The majestic elephants and dark clouds with monsoon rains are the inevitable pictures that come in my mind whenever I think of Sri Lanka travel. The small island country sure has magnetic pristine beaches with amazing sea food.
However, Sri Lanka is more than the ocean surrounding and offers plenty of natural wonders for those who love to explore off the beaten path. To quench my search for experiencing Sri Lankan wildlife, I came across the much acclaimed Jetwing Yala Hotel.
To my surprise I found, not only Jetwing Yala Sri Lanka provides a luxurious stay amid the jungle, they also conduct private tours for interested travelers. The hotel promotes tourism in a unique way and holds environment and sustainability as the prime focus. I instantly tagged with them only to experience one of the most discerning holidays.
The resort is situated just by the Indian Ocean, a pristine, serene beach. The oceanfront bar and view is what I fell in love with the first glance. Within ten minutes of my talking to the receptionist lady, she understood my requirements and chalked a custom tour for me that entailed a safari package. If you have a tight schedule and want to cover the trail within a couple of days, I suggest go with their preset tours that lets you take a glimpse of the area at ease. I had the luxury of a week to stay by and was ready to enjoy the beauty of the jungle trough a slow pace.
The first night at the Jetwing Hotel in Sri Lanka was all about exploring the locals and sitting idle in front of the beach. They conjure up a bonfire by night and I witnessed a magnificent sunset from the coastline. I strongly recommend trying out from their array of offering on sea food delicacies. As a solo traveler, the chefs personally came and spoke with me and made sure there is no dearth of service requirements. I was appalled by their hospitality.
The following day had started for me with a sumptuous breakfast followed by lazing around the pool. Around 9 AM we started for our jungle rail. Please be advised if you are coming to get a view of the big cats, do not plan for the breeding season.
The second day we followed the same route but ended in a tribal village of the area. With the locals we could enjoy a hearty meal, cooked in earthen ovens and with rustic spices. We watched the elephants making merry in a canal nearby. With monsoon rains pouring in, we had to pack up and take a round turn sooner than expected. Back home the well furbished room with warm lighting was awaiting to take the stress of the day out of my mind. The balcony offers magnificent view and is perfect as a reading nook.
Finally the last day arrived when I had to bid adieu to this pretty abode. I explored the beach in the morning, spoke with the local fishermen. Simplicity is the way of life here with an easy elegance. While returning I could take a glimpse at the solar project the resort has started recently.
You should carry basic first aid kits and treatment for leeches if you want to explore wildlife in detail. In a short stay I could get a glimpse of monkeys, boar, elephant and of course the big cat. Such an enthralling experience it was. Be dressed to walk of muddy and hilly terrain for a long stretch as well.
This Jetwing Hotel in Sri Lanka is run by local organization and emphasizes a lot on wildlife conservation efforts, a road less traveled in Sri Lanka. Throughout my stay at Jetwing Hotel Yala took care of all my needs, from arranging an airport pick up to wildlife safari to the food I had and cocktails I sipped on their pool. A spontaneous selection will result in such a pleasant stay was not my exact idea. I left content and surprised and will till date swear by their impeccable service standard for all the fellow travelers.
Jetwing Yala Address – Palatupana, Kirinda 82614, Sri Lanka
Phone Number – +94 47 4 710710
Distance From Airport* – 308 kilometers
Room Rate** on Booking.com – USD 235/-
Check the latest price on Agoda or Booking.com***
Notes
*Distance from Bandaranaike International Airport.
**Room rate is calculated as average price per night on 16 September 2017(tomorrow), 16 October 2017(after 1 month) & 16 November 2017(after 2 months) and includes taxes. The room selected was the most basic room at the property and has a maximum occupancy of 2 adults.
***I recommend you to always book your hotels, resorts and stays either on Agoda or Booking.com. Why only Agoda or Booking.com?