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
Leopards are spotted year-round, especially during the drier months of May to September. Sloth bears are most easily seen when the fruits of the palu trees are in season (May/June), while the winter months are best for migratory birds. Note that parts of Yala are closed from September to mid-October, during the height of the dry season; during this time, you’ll safari in the other sections of the park or make for nearby Bundala National Park.
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).
- Safari Lodge
- 18 rooms
- All inclusive
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The domed, thatch-covered cabins were inspired by the treetop huts built by local farmers to keep watch for wild elephants, but they're infinitely more luxurious. Rooftops are kept below tree level, ensuring the lodge blends into the bush. All are identical in their spacious, open-plan design, though their outlooks vary – ours was immersed in the bush (good for wildlife viewing), while others overlook a seasonal lagoon – including the four most recent additions, which have the same layout but with higher ceilings. On our most recent visit, we stayed in no.1, which is one of only two cabins with a sea view (along with no.3, which is ideal for honeymooners).
We slept on a very comfortable emperor bed set on a platform beneath a curved, freestanding fan; some cabins have twin beds instead. Behind the sliced-log bedhead were twin washbasins and a standalone tub, along with cubicles for the toilet and shower. Each cabin also has a lounge area, a minibar (soft drinks only) and a desk, and 2 sides are glassed (with blinds) so that you can keep an eye on wild visitors. Outside is a generous deck, lounge chairs and a 15ft plunge pool with jets.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Bluetooth sound system
- Coffee / tea making
- Cots available
- Fan
- Minibar
- Plunge pool
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
Food and all drinks (excluding premium alcohol such as champagne) are included in the rates, and they're excellent. The Basses Restaurant sits on a rise above the beach and is named after the offshore Great Basses lighthouse, which can be spied on the horizon. The glass-walled, nautical-themed interior has air conditioning for comfortable daytime dining, while the romantic timber deck with its adjacent domed bar makes a fitting spot for sundowners and candlelit dinners. You can also dine in romantic private amid the dunes.
The à la carte breakfast menu is extensive. We opted for tropical fruit, Sri Lankan kiribath (milk rice), perfectly cooked poached eggs, and hoppers (both string or egg versions are available).
Lunch and dinner are 3-course international set menus with a few options for mains and desserts which change daily, although the Ambula option (an assortment of curries with a choice of red or white rice) and the Bush Grills (choose meat or seafood) are a constant. We loved all our meals, which included crab cakes, black tiger prawn soup, mung dahl wellington, and deliciously fresh catch of the day. We really liked the lava cake, buffalo curd with treacle, and lemongrass creme brûlée for dessert too.
Note there's no room service to prevent any issues with wildlife.
Features include:
- All meals included
- Bar
- Coffee maker
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
Activities
- Explore Yala National Park on a game drive with one of the hotel’s knowledgeable rangers; you'll stop for drinks and snacks en route. Keep your eyes peeled for leopards, sloth bears, elephants, crocodiles, monkeys and numerous bird species. On our most recent visit we were impressed by our driver and guide's insider knowledge which took us away from the hordes, and we enjoyed some great sightings as a consequence
- Join a ranger for an early-morning or pre-sunset walk around the perimeter of the lagoon (home to storks, cormorants and turtles) and along the beach
- Swim in the green-hued pool, set in a clearing ringed by low-rise trees, and bathe in the waterfall that tumbles down from above the bar
- Wander the cinnamon-wood pathway to the hotel’s small spa for a massage, scrub or reflexology treatment
- Join a Secret Sundowner Experience for cocktails and canapés in an exclusive spot by the lagoon
- If you have an extra day or two, visit Yala’s mesmerising jungle temple, Sithulpawa, whose rock-top dagoba offers panoramic jungle views
- Or head to Bundala National Park, 35km away, which is a major wintering ground for migratory birds
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Historical sites
- Jeep safaris
- Safaris
- Well being
- Wildlife
Kids
Children of all ages are welcome. The staff seem to really love kids and go out of their way to assist families. However, due to the remote location, the raised walkways and the visiting wildlife, Chena Huts is best for kids over 5. Note that the sea is not suitable for swimming.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
All cabins can fit an extra bed or baby cot. The best option for larger families is booking cabins 5 and 6, which are connected via a short (raised) exterior walkway and share a deck (though they have their own plunge pools).
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Children's meals:
Meals can be tailored on request.
Kids Activities on site:
Kids Activities nearby:
Families Should Know:
Jeep safaris are shared unless you are a large family, or there are enough jeeps to go around, so children will need to be able to last the duration (2-3 hours). Morning drives leave at 6am.
Distances:
- Airport: 4h30m
- Hospital: 30 mins
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Uga Chena Huts is secreted within bush, located on a wild stretch of coastline, just outside Yala National Park in southeastern Sri Lanka. The nearest town is Tissamaharama.
By Air
Colombo Bandaranaike (315km away) is Sri Lanka's main airport and is served by numerous airlines - click on the links below for a list. There's also an airport at Mattala, 53km away, though it receives few flights.
From the Airport
The hotel can arrange transfers, either by car or by a combination of Air Taxi (to Dickwella, near Tangalle) and car. If you want to book a car and driver for your entire Sri Lankan holiday, enquire through our Tailormade Tour Operator.
Detailed directions will be provided when you confirm a booking through i-escape.com.
Airports:
- Colombo Bandaranaike International 315.0 km CMB
- Mattala Rajapaksa 53.0 km HRI
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 20.0 km
- Restaurant 20.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape