Wild Coast Tented Lodge stands at Palatupana on the south-east coast of Sri Lanka, where the jungle of Yala National Park meets the Indian Ocean, and its boundary with the park is unfenced, so wild animals pass through the grounds. Yala covers 979 square kilometres of grassland, marine wetland, thorny forest and beach and holds Sri Lanka's largest population of leopards, along with elephants, sloth bears and more than 215 species of bird. The lodge belongs to Resplendent Ceylon, owned by the Dilmah tea company, and its 28 tented cocoon suites have vaulted ceilings, double-height glass and canvas fronts, four-poster beds, campaign furniture and handmade copper bathtubs; Cocoon Pool Suites add a plunge pool, and the Family Cocoon Pool Suite joins a parents' cocoon to a smaller Urchin for children across a short footbridge. There are swimming pools, watering holes, a library, the Sanctuary Spa and a kitchen given to Sri Lankan cooking. Rangers lead game drives in shared or private vehicles, leaving at 5:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. for about three hours, and there are nature walks, village bike tours, jungle monastery visits, cookery classes and a Junior Ranger programme.
- Nearest airport
- Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo, 303 kilometres (five to six hours by road)
- Rooms
- 28 cocoon suites
Insider tip Arrive by 12:00 p.m. to make the first afternoon game drive, as park tickets for the evening drive have a cutoff; the lodge suggests at least two or three nights, ideally four to six.
Why I choose it A tented lodge where Yala's leopard country meets the beach, with ranger-led drives twice a day.