Chena Huts is a luxury safari lodge, set only a few minutes from the gate of Yala National Park, on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Although the exterior design is inspired by the huts used by local farmers, its interiors have been transformed into an innovative space that exudes stylish luxury. Backed by a tropical jungle and fronting a saline lagoon and overlooking the Indian Ocean, it provides easy access to the surrounding national parks and sea activities.
Nestling among 7-acres of sand dunes and trees, Chena Huts by Uga Escapes, offers just 14 individual cabins. Each of the spacious huts are set on stilts, to create a minimum impact on the environment, and beautifully furnished with views of the jungle and the sea. The Basses restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating, serves delicious European and Sri Lankan cuisine. While the adjacent bar makes a fitting spot for sundowners and candlelit dinners.
Guests at the Chena Huts take twice daily game drives to the Yala National Park with one of the highest leopard population densities in the world, and over 200 species of birds. Guests can also enjoy whale watching from Mirissa, or visit the Bundala National Park for bird watching or the nearby Kataragama, a popular Buddhist & Hindu shrine. Back at the lodge, relax in the green-hued pool or at the Uga spa for a massage, scrub or reflexology treatment.
Stay Chena Huts comprises of just 14 huts. All are spacious (71 sqm) and elegantly designed and furnished with king size beds draped in fine linen, wooden floors, thatched roofs and glass walls. Each hut has its own large outdoor deck with private plunge pool with sun loungers and open plan bathrooms with twin vanities and free-standing bath. In-room facilities include air conditioning, a comfortable circular sofa, desk and chair, minibar, LED TV, tea and coffee facilities.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Chena Huts but there are no specific facilities available for children. A maximum of 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 12 can share the Cabins.
Dine Set atop a raised platform the glass-walled Basses restaurant at the Chena Huts where all meals are served in an air-conditioned environment or al fresco on the deck. Breakfast is a mix of European and local dishes with fresh fruits, juices and an omelette station. Lunch and dinner includes fine dining set menus with a couple of European-style entree and dessert options. There’s an open-air sunken ocean-facing bar that serves a wide range of cocktails and other alcoholic drinks.
Relax Set in a clearing ringed by low-rise trees, Chena Huts has an outdoor heated swimming pool and guests can also bathe in the waterfall that tumbles down from above the bar. For ultimate relaxation, there is a full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials.
Experience Activities at the Chena Huts include a morning and evening game drive into the Yala National Park, home to leopards, sloth bears, elephants, crocodiles and numerous species of birds. Some 35km away is Bundala National Park, a major wintering ground for migratory birds. Further afield is Mirissa (2-3 hours' drive), known for whale watching or visit the nearby Kataragama, a popular Buddhist & Hindu shrine. Other activities include village walks, cycling and fishing.
Feb-Jul
30°C
CMB
GMT+ 5.3
Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
Location Chena Huts is located off the beaten track, a few minutes from the entrance of Yala National Park.
Getting there Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is the sole international airport in Sri Lanka and is located about 30km north of the city. Transfer times vary depending on your safari itinerary. Yala National Park is approximately 6/7 hours from Colombo.
When to go Sri Lanka is a year-round destination with consistently warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. There are two monsoon seasons but they only bring rain to the west and south-west coasts from May to September; and the east coast and northern region between October and February. The rest of the year is sunny and dry but the months of December to April are probably the best time to visit. Colombo and the low-lying coastal regions have an average temperature of 27°C.
Destination
Wildlife Parks, Sri LankaHotel Type
Tented CampLocation Type
Remote
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