Elegant Lake Yala Safari House

Stunning location and very comfortable rooms. The Host went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable. He even went out and brought us curd and honey and his wife made a beautiful Sri Lankan breakfast. This place is run by a family who has give their all to create a hidden gem, tucked away in a peaceful and private setting, surrounded by incredible wildlife. It is very affordable and one of the places you would want to keep a secret. We would happily return.

We stayed at seven different hotels during our trip around Sri Lanka, and this was easily our favourite. We spent three nights here and were genuinely sad to leave. The rooms were immaculate, the gardens were absolutely beautiful, and the amount of wildlife around the property was incredible. We saw crocodiles, monitor lizards, pelicans, parrots and so much more. It really felt like staying somewhere special and completely surrounded by nature. What made the stay even better was the hospitality. Randi was fantastic — he took us into town each evening to eat and also took the time to show us around the local village, which gave us an experience we simply wouldn't have had otherwise. The whole stay felt relaxed, welcoming and personal. Beautiful surroundings, spotless accommodation, amazing wildlife and genuinely lovely people. After travelling around Sri Lanka and staying in seven different hotels, this was the one that stood out above all the others. We would return without hesitation and can't recommend it highly enough. 10/10.

This was much more than a stay near Yala. It was the most memorable experience of our trip to Sri Lanka, without question. From the moment we arrived, Randy and his family made us feel incredibly welcome. Almost immediately, Randy took us around the area in his tuk-tuk. What amazed us was that the wildlife was not somewhere far away. Just across the road from the house and around the lake, we were already seeing crocodiles, water buffalo, huge flying foxes and an incredible variety of birds. What made this so special was not just seeing the animals, but everything Randy showed and explained to us. He showed us the extraordinary hanging nests of the Baya weaver and explained how the male builds the nest for the female to inspect and accept. He told us the wonderful local story that they use mud to attach fireflies inside the nests to light them at night. He showed us local plants and berries, including some that would suddenly pop when you sucked them, and explained the traditional red rice grown in the area and how he himself used to work with rice. We loved hearing all these stories because they gave us a completely different understanding of the place. It felt like Randy was showing us his home, his culture and the nature around it, rather than simply taking us on a tour. That first tuk-tuk ride alone became one of our favourite memories of Sri Lanka. His whole family is lovely. His children are adorable, and one of them even wanted to help us carry our suitcases. The breakfast they prepared for us was absolutely delicious, generous and beautifully done. Randy also organised our safari in Yala, and everything was handled perfectly. The driver he arranged was excellent, very patient and genuinely interested in making sure we had the best possible experience. We saw far more than we could have hoped for, including countless deer, crocodiles, water buffalo, elephant families crossing roads and rivers, and even two leopards. (Continue..)

..(Continue) It was an unforgettable safari, but what made the whole stay truly special was everything surrounding it. The room, the lake and the natural surroundings are beautiful, but Randy and his family are what make this place exceptional. Our only regret is that we did not stay longer. We would genuinely love to come back and spend several days here, not just for Yala, but simply to enjoy the area, learn more from Randy and spend more time with this wonderful family. Thank you, Randy and family. This was the highlight of our trip to Sri Lanka.

We had an absolutely wonderful stay here! This is a beautiful and peaceful place to stay, and the location is perfect for visiting Yala National Park. From the moment we arrived, Randy and his family made us feel incredibly welcome. Before we even checked in, we were offered a refreshing drink and a delicious selection of fresh fruit — such a lovely welcome after our journey! After settling into our room and having some time to relax, Randy took us on a tuk-tuk tour around the lake and through his village. This was honestly one of the highlights of our stay. He showed us the most beautiful spots, told us fascinating stories about the area and shared lots of interesting local facts. It felt so much more personal and authentic than a standard tourist experience. The scenery was absolutely beautiful! The next morning, Randy arranged our safari to Yala National Park, and everything was perfectly organised. We had an amazing safari and couldn’t have asked for better help or hospitality. Randy and his family are genuinely kind, warm and incredibly helpful people. You can really feel how much they care about their guests and about sharing their beautiful surroundings. We can only highly recommend staying here! ❤️ If you’re visiting Yala, we would definitely recommend choosing a small, local guesthouse like this rather than one of the big resorts. You get a much more personal experience while supporting a local family. Thank you so much, Randy and family, for making our stay so special! We would absolutely love to come back one day! 🇱🇰❤️

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