Sri Lanka is home to 22 national parks, all protected by the government. For a small country, this is a staggering number! With this amount of protected land, you are guaranteed to find yourself with the opportunity to embark on some incredible safari adventures. The Sanctuary Yala is the place to find them.
One of the most famous national parks happens to be Yala National Park. This park is famous for the leopards and is known to have the highest density of leopards in the world. Between 40-60 leopards call this national park home, so if you visit, chances are you will spot one, or two.
Whilst we were planning our trip to Yala, both of us knew we wanted to share a unique and unforgettable experience. We had never been on a wild safari before and we wanted to do it right. We looked for weeks to try to find the perfect place to stay and we were so happy with our final decision. Ultimately, we choose to stay at The Sanctuary Yala. While it was a bit more than we typically spend, we can honestly say it was worth every penny. The cost of the stay included all of our meals, the safari with a private guide, and a romantic dinner set up under the stars!
The Sanctuary Yala
Located just on the outskirts of the national park, The Sanctuary is a unique, upscale, private getaway perfect for couples! What was so fantastic about this place was how intimate it was. With only two tents and one lobby, you are made to feel like you are the only two in the entire park!
The staff was also extremely friendly and helpful. Upon arrival we were greeted with the most amazing coconut drinks and cool towels! They guys working there clearly paid attention and were there whenever we had questions…because we were literally the only guests at the time!
The Sanctuary Yala
The Safari
The Sanctuary offered an amazing safari ride that we will never forget! You are given the option to partake in either a morning, or evening safari. We went with our guides recommendation and went with the late afternoon/early evening one. Entry to the park costed us about $25 USD each. Once inside, you get the entire car to yourself, along with the amazing guide Dinesh! Dinesh knew absolutely everything about national park. He informed us about all the different variety of animals and species. You could tell he was very passionate about the animals and where he was from, which made the experience so much more enjoyable. We got extremely lucky and saw many elephants, monkeys, birds and other wild creatures. He was the best guide and somehow knew exactly where to be at the right time!
The Sanctuary Yala
The Food
We have to give our compliments to the chef and the staff who made each dining experience an unforgettable one! Dinner under the stars with a bonfire next to us was something we will never forget. Not to mention, breakfast in the morning was also spectacular! Served atop the treehouse overlooking the entire park, it was incredible! Overall, the food was cooked to perfection and extremely tasty. Prior to our arrival, we were also asked about any dietary restrictions, so if you are a vegetarian, or have any allergies the team can alter the menu based on your necessities.
The Sanctuary Yala
The Tent
This was our second time ‘glamping’ and once again it did not disappoint! This tent was extremely spacious with a comfortable bed and AC inside. This was a great addition for us to get some cooled air flow inside the tent. We also loved that there was a sink inside which made it easy to wash up at night. The shower and toilet are located just out back and it was super cool taking a shower under the trees outside! Overall, it was extremely comfortable and decorated to perfection.
All in all, The Sanctuary was definitely the best place for us! We had a fantastic stay and we were so happy we were able to create lasting memories with the team. Sri Lanka is now going through some major changes in light of the recent events. Small businesses like these are struggling to pick up the pieces. If you are planning an upcoming vacation and trip to Yala National Park, we would highly suggest you stay at The Sanctuary.
For more information about current prices and availability. Please check their website here.
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