Wadula Safari Yala, surrounded by the serene lake, offers a peaceful escape. Guests can relax in the garden, enjoy flavorful meals at the restaurant, or access a nearby pool. The guesthouse's distinctive charm leaves a lasting impression on all who stay.
Located in Kataragama, Wadula Safari Yala is in a national park and on a lake. Kataragama Archaeological Museum and Patanangala Tsunami Memorial are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Yala National Park and Lunugamvehera National Park. Kayaking offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and ecotours nearby. Visit our Kataragama travel guide
A garden, car hire on-site and a restaurant are just a few of the amenities provided at Wadula Safari Yala. Guests can connect to free WiFi in public areas.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
Continental breakfast (surcharge), a safari and a round-trip airport shuttle (surcharge)
Smoke-free property and tour/ticket information
Room features
All guest rooms at Wadula Safari Yala have comforts, such as air conditioning, in addition to
More amenities include:
Bathrooms with rainfall showers and bidets
42-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels
Electric kettles, ceiling fans and daily housekeeping
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
Safari
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 within 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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
No pets or service animals allowed
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
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
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
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
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
Frequently asked questions
Is Wadula Safari Yala pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Wadula Safari Yala?
As of 1 Jun 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Wadula Safari Yala on 2 Jun 2026 start from 1.244.901 ₫, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Wadula Safari Yala?
There is free parking nearby.
What time is check-in at Wadula Safari Yala?
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 9:00 PM. After-hours check-in is not available.
What time is check-out at Wadula Safari Yala?
Checkout is at 11:30 AM.
Does Wadula Safari Yala provide a shuttle to the airport?
Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs on request. A fee of LKR 45000 per vehicle applies.
Where is Wadula Safari Yala located?
Situated on a lake, this guesthouse is within 6 miles (10 km) of Yala National Park, Kataragama Archaeological Museum and Kataragama Temple. Sithulpawwa Buddhist Monastery and Sacred Bo Tree are also within 9 miles (15 km).
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Reviews
Wadula Safari Yala Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
Wonderful staff and amazing place to stay. Helped up organize our safari. Food was great and the sunset views can not be beat!
Andrea
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Matthew
6 Jan 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
We had a fantastic stay here, the team were incredibly attentive, flexible and communicative with us, thanks for a great stay!
Matthew
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Mike
25 Feb 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Very nice place and great staff! If you want to experience “living” in the jungle 100% a recommendation! The rooms are large, clean and no bugs and the staff very helpful and friendly!
If I am every around Yala area again then it’s the place I will stay 😎
Mike
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Karen
27 Dec 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Very friendly and helpful staff made our stay in the wilderness a great experience. Nice and clean with good, plentiful food.
The staff here could not be more helpful and friendly. I felt very welcomed and safe. The property sits on a lakefront with abundant wildlife. I enjoy photography and one of the staff kayaked me with my camera around the lake to take photographs of the wildlife. Like I said the service is unparalleled and the food is excellent. The staff is prompt and plans were followed up to the letter. It doesn’t get any better.
James
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Todd
29 Jan 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Amazing, clean, fully appointed “cottages” - the grounds are on the lake which was explosive with wildlife and great views. Right on the fence line of Udawalawe National Park. The food was EXCEPTIONAL and the staff were some of the kindest people we have ever met. (Big hugs to “Chef”!!! They set up an amazing safari for us where we had THREE leopard sightings - beyond our wildest expectations!!
A hidden gem! A beautiful, clean and comfortable cottage right in the middle of the forest, in the heart of nature. Lovely staff and service. They even arranged a last minute safari for me, which was worth it. The restaurant serves organic and fresh meals (veg only) and the view of the lake is spectacular! The host even took us for a walk around the areas and we saw some lovely birds. This place is worth every penny. Highly recommended.
Harmeet
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
SHAY
15 Oct 2025
Amazing wilderness
A real wild experience. The staff is very kind and helpful
The hotel and staff are amazing! They were so attentive to our needs and everything was so clean. The hotel had great communication with us through the Expedia app. We able to meet at a local temple for a late hour pick up. The drive in by jeep as the hotel is on the edge of the park! I can’t wait to go again!
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
The whole experience with Chamith and Dulash was absolutely perfect, from minute 1. Chamit was in contact with us since we left Ella, just to make sure that we were OK and that our arrival to his place was without any incident. We hired 2 safaris, the first one on the day of our arrival and the second one on the next day. And, of course, everything was also perfect.
The food they prepared for us was world-class, including breakfast and dinner.
They were so warm that we felt at home.
And of course, room was pristine when we arrived. Room and all of the rest was clean and neat.
I would stay at Wadula 100 times if needed.
The best service in Sri Lanka!
We stayed one night in this property in the middle of the jungle. The staff is amazing - from pick up, through check in and until check out, they treated us like nowhere in Sri Lanka. They prepared an awsame dinner, took us for an hour tour around the property to explore the wildlife, organized a wonderful safari for us and even brought us things we needed from the shop in the city! The room si super clean and you will find there everything you need.
A couple of practical advices: inform the property before arrival so that they can pick you up. Your driver won’t be able to go that far with the car. Buy the things you need before checking in, going back to the city is not an option in the night. But, you will be privileged to enjoy the wildlife and the nature and see some of the most beautiful scenaries and animals just a couple of steps from your room!
The accommodation is off-roads, 2-3 kms, needing a 4-wheeler drive (which the staff will pick you up on) to access. It is a bit remote, and takes a narrow dirt path, so I recommend arriving before dusk.
The rooms are cute & comfy. There are telephone networks in the property, so Internet isn't an issue.
While getting off the 4-wheeler safari jeep, I missed a step (my fault) and ended up spraining my ankle, hurting my ligament. My ankle was pretty swollen, and I needed help to hop to my cottage. I was pretty bummed out - but, the staff totally turned around the situation for me.
- Chamit and Nisal immediately got us ice & first aid to reduce the swelling.
- They arranged for me to see the nearest doctor (around 10 kms away). Chamit drove us to the doctor. The doctor didn't have an x-ray machine and Chamit drove us another 30 kms to the hospital with the nearest x-ray machine.
Thankfully, I didn't have a fracture and it was just a ligament tear. Chamit drove us back 40 kms to the cottage.
That night's dinner at our cottage was the best food I have ever eaten in Sri Lanka. I was able to go on the safari the next day and see peacocks, alligators, wild buffalos, monkeys, deers and leopard. The food packed by the staff for the trip was delicious.
This story would have been us being stuck in forest land with a swollen ankle not knowing what to do - I deeply owe it to Nisal, Dulaj & Chamit for their calm, patience, kindness & hospitality and being a source of strength!
Sathish
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kim
23 Feb 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Very tranquil place hidden in forest. Comfortable rooms and great food. Need to climb up into a safari ute to access the premises. Lots of wildlife about and a beautiful lake.
Kim
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Monica
23 Feb 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The rooms were comfortable with a/c and hot water showers. The staff were outstanding. They picked us up from the main road in the dark at 11pm in a Safari jeep and they drove us and all our luggage to the lodge, as our driver’s buss would get bogged on the muddy road. The chef was very friendly and cooked delicious food for us. The Safari was exceptional. We got very lucky to see leopards. One of them is called Lucas, a mature male leopard. The king of the jungle. Apparently a rare sight. We also spotted elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, lots of birds and deer. It was a memorable experience.