Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
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The villa keeps a low profile, so that it remains as one of those lesser-known places for people who like something unique with a blend of nature and luxury. The un-spoilt natural surroundings are an example of how the villa is very conscious about the protection of the envitonment and the areas resident wildlife. The property hosts journalists, travel writers and film crews who visit the island to promote Sri Lanka nature.
The villa has provided employment for two Sri Lankans (the chef & housekeeper) who come from rural parts of the island. The villa also helps international students who visit the nearby wetlands on research projects, especially students who do projects on primates, butterflies, dragonflies and water birds. If you’re keen on an Asian rikshaw ride, the villa will arrange one for you. They hire the rikshaws from the local village so that they help the local families to earn revenue. The village vegetable & fruit shop supplies fresh vegetables to the villa and the variety of drinks that are offered to guests are all purchased locally with the intention of helping local businesses.
The villa uses power saving bulbs and recycles its used water. The back garden of the villa has lovely giant trees, which not only provide shade but also help to keep the environment green. The villa recycles waste to create fertilizer which is used for gardening. The villa is deliberately designed in order for natural light to get in to the property so that the guests will minimize the use of electricity. The modern fittings in the villa ensure that water is not wasted and used in adequate quantities.
The marketing agent of this property also runs a publication division, which has a good collection of books on Sri Lanka wildlife. All these books are published with the aim of spreading the message for conservation and with an aim of creating a million wildlife enthusistaists in Sri Lanka.
The agent also runs birding and wildlife tours, which adopt well-defined responsible travel policies; locals are trained by the company and licensed by the Sri Lankan tourist board in order for them to guide these tours. They are paid a fair guide fee, which not only helps their daily expenses but also helps their professional development.
Even though the villa is becoming a popular spot for those who love the blend of nature and luxury, the property is attracting the attention of local nature societies who are carrying out various projects on the conservation of a number of wildlife species. The surrounding area is a good starting point, especially for the projects focusing on water birds. A display board with images of common birds found in the area has been put up near the lake to educate the locals and visiting birdwatchers for educational and identification purposes.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
