The South - Sri Lanka - page 304

Accommodation at this rural idyll consists of basic but clean rooms in the main house and
a handful of comfortable, vaguely alpine-style cottages in the gardens. There's a small lake
on the grounds; wildlife abounds. The owners are a Swiss-Sri Lankan couple who met
through his work as a driver recommended in an earlier edition of this guidebook.
Kirinda Beach Resort HOTEL
( 077 020 0897; www.yalawildlifebeachresortsrilanka.com ; r from $100; )
Located 1km west of town, this quirky compound is right on a dramatic stretch of beach.
Gaze upon the pounding surf from the uniquely elevated swimming pool, then enjoy a
meal in the large, airy cafe before retiring to a comfortable room in either a wood chalet or
earthy mud hut. It's a good area for riding the free bikes.
Elephant Reach RESORT
( 077 106 5092; www.elephantreach.com ; Yala Jct;r US$100-120; )
The stylish communal areas at this small resort have a free-form style that fits the rustic
setting. Rooms include huge showers, stone floors, hemp curtains and TVs. Outside, the
large pool curls like a water snake around the gardens. Avoid rooms in the down-market
rear.
Getting There & Away
There is a bus from Tissa to Kirinda every half-hour or so (Rs 30); a three-wheeler is Rs
600.
Yala National Park
With monkeys crashing through the trees, peacocks in their finest frocks, elephants am-
bling about and cunning leopards sliding like shadows through the undergrowth, Yala Na-
tional Park (also known as Ruhunu) is the Jungle Book brought to glorious life. This vast
region of dry woodland and open patches of grasslands is the big draw of this corner of Sri
Lanka. A safari here is well worth all the time, effort, crowds and cost.
Sights