Living in jungle and living in jungle with some what luxury is two different things.‘Kekunawela Jungle Lodge’ is in the outskirts of Yala National Park, yet provides very comfortable living with good food for travellers to enjoy, while indulging the wild.
‘Kekunawela Jungle Lodge’ is a genuine eco-hideaway designed to blend with its natural environment. It is simple, but well designed to live in harmony with nature and wildlife, with a minimum of infrastructure and nature kept in focus.
Ramalika Kekunuwela, the proprietor of the place is not a professional hotelier, but he touches the life of a common man.
‘This lodge is designed for nature and wildlife lovers and, who really wants to feel the jungle atmosphere’ he said. ‘Kekunawela Jungle Lodge’ is located on Kataragama- Sithulpawwa road, just 10 minutes drive from sacred city of Kataragama and 20 minutes away from the Katagamuwa entrance of the Yala National Park.
The Lodge is a house for travellers of any purpose. It serves as an ideal base for the visitors to the park as well as the pilgrims to Kataragama. The Lodge is surrounded by lush green forest and the front is bordering the Yala-Situlpawwa Road.
‘Kekunawela Jungle Lodge’ comprises of two Cottages and a Tree House. The smaller cottage has three beds and a well maintained modern bathroom with shower and can accommodate six people.
The Cottage 2 is an ideal for travel group. It has a bed room with two double beds and an attached bath and an outside hall with four double beds and an outside bathroom with shower covered with bamboo curtains.
 |
| Navarathne Couple |
‘All beds are equipped with mosquito nets and an additional 2 beds can be placed on request for extra 4 people’ Kekunawela said
The Tree House is a wonderful and adventurous addition to the place. Tree house is totally made up with wood and it is an ideal night out for adventurous travellers. Two people can be accommodated comfortably on Jungle mattresses in the tree house.
‘Electricity powered by Solar energy and from a generator is supplied to the tree house for lights but kerosene lamps also can be lit depending on the interest. Spending a night in the tree house with the view of the jungle will be a memorable experience for any one.’ he added.
 |
| Ramalika Kekunuwela |
The caretakers of the ‘Kekunawela Jungle Lodge’ Navarathne and Pemila, the husband and wife duo is capable of serving any type of food to their guests
Eco typed open restaurant is the attraction of the place. It serves meals mainly of Sri Lankan touch. But Western and Chinese menus are on offer on request.
‘Apart from religious travellers, others can enjoy our BBQ corner during the weekends. Special BBQ nights can be arranged with bonfire on request’ he said.
The lodge is an ideal base to explore the area.
‘Wild life safaris to Yala National Park, lake fishing and cycling can be arranged’ Navaratne said.
Bundala (30 km), Uda Walawe (40km), Kirinda (18 km) and Lunugamvehera are some of the popular places for wildlife enthusiasts.
Currently ‘Kekunawela Jungle Lodge’ offers 25% discount on third night and free meals for kids under 12 years of age. For more details, call Cholitha Daswatta on 0722899455.
|
E-mail
