Kalu's Hideaway Udawalawe

Amazing location and the staff were incredible. Meeting Kaluwitharana was an added highlight!

we had a wonderful time! everyone was so polite and strived to meet our needs. the property is beautiful and is a wonderful mix of conservation and tourism. it was so peaceful and we will definetely visit again!

Impressive open plan safari lodge building, with jazz playing quietly at dinner, and attentive but not overbearing staff. Off season and we were one of only three groups of guests. Probably wouldn't take young children here again just because of the relaxed ambiance, although staff were lovely with them, and made packed fruit and cake for our children for their safari jeep breakfast. Food was good, and I would say in keeping with tourist pricing. Although beware the spicy ketchup if you have young children ;-)

We were caught out at check in (after losing my purse) when we were asked to pay 10,000 rupees of our stay in cash. There was no explanation and no negotiating this, with the nearest atm 8km away. The whole stay felt quite awkward thereafter. There was not time to get to the ATM after our safari, so we were unable to pay the elephant transit home entry for the morning feeding and missed it completely as a result. Room was clean, some mouse poo in bathroom on one towel, but probably can't be helped as this was an detached garden room. And we were here for the animals after all, big and small!

Nice to have two double beds in the room. Staff are friendly. Lovely sitting areas and swing chairs near the river. Very close to the reserve so you can see the elephants.

Food wasn't amazing - there is some way to go there but I don't think this would be too hard to remedy Lounge area a bit dated but I didn't mind - reminded me of South African game reserve