The Mudhouse is an eco-friendly, rustic retreat, set near Anamaduwa in the rural northwest of Sri Lanka. Originally built as a private home by Kumar, he soon saw commercial advantage in opening this wonderful natural setting to guests who would like an authentic village experience. Set amidst 60 acres of wilderness by a tranquil lake, and blessed with abundant birdlife, wildlife and natural beauty, The Mudhouse is a private and seductive forest retreat, far from the beaten track.
Accommodation at the Mudhouse is in five clusters of mud-walled houses, spread across a large expanse of forest. Each of these are uniquely designed and built entirely from natural materials. Expect thatched roofs, large open-sided bedrooms with simple but comfortable beds and bathrooms with outdoor showers. There is no electricity or hot water and the rooms are lit with oil lamps at night. The result is a marmite feeling – you’ll either get out of it, or you will absolutely love it!
Each of the huts will have bicycles to get around the vast Mudhouse property. Delicious meals are delivered to your hut or you can choose to eat in the communal dining area around a camp fire. The highlight here is the surrounding landscape; a naturalist's dream with fantastic bird life and beautiful butterflies everywhere. This is refined simplicity, with beautiful attention to detail and an overall atmosphere of peace and calm. To stay here is to get a glimpse of real life in rural Sri Lanka.
Amenities
ConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomGardenLibraryMultilingual StaffRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesWi-Fi AvailableStay The Mudhouse is a collection of six rusty, thatched huts. Constructed entirely from natural materials, these are set in four clusters, each offering a private village in the jungle with a selection of huts for sleeping, dining and lazing. All huts have a selection of double beds with mosquito nets, en-suite western toilets and outdoor jungle showers. This is refined simplicity, with beautiful attention to detail and an overall atmosphere of peace and calm.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at the Mudhouse in Anamaduwa, Sri Lanka but there are no specific facilities available for children.
Dine All meals are included in the rate during your stay at the Mudhouse. Expect delicious Sri Lankan cuisine prepared the traditional way, using clay pots and firewood. The seasonal menu varies daily, depending on the fresh ingredients available in its own organic farm. Breakfast is usually a mix of Western and Sri Lankan favourites such as eggs, hoppers, pancakes as well as fresh fruit, toast and jam. Chicken, fish or vegetable curries are served for lunch and dinner.
Relax There are plenty of spaces within the jungle and hammocks for day-time relaxation. There is a purpose-built yoga pavilion, located on an island in the private lake with beautiful views of both the sunrise and sunsets. There is no Yoga instructor but it is designed for yoga teachers and groups who may like to conduct their classes here.
Experience The Anamaduwa region around the Mudhouse is predominantly flat with the exception of a handful of rocky outcrops and a vast network of man-made ‘tanks’ (lakes), used to irrigate the paddy fields. The many activities on offer to explore this serene landscape include nature walks, guided birdwatching, cycling and kayaking in the lakes. Cultural sites include 1 B.C. Tonigla Rock Inscription and Yapahuwa, the 13th-century palace built on a 90-metre-high rock in the Sigirya style.
Location The Mudhouse is located north of the international airport, close to the town of Anamaduwa. The drive to either Kandy or Colombo is only two and a half hours. Furthermore, it is en-route from Colombo or the airport to the ‘Cultural Triangle’, making it ideal to visit on your way to or from the famous ancient sites at Sigiriya, Anuradhapura and Dambulla.
Getting there Fly to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. The Mudhouse is a 2-hour drive north of the international airport.
When to go From May to August the Yala monsoon brings rain to the island’s southwestern half, while the dry season here lasts from December to March. There is also an inter-monsoonal period in October and November when rain can occur in many parts of the island. Colombo and the low-lying coastal regions have an average temperature of 27°C.
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