Leopard Trails

During the grand era of the British dominion, Ceylon was one of the world’s most sought after locations for truly exotic expeditions. Leopard Trails bespoke tented safaris returns to the original spirit and true essence of safari, reminiscent of a golden era – an era of elegance, romance and adventure.

We aim to provide a unique Sri Lankan safari experience in spectacular solitude and soothing comfort – with only the canvas walls of your tent separating you from the wonders of our remarkable bio diversity.At dusk, return from your evening safari and make your way to our jungle bar.

Fill your heart and soul with good drink and good company while you bear witness to Mother Nature’s masterpiece – the jungle orchestra!

Yet while you enjoy the luxurious air-conditioned canvas tents, the curated local dining experience and the authentic ambiance of a tented camp, what truly sets Leopard Trails apart is our team of internationally qualified and locally experienced safari guides; a team that is often described by returning guests as the best in the business.

Accommodation

Deluxe Tents

-The tent has both air conditioning and fans.
-Queen size beds (arranged as double or twin)
-Bedside tables
-Dressing tables
-Luggage racks
-Towel racks
-Fresh linen
-Bathrobes, towels and bath amenities
-Water bottles and mosquito repellent
-Fans
-Charging points for phones and cameras
-Flush-able toilet, and sink within bathroom area of tent
-Your own personal outdoor shower with hot and cold water (at rear of tent)
-Additional beds and baby cots may be placed in the tent
-Total tent footprint of 300 sqft including verandah

Leopard Trails Suite

Ideal for families and those that require a little bit of extra luxury. These tents come equipped with

-Similar facilities as the classic mobile tents. In addition
-The tent has both air conditioning and fans.
-Flush-able toilet, dual sinks, and shower (with hot and cold water) are all within the bathroom area of the tent.
-Total tent footprint of 700 sqft including verandah (the much larger square footage makes it ideal for families or groups that are sharing)

Location

If viewing a diverse array of wildlife is at the top of your agenda then Yala national park is the place to visit. The vegetation consists of scrub jungle, lakes, and brackish lagoons to riverine habitat. Is one of the most visited national parks in the country and is divided into 5 Blocks and it is Block 1 which covers over 14,000 hectares that is most frequently traversed.

Yala’s main draw is the leopard and it is said to be one of best places in the world to view leopards. It has been theorized that Yala may have the highest density of leopards in the world. However, on a safari with Leopard Trails we make it a point to showcase the diversity of wildlife that Yala has to offer. On a two night stay it is possible to spot and identify over a 100 species of birds. The density of mugger crocodiles within Yala is also quite an underrated feature of the park. Yala is also one of the better places in Sri Lanka to come across tusked elephants.

At the end of the North-east Monsoon (February), the park is also very good for butterflies. There are 2 main rivers flowing through Yala, the Manik Ganga and the Kumbukkan Oya and these two rivers serve as the lifeline to the park during the drier months.

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Chena Huts by UGA Escapes

In Sri Lanka’s deep south, the rustic farming villages round Tissamaharama are divided from the teeming animal and bird life of Yala, Sri Lanka’s oldest and second-largest natural reserve, by a belt of semi-protected Jungle running down to the sea. For centuries, people here have farmed small clearings in the forest called chena, sleeping beside their crops in modest huts to protect them from hungry elephants.
Here today, nestling among dunes and trees at the ocean’s edge, you will find Chena Huts, the latest addition to Uga Escapes’ portfolio of luxury hotels. Overlooking a beach where sea-turtles come to lay eggs by moonlight and elephants wander down from the nearby forest to play in the surf, Chena Huts is fringed on one landward side by tropical jungle and on the other by a saline lake where ibises, painted storks and even flamingos may be seen, wading in the shallows.
For guests at Chena Huts, easy access to these natural wonders involves no compromise with comfort or good taste. At this small, select property, the “huts’ are in fact luxurious detached, private cabins offering fine views of the surrounding wilderness and seascape.

Accommodation

To intensify the wilderness experience, this spacious Tacre property accommodates only fourteen 1130 sq ft cabins. This includes a 781 sq ft climate controlled living space. Exteriors, featuring design cues from the vernacular architecture of the region, are designed to harmonize with the jungle environment; interiors gently emphasize the ‘safari theme, with log furniture and rustic motifs that belie the ultra-modern comfort and convenience within
Each of these well-appointed cabins offered on all inclusive basis contains of a living room, bedroom, en suite bathroom and shaded outdoor deck with built-in plunge pool and an outdoor shower. The luxurious bathrooms feature free-standing bathtubs and His and Hers vanity consoles.

Location

Surrounded by unspoilt wilderness, Chena Huts is well off the beaten track, lying at the end of a specially-built road that connects with the main Tissamaharama-Yala highway a few minutes from the Yala park entrance. It is 315km from Colombo’s international airport and 26km from Tissamaharama, the nearest town. This is a place to get away from it all, to observe the magnificent profusion of wildlife and commune closely with nature.

Restaurant & Bar

Taking its name from the nearby reefs and lighthouse, famed in seafaring history and lore, the Basses restaurant is decorated to an appropriately nautical theme and features urbane dining in a spectacularly setting overlooking the Indian ocean. The Bar, filled with memorabilia that illustrate the history of Yala and its environs, is the perfect venue for a post-safari drink before dinner. Chena Huts also consists of a poolside bar (concealed behind a waterfall).

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