Camilla Berndtson review 17 Feb 2006
My stay at this lodge in Sri Lanka was an absolutely beautiful experience. I donīt think that I've ever felt so relaxed. Staying in a simple (but clean and neat) hut in the jungle and listening to the sounds of birds and sometimes even elephants made me feel very, very, very happy and close to nature.
I can't tell you how grateful I am to have been able to do this trip, and finally one of my dreams came true when I saw an elephant..... I definitely felt that my holiday benefited local people, all the staff (except the host - Lars) was from the area and had a lot of knowledge about the nature.
Rating:*****!! Will travel with you again as soon as I can.
Rachel Morgans review 18 Oct 2005
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole experience of staying here was memorable, from the incredibly warm welcome through to the amazing food prepared by local staff on an open fire. Unfortunately we arrived after the rains had started so we didn't see a lot of wildlife but if we had wanted guaranteed sightings we would have gone to a zoo.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go with an open mind and take things as they come. Lars and his staff will bend over backwards to accommodate your wishes but there are limits and visitors should recognise this.
3. Any areas for improvement?
Definitely. The accommodation is made from local materials and any timber is taken from trees that have already fallen rather than cutting down growing trees. Several of the local staff have been converted from abusing the environment e.g. poaching to protecting it.
Annabel Smith review 21 Jan 2005
It was everything we hoped it would be, so far away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of Sri Lanka. Although there had been other quiet, peaceful times and places they were always punctuated by noisy travelling and so on. The accommodation is very comfortable and really well thought out. It's basic, washing with water from a well and lighting in the form of candles and hurricane lamps. This is as it should be, because the idea is to have as little impact on the surrounding jungle and its inhabitants as possible. Lars is a very good host and is a really dedicated to his cause. The local guys who Lars employs are very knowledgeable about the fauna and flora of the jungle. We went on three guided walks through the wonderful jungle and saw clues to elephant and bear and porcupine activities! They all made our stay very relaxing and enjoyable as well as interesting and we learned a great deal. We really felt part of it all. The food was really excellent, and the evening meal was prepared by torch, candle and hurricane lamp light! All in all everything was fantastic, the people the place and the atmosphere!
Peter Davis review 13 Dec 2004
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Our overwhelming feeling after the holiday, is a great sadness for the loss of life and suffering caused by the tsunami disaster. Though, we very much enjoyed our stay at the Lodge, even though the monsoon rain curtailed the walking safaris.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
This is a real jungle experience far from normal comforts, such as running water.
3. Any areas for improvement?
I understand that the manager, Lars, intends to provide some running water in the accommodation, and an attached toilet which would be very good ideas.
4. Any other comments?
I think Lars is doing a great job and the project is definitely worthy of support. It would be good when Lars has managed to build more accommodation to allow more people to stay at one time.
Kim Brown review 15 Dec 2003
Staying here was the most amazing experience! I stayed at an ecolodge on the edge of the jungle and learned how to track wild elephant and leopard. We had the lodge exclusively to ourselves. Bathed at a well - no electricity - watched displays by fireflies at night - food was delicious and cooked over small wood stove. Staff were wonderful - felt very safe yet living at one with nature. Altogether - a life enhancing experience.
