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It is designed to offer both an immersive rainforest experience and an insight into tea estate life. Guests can explore Sinharaja’s rich biodiversity on guided treks or take a leisurely walk through the plantation, before unwinding in the evening with a drink in the lounge, sharing sightings of birds and wildlife. Accommodation at Rainforest Eco Lodge consists of 16 individual chalets set on stilts amidst the tea bushes, each repurposed from a recycled shipping container.
Thoughtfully designed with sustainability in mind, the chalets feature timber floors and rush-matted walls, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Each unit includes a sleeping area with double or twin beds, an ensuite bathroom with twin washbasins and a hot water shower, and a small lounge opening onto a private terrace with views of the forested hills. In-room facilities include a mini-fridge, tea and coffee-making amenities, and a telephone. Given the lodge’s elevation at 3,500 feet above sea level, the cool climate eliminates the need for air conditioning. The chalets are located downhill from the main service areas and are accessed via small pathways through the tea estate, enhancing the sense of seclusion. To promote environmental awareness among younger visitors, the lodge also offers basic accommodation for students at a lower rate.
What we love
- We loved the uniquely immersive rainforest experience here
- The guided nature walks and bird-watching tours, led by knowledgeable naturalists, are an absolute highlight
- The mountain views are all encompassing with soaring peaks rising over the lush rainforest canopy
This is an immersive and environmentally attuned experience, so don’t expect high end luxury The paths that link the rooms with the main building are steep and rocky, so may not be suitable for those with mobility issues or families with young children High humidity and the presence of insects are common due to the rainforest environment A minimum two-night stay is recommended to fully appreciate this unique and tranquil setting.
Most suited for families with older children interested in ecology and nature. Rollaway beds available on request for an additional fee and ecotour activities including guided nature walks, mountain biking and bird watching are all on offer for families.
Built with sustainability at its core, the lodge adheres to strict eco-friendly principles of re-use, redesign, and recycling, and holds LEED certification under the guidance of environmental architect Sunela Jayawardene.
Solar energy supplies 70 per cent of the electricity used on site and rainwater supplies 80 per cent of the water supply. The lodge has been designed with the conservation of biodiversity of paramount importance, wildlife corridors across the site have not been disturbed and low light paths minimise nocturnal disruption. Extensive planting in 2024 has been carried out to further integrate the property into the surrounding ecosystem. The lodge employs local tea workers and their families and empowers local.
The Rainforest Ecolodge — Sinharaja is situated in the 500-acre Enselwatte Tea Estate in Deniyaya bordering the south-western fringe of the Sinharaja forest reserve, Sri Lanka’s primary rainforest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The property is located approximately 18 km from Deniyaya town, which can be reached from Colombo/Bandaranaike International Airport in approximately 3 hours.
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