundala National Park as well (you will need to arrange this in advance to secure a ranger and jeep).
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Beautiful location, gorgeous accommodation and faultless service. The staff make a real effort to make it a fantastic experience. Safari drives are great, the only comment being that there often seem to be a lot of vehicles in the park, and we sometimes got the feeling the animals were a little harassed.
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape