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Wadula Safari Yala

3.5 star property
Lakefront guesthouse in Kataragama with a restaurant

Photo gallery for Wadula Safari Yala

Exterior
Safari
Blackout curtains, iron/ironing board, bed sheets
Safari
Exterior

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast available
  • Room service
  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant

Explore the area

Map
Situlpawwa Road, Kataragama, uva, 82600
  • Yala National Park
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Kataragama Temple
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Kataragama Archaeological Museum
    ‪19 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Economy Cottage, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Lake View

Blackout curtains, iron/ironing board, bed sheets

Economy Cottage, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Lake View

Highlights

Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Blackout curtains
Separate bedroom
Ceiling fan
Bidet
Rainfall showerhead
Private bathroom
  • 18 sq m
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

About the area

Kataragama

At Wadula Safari Yala, you'll be 6.3 km (3.9 mi) from Yala National Park and 9.2 km (5.7 mi) from Kataragama Archaeological Museum. Highlights at this guest house include a restaurant. .This smoke-free guest house offers free WiFi in public areas, a garden and a picnic area. Plus you'll find tour/ticket assistance. Continental breakfast is available daily between 5:30 AM and 10:00 AM. There's also free parking nearby, along with the convenience of an airport shuttle. .Places within a 30-minute drive of this 3.5-property class Kataragama guest house include Kataragama Temple and Sacred Bo Tree.
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What's nearby

  • Yala National Park - 14 min drive - 6.3 km
  • Kataragama Temple - 18 min drive - 9.2 km
  • Kataragama Archaeological Museum - 19 min drive - 9.2 km
  • Sacred Bo Tree - 23 min drive - 12.6 km
  • Sithulpawwa Buddhist Monastery - 27 min drive - 11.9 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Ceybank Rest - Ceybank Holiday Homes - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Nishadi Hotel - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Plummy dale restaurant - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Eth Yahana - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪The Hopper Shops - ‬18 min drive

About this property

Wadula Safari Yala

Lakefront guesthouse in Kataragama with a restaurant
There's a restaurant on site. WiFi is free in public spaces. An area shuttle within 200 kilometres and an airport shuttle (available 24 hours) are available for a fee. Wadula Safari Yala also features tour/ticket assistance, a garden, and a picnic area. You'll have access to the outdoor pool at a partner property.

This 3.5-star Kataragama guest house is smoke free.

  • 5 guestrooms or units
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Garden
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • No smoking on site
  • Dining venue
Wadula Safari Yala offers 5 air-conditioned accommodations with complimentary bottles of water and coffee/tea makers. 42-inch flat-screen televisions come with satellite channels. Bathrooms include a shower with a rainfall showerhead, bidets and complimentary toiletries. Additionally, rooms include a ceiling fan and blackout curtains. An iron/ironing board and hairdryers can be requested. A nightly turndown service is provided and housekeeping is offered on a daily basis.

Languages

English

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free offsite parking within 1 mile; reservations required
  • Offsite parking; reservations required
  • 24-hour return airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Area shuttle (surcharge) up to 200 kilometres
  • Beach shuttle (surcharge)

Food and drink

  • Daily continental breakfast available 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: LKR 2,000 to 3,000 for adults and LKR 1,000 to 2,000 for children
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool (guest access)
  • Safari

Family friendly

  • Access to nearby outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Turndown service

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In a national park
  • On a lake
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • No lift

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Bidet
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 42-inch flat-screen TV with satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Iron/ironing board on request

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 9:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 15

Check-out

Check-out before 11:30 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 24 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Guests will receive an email 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • Pets and service animals are not allowed at Wadula Safari Yala

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for LKR 23.0 per night.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for continental breakfast: approximately LKR 2000 to 3000 for adults and LKR 1000 to 2000 for children
  • Airport shuttle fee: LKR 45000 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 3)
  • Rollaway bed fee: LKR 23.0 per night

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system and a first aid kit
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system and a first aid kit in all accommodation.

We should mention

  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • Pets and service animals are not allowed on site.

Property is also known as

Wadula Safari Yala Guesthouse Tissamaharama
Wadula Safari Yala Tissamaharama
Wadula Safari Yala Tissamahar
Wadula Safari Yala Guesthouse
Wadula Safari Yala Kataragama
Wadula Safari Yala Guesthouse Kataragama

Frequently asked questions

Are there any beaches close to Wadula Safari Yala?

The closest beach to Wadula Safari Yala is Palatupana Beach (16.1 km).

Does Wadula Safari Yala serve breakfast?

You bet, continental brekkie is available daily from 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Wadula Safari Yala?

No, but there's an airport shuttle that runs 24 hours a day on request for a fee.

Is there a bar or restaurant at Wadula Safari Yala?

Yep, you can grab a meal at Wadula Safari Yala's onsite restaurant that serves local cuisine.

What time are check-in & check-out at Wadula Safari Yala?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:30 AM.

Are pets allowed at Wadula Safari Yala?

No, pets and service animals are not allowed.

Wadula Safari Yala Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 31 out of 37 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 37 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 37 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 37 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great value in nature

Really nice place surrounded by nature and adjacent to a serene lake. Lots of birds to watch while sipping your tea on your private patio and even the odd visit from neighbhood monkeys. Rooms are clean, with ceiling fan and AC, with very few bugs/mosquitoes inside. The staff are incredibly helpful and kind. They also offer safari from 4 hours to full day at seemingly standard prices. We did a six hour private safari for 31K PP where we saw elephants, mongooses, loads of birds, and even (just about) a leapord. Food is good, simple, traditional vegetarian Sri Lankan cuisine. No fresh coffee and no alcohol served but seemed ok with others bringing their own. The biryani comes with the local buffalo curd which is delicious.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The setting is beautiful with abundant wildlife. The food was superb as were the excellent staff. Highly recommended.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bineth

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everyone was super accommodating, the food was excellent and the area is beautiful truly amazing spot.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Nina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The accommodation was lovely but there’s no where to sit just hard wooden seats. Also the pool wasn’t available. The staff pick you up 2km from the lodges as the road is bad but that means you’re limited in what you can do without a car.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sunjum

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Simon

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amit

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very beautiful place. Very quiet, green and glorious forest around it. The lake next door is beautiful. The sunset from the restaurant was beautiful. One slight issue I found was big red ants in bathroom (didn't come to bedroom and didn't trouble when in bathroom but was concerning). Rest everything was fantastic. Dulaj and Chamita were wonderful hosts
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
the safari was somewhat cool but overly crowded. very annoying
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

yasmatti

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
very nice for one night.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Luc

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location for easy access to a Yala safari. The room was very clean, looked brand new. Great service ans the food was good!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jamie

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mickey

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

highly recommend

an amazing experience. from the pickup on the road to the spectacular diner with candles light
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alessandra

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The room is a spacious cabin and it’s beautiful. There is a nearby lake where we saw wild water buffalo and wild peacocks. The food in the hotel is a little pricey but well worth it. The best vegetable curries I have eaten in Sri Lanka! This hotel is a hidden gem!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ernest

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Ideal place to stay for Yala National Park

At end of a 4x4 dirt trail, the brothers have worked hard during difficult times to create a small high-end eco-friendly resort in the woods where monkeys play and peacocks crow. Recently built modern brick and plaster cottages with a/c face a lagoon lake with a property adjacent to Yala National Park. Service is excellent.
Scene typical of Yala National Park
Romantic Dinner
Foot trail to cottage
Forest cottage
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

meeka

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excellent hotel

This place is wonderful. The 2 brothers really go all out to take care of you. They have a western menu and food is plentiful. The rooms sit in front of a surprise beautiful lake inside the park. Wifi and TV were not expected so glad to have, as well as a spacious bathroom with Toiletries. They picked us up in a tuk tuk and gave door service no where did they lack service. Really nice owners.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Cristian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Little slice of paradise

This was a great location. It was peaceful and secluded. Breakfast was served on the porch. It was delicious. Bed was a little firm.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing stay

Amazing experience. Had a great time - thank you :)
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing place, we saw crocodiles on the lake and could hear elephant at night The service was fantastic, they arranged all the transportation and safari for us Food was absolutely delicious Highly recommend it!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

John

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022

6/10 Okay

Lily

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort

Top location for safari, modern but disappointing

The rooms are lovely and fairly new, only opening in 2019. The finish is excellent and they are set amongst the jungle with a view of the lake. We arrived late in the afternoon so probably did not get to make the most of it. We had to be driven down a dirt track on a Tuk Tuk, about 2km, as the road was not fit for our driver. Jamit was lovely and were were offered freshly made juice on arrival. Good access to safar Whilst the room was spacious, clean and modern there was no storage space which was Ok for a one night stay but might not be ideal for those staying longer. Also the bed was rock hard, very uncomfortable. We had Dinner on site, which was the only option due to the dirt track and general access to the local town. It was a lovely meal of curries and rice, though some of it was cold. It was eaten in a lovely setting under a coconut-leafed hut with paraffin lamps for lights, very intimate. However, in the morning we were given the bill in USD (baring in mind we hadn’t been given a menu or cost) and the meal was 3x what we have paid anywhere else. This was apparently due to the rapid inflation currently in the country. It wasn’t that the food or experience was not worth it, it was just the manner in which it was done. It was unexpected and out of keeping given everywhere else is facing the same issues and whilst we have seen some price increases (which we fully understand) this seemed excessive and due to the lack of other options, opportunistic on their behalf.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Deb

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

amazing !

This place was absolutely amazing. I actually had no idea what i was getting myself into staying in the jungle but it was truly peaceful. it was off the road quite a bit so they took us in a tuk tuk to get to our room. we then traveled a short bit with a flashlight. the room was very clean and actually had all the amenities .
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anne

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Chambre impeccable située dans la forêt tout près de l’entrée du Parc Yala, donc idéal pour les safaris. Le lieu est enchanteur et très bien maintenu. Le souper était très bon.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kirstine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Surrounded by nature and excellent service!

This Yala hotel is pretty new - opened at the end of 2019 and we were some of their first guests because of the pandemic. Each of the huts are built to a high spec, had air conditioning and spacious bathrooms, plus a little terrace at the front for relaxing. It was surreal arriving at the hotel as they arrange their jeep to pick you up from a nearby temple because the road leading to the hotel is a dirt road and too bumpy for regular cars. It was like we were already on safari when we got there as the huts are all in a wooded area and we saw lots of wildlife (monkeys, an eagle, wild boars and deer) leading up the hotel. What made this stay great was the service from staff - they went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and comfortable. They were happy to adjust their dinner menu to vegetarian for me, and provided us with delicious welcome drinks when we arrived and when we got back from our safari. When we commented on the coconut honey used in one drink (with ice cream!) they even brought us a small bottle of honey to take home! We would highly recommend staying here.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anish

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Gem of a hotel within a forest by a lake!

We enjoyed 1 Night in the beautiful cottage surrounded by the jungle and it was excellent, unfortunately due to Covid 19 our trip was cut short so could not enjoy the safari. Dinner near the lake by candlelights just for us. Food was delicious! Breakfast was also good. All in all a memorable stay, higly recommended. The team made a good effort for us and we are very appreciative of this. Definitely will return. Highly recommended.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Unique experience

Super wilderness stay, excellent service from the three lads who worked hard to make our stay comfortable and pleasurable
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019