From the sea to safari in Sri Lanka: a luxury stay at Uga Chena Huts

Sri Lanka is known for its luxurious resorts in dramatic locations. Perhaps none is as captivating as Uga Chena Huts, a dreamy jungle escape set between the Indian Ocean and Yala National Park

Sri Lanka is one of those countries that steals your heart, from its aromatic cuisine to its charming locals, its vast wilderness parks to its postcard-perfect beaches. All this and more await when you check in to Uga Chena Huts, a necklace of 18 impeccably designed private cabins strung through the jungle on the country’s southeast coast.

A Yala experience like no other

Welcome to Yala, a heart-slowing destination enveloped by the Indian Ocean on one side, and national parkland on the other.

Yala National Park deserves its reputation as Sri Lanka’s most significant wildlife sanctuary, a beguiling patchwork of forest, grassland and lagoons that is a protected preserve for all manner of animals – more than 215 species, in fact.

Think leopards – it’s home to one of the highest population densities of these big cats in the world – elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles, not to mention hundreds of bird species. Rangers here take conservation seriously, as you’ll discover on a safari from Uga Chena Huts.

Jump in a 4WD with your eagle-eyed guides to explore at sunrise or sunset, when the residents are most active, visiting a wide variety of biomes – perhaps forests then wetlands, and even sandy beaches where the only footprints are those left behind by the animals. 

The magic of Uga Chena Huts

It’s a magical experience, made all the more memorable by the fact that you get to return to Uga Chena Huts after your safari, to relive your day of animal sightings.

The 18 cabins at the resort are like jungle cocoons, inspired by local architecture and hidden across lush gardens that offer plenty of space and seclusion. The light-filled spaces feature subtle safari themes, with natural materials and earthy colours that nod to your surrounds. Across living and sleeping areas every mod-con has been thought of. And while it might be hard to tear yourself away, you’ll want to spend most of your time in your private plunge pool, overlooking the green expanse that surrounds, and beyond to the Indian Ocean. 

Fine dining, Uga Chena style

Dining also makes the most of Yala’s natural assets, with Basses restaurant a breezy affair crafted from natural timbers. There’s not much that you can’t order here, depending on your mood, from gourmet wood-fired pizzas and pastas to traditional Sri Lankan curries and regional specialities. For that romantic dinner interlude, opt for your table to be set up under a canopy of stars beside the beach, alongside an atmospheric bonfire.

When you’re not on safari, there are plenty of other diversions to indulge in. Drive with a guide to Sithulpawwa, a former Buddhist monastery in the heart of Yala National Park, which dates back to the 2nd century BC. Or sign-up for a drive to a secret spot among the wilderness for sundowners with a view. We wouldn’t blame you for just blissing out in the spa, which makes the most of aromatic Sri Lankan herbs and spices in its treatments – turmeric and sandalwood body wrap, anyone?

Book your stay at Sri Lanka’s Uga Chena Huts today!