The Most Romantic Glamps In Sri Lanka
A warm fire, the smell of freshly fallen leaves, gazing up at a starry night sky. These are some of the more romantic moments of camping outdoors with your significant other. Now add a plush double bed, hot water, champagne and air conditioning— this is camping redefined!
It is no secret that camping is one of the best ways to experience Sri Lanka’s beautiful outdoors and the island has a myriad of vistas to choose from – the blue waters of Kalpitiya beach, the mountains in Knuckles, the wild wilderness of the country’s many national parks. However, not everyone wants to have a completely rustic experience, and that is ok. If you like the outdoors, but also enjoy being pampered, check out one of Sri Lanka’s many glamping sites which bring luxury into the heart of the wilderness.
Leopard Trails, Yala
Yala is Sri Lanka’s second-largest national park and is considered one of the country’s must-visit destinations. Found on the south coast of the island, the Yala National Park hugs a golden strip of beach and sprawls across the Southern and Uva Provinces. This park offers some excellent sightings as it is home to creatures like elephants, leopards and sloth bears, but also, monkeys, crocodiles and deer.
Leopard Trails have set their camp on the outskirts of the park but are still surrounded by wilderness. Enjoy all the thrills of the jungle but retire back to your lavish, comfortable tent, where the Leopard Trails team will organise cocktails and a barbeque around the campfire.
Best time to visit: January – May.
Kulu Safaris, Wilpattu
Wilpattu National Park is situated on the north-west coast of the island and it is the country’s largest national park. Wilpattu gets its name from its many ‘willus’, lakes and tanks, that are scattered around the park. The vegetation here is different from that of Yala, as the jungle is more forest-like rather than dry shrub jungle. Enjoy the lush greenery, many bodies of water and its exotic inhabitants like elephants and leopards.
Wilpattu gets fewer visitors than Yala and this makes for a more romantic and intimate experience. Kulu Safaris aims to keep their camps as green as possible and are situated away from other parks to ensure that you can enjoy the wild in a more tranquil setting.
Best time to visit: February – October.
Dolphin Beach Resort, Kalpitiya
Kalpitiya is one of Sri Lanka’s most underrated beaches. This small fishing village is found on the north-west coast of the island, and is an ecological goldmine. Kalpitiya is famed for its unique geographical features; the main town is a spit of land that has the ocean on one side and a lagoon on the other and it has several small islands with thick mangrove forests. Visit Kalpitiya for some excellent whale watching opportunities and watersports like windsurfing.
Best time to visit: October – May
Wild Glamping, Knuckles
Camping in the Knuckles Mountain Range is a completely different experience. Rather than going on safaris and spotting animals, Knuckles is perfect for long walks and fascinating hikes. This UNESCO World Heritage Site of 34 mountains sheathed in a thick layer of verdant cloud forests is extremely idyllic and far away from city life.
Wild Glamping is far from regular camping and is a rather luxurious outdoor experience. The campsite has ten ‘tents’ perched on the foothills of a large mountain and has a stunning view of the valley below.
Best time to visit: June – September.
These cosy glamping sites are a wonderful way to experience the Sri Lankan wilderness. Glamps allow you to be consumed by nature but also gives you the promise of ultimate luxury— and is there anything more romantic than that?
