Chaaya Wild Sri Lanka

Customer Rating
  • General
    85
    85%
  • Food
    78
    78%
  • Service
    85
    85%
  • Room
    82
    82%
  • Location
    96
    96%
Average Score - 57 Reviews
85.2
85.2%
Ratings based on real traveller reviews in past 2 years
Media Reviews
"'Yala Village offers posh accommodation amid the sand dunes. Rooms are in individual bungalows, which come with satellite TV, fridge and elephant bedspreads. Talking of elephants, they often pass through the lodge grounds at night and their not-so-soft foot falls are likely to break into your dreams.'"
Lonely Planet
January 2009 More »
Chaaya Wild, Yala
Swimming pool   Beach access   Cable TV   DVD library   Restaurant   Licensed bar   Child friendly   Eco friendly  
Location
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Chaaya Wild is an eco-friendly, four-star game lodge scattered over 10 acres of scrub jungle bordering Yala National Park and the secluded Palatupana-Kirinda beaches in the Deep South. Chaaya Wild is conveniently located just 10 minutes away from the park entrance and can be accessed via the south coast and from the hill country via Wellawaya. Two bird sanctuaries, Bundala and the Kelametiya wetlands, are also within easy reach. Tissamaharama with its ancient temples and lotus-filled tanks as well as the jungle shrine of Kataragama is about 45 minutes from here.
Introduction
Chaaya Wild, formerly known as Yala Village, has a rustic chic, contemporary ambience that blends seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness – a commendable transformation under its rebranding achieved by Sri Lankan architect Channa Daswatte. Enter through the reception and lounge pavilion designed with cinnamon wood furniture, polished cement floors, giant cinnamon stick ceiling lamps in the shape of bird nests, and dramatic photographs of Yala’s elusive leopard. Accommodation is in luxurious Jungle and Beach chalets immersed in nature. Rise at dawn and head to the jungles of Yala National Park famous for leopard, elephants, sloth bear and over 150 species of birds. Once back at the game lodge, cool off with a relaxing swim. There is much to do here by day for children and adults alike including bird watching, nature trails and walks on the nearby Kirinda beach which is remote and attractive, although swimming is not recommended. By nightfall, sink into a comfy sofa at the restaurant roof deck and star gaze with the calls of the wild all around.

Chaaya Wild does much to minimize the ‘ecological footprint’ in this corner of the island including use of solar energy, recycling of waste, water and energy conservation, creating public awareness about nature conservation and supporting several projects that protects the endangered leopard and wild elephants. The management also pursues a policy of existing in harmony with nature and often you will see wild animals including monkeys, wild boar and the occasional wild elephant, wander through the gardens unhindered. Chaaya Wild is managed by the John Keells group who also owns several other Chaaya and Cinnamon hotel properties across Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Photo Gallery
Accommodation
There are 68 chalets on stilts of which 60 are Jungle Chalets and eight are Beach Chalets. The interiors are stylishly furnished with twin or double canopied beds. Ensuite bathrooms have h/w rain head showers. In-room facilities include a/c, overhead fans, 32 inch LCD TV, DVD player, wifi internet, IDD telephone, mini-bar, tea/coffee facility, and safety deposit box.

Jungle chalets: The 68 Jungle Chalets are scattered across the gardens. Each has a private verandah that is ideal for spotting birds and the curious monkeys.

Beach chalets: The eight Beach Chalets are located closer to the Kirinda beach. The spacious interiors consist of a bedroom and attached bathroom with h/w shower, and verandah with sea views. The Beach Chalets are located further away from the main restaurant, lounge, and swimming pool.
Facilities
The lounges, restaurant and bar are all housed in separate stylishly decorated pavilions designed with high timber roofs, polished cement floors and opens on to the swimming pool and the surrounding nature. The main restaurant and roof deck bar is located on the upper floors of the reception area and has spectacular 360 degree views of the Yala jungles and lagoon where wild animals often come to drink water. Sri Lankan and western cuisine is served at the main restaurant. Snacks are served at the roof deck. The large fresh water swimming pool with an expansive pool deck is ideal for relaxing after a tiring day. Other hotel facilities include laundry service, doctor-on-call, interesting excursions such as nature treks, bird watching trails, animals track identification trails for children, turtle night watch at Kirinda beach, discussions on nature conservation and slide shows on Yala’s fauna and flora, and screening of documentaries and movies on wildlife.
Excursions
Yala National Park with a total protected area of 126,768 hectares is one of the best places to see a wide variety of Sri Lankan wildlife because of its scrub plains, lagoons and rocky sections. Boasting one of the world's densest leopard populations, Yala attracts many visitors just because it offers an opportunity to see such a famous big cat. Yala is also home to herds of elephants, sloth bear, sambur, spotted deer, wild boar, crocodiles, monkeys and over 150 species of birds. A night safari to Kirinda beach where marine turtles come to nest is another fascinating experience. Globally, all seven species of marine turtles are endangered. Of these, five species – the Hawksbill, Leatherback, Kemp’s Ridley, Olive Ridley, and Greenback all come ashore to nest in Sri Lanka. Set off late at night to Kirinda beach and watch quietly as these giant turtles make their way ever so slowly out of the ocean and on to the beach where the nesting process happens. Up to about 150 eggs are layed in a nest that is methodically dug into the sand. After several hours, the exhausted turtle heads back to sea only to return time and again. A phenomenal ritual that is fascinating to observe. Tissamaharama with its ancient temples and reservoirs and the jungle shrine of Kataragama also can be accessed from here.
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