Safari Tentalow in Siyambalanduwa

"What an amazing time we had at yala safari camping! The place is magical - completely immersed in the jungle, with trees as far as the eye can see and the mountains in the distance. Our « tent » (it’s not really a tent, definitely more like a luxury cabin) was in front of a lily pad pond and the sounds of the frogs made it a super relaxing place to sleep. When we arrived we were immediately greeted by the friendly staff and served a Sri Lankan meal with vegetable curries and jumbo prawns which was delicious. We then went on our first safari half day with Achi in block 5 where we spotted elephants, a leopard and plenty of monkeys, deers and various birds. The next day, we went to a full day drive on block 1 with Niro, and we loved how he spent time showing us various birds - from eagles to egret, kingfishers and bee-eaters - he had a keen eye to spot and we were fascinated with all that we discovered in the jungle. We even saw another leopard walking peacefully down the road, a family of elephants bathing, a malabar pied horn bill, painted storks, mongooses, monitor lizards, deer, grey langurs, and even Sri Lankan’s national animal the giant squirrel. On our last day, we went on a bush walk with Chamara, and walked through the forest and climbed a small mountain to get incredible views. Overall Ravi and his team gave us an unforgettable experience and were lovely, attentive and kind with great attention to detail across everthing. Definitely one to remember and return to!"

"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."

"Incredible place to spend a few nights while we enjoyed the peace and serenity as well as two safaris. The food was the best we had during our stay in Sri Lanka and the staff was incredible as well. "

"A special place close to Yala that makes you feel like you’re in the park. Small staff was so friendly and lovely, and I felt well taken care of. Delicious meals—often candlelit and with an outdoor grill. Room was air conditioned and well appointed, despite the jungle setting. Only caution: there probably will be some wildlife in your bathroom! They also organized my safaris in the park, as well as pick ups and drop-offs, which I appreciated."

"Almost a year since our last visit to this magnificent beach house. Such a glorious setting with a great little pool surrounded by so many tall palm trees all fenced off from the deserted beach at the edge of the property. This hotel is really quiet and peaceful taking only a maximum of eight guests at any one time. It is remote but still easily accessible by tuk tuk to nearby towns though you’ll be hard pressed to match the candlelit dinners served in the evenings on the veranda; the cuisine is first class as is the warm hospitality. This is a truly atmospheric location. Many thanks to Hasif the manager and Malik the chef and the rest of the small team for making our stay so enjoyable, especially the delicious birthday cake for my wife! So thoughtful."

"Great stay here. Food options are limited, but great for a night or two. "

"This was one of the worst hotel experiences I’ve ever had. The room itself was dirty—stained bed sheets, no duvet - just a thin sheet, plugs falling off the walls with exposed wiring, clumps of dust and towels that were old and fraying at the edges. There wasn’t even a bottle of water in the room. The worst part? They gave us a room that was already occupied by another guest. Imagine walking into what you think is your room, only to find someone else already there. It was deeply embarrassing and unsettling, and yet there was no apology from the staff. To add to the frustration, when I asked for a spare room key as I was sharing a room with a family member, receptionist told me she’d already given one to the other guest and when I explained that I needed my own as I had a few plans on my own, she rolled her eyes before finally handing over a card—begrudgingly. The corridors were pitch black, with no lighting whatsoever, making it dangerous to walk through. Worse still, the only way to get to the first floor was via an open staircase. When it rained, the floor became slippery, and with no warning signs, it was a complete hazard. The entire experience felt unsafe, unprofessional, and deeply unpleasant. The standards of this hotel had gone downhill significantly. "

"Great stay at a beautiful property, so nice to unplug and relax. "

"Great stay at Roccos. Staff was great. Quiet as it was the end of the surfing season. Will go there again."