[title size=”2″]There’s camping. And then there’s jungle camping.[/title]Sri Lanka is popular among tourists worldwide for scenic beauty, sandy beaches, tropical sunshine, ancient culture and the cool climes of the hill country. No doubt, this is all available in ready-made tour packages.
But what about the hidden jungles, the wildlife, the jungle trails, the hikes, mountain climbs, the unexplored or undeveloped ancient cultural sites? These are the real wonders of Sri Lanka. And they should be seen.
To experience these wonders one has to take the path less travelled. That’s where Ella Jungle Camping comes in. To assist the nature lover and the adventurous.
Spending the night in a jungle with luxury comforts is not a dream. Enter our Hotel in the Wild – a Sri Lankan product with the best quality materials made by our own people.
The chirps of the birds will provide the music and the millions of shining stars will provide disco lights for your dinner table.
Comfortable sleeping arrangements are supplemented with a bedside tool.
There are comfortable chairs with floor cushions in the living area. A coffee table and baggage rack – just like a hotel. There is an attached bathroom and toilet with running water. It’s lovely inside but you could also kick back and relax in the fully furnished living area outside the tent.
Welcome to your home in the jungle. You will be provided with all the comforts of home so that your stay in the jungle is a pleasure. Our tents are water and insect proof with ample space. Plus there are separators inside the tents that provide privacy if needed. Comfortable sleeping arrangements with raised beds and mattresses with clean, quality linen will be arranged in most pleasing manner … nighty night.
Camping Commodes with pipe-born water are close to your tent. Plus a covered bath area with showers and running water. Since most of our campsites are set up close to the water sources, you are free to have an Al-fresco bath.
[title size=”3″]Camping Locations[/title]
Located 12 km from Ella Town, nearby the famous Ella Gap. Ella Jungle Resort lies on the main road, the A23, between the towns of Ella and Wellawaya. If you are travelling by car directly from Colombo, please expect a 7-8 journey depending on your vehicle and traffic. We are in the process of setting up road signage so please keep your eyes open for our entrance while enroute.
Our Entrance is at the Café on the Bend Restaurant, a tall, double story, glass building with gravel parking lot. The camping site is bordering Kirindi oya and also 07 waterfalls available within the property including giant Warakara waterfall.
[title size=”3″]Food & Beverages[/title]
Your lunch will include a typical Sri Lanka meal with a taste of local spices. On your return to the campsite after your evening safari or walk / cycle ride, a delicious five course dinner including a hearty BBQ will be waiting for you. Before your dinner you will be welcomed with a glass of cold beer or a local sprit.
Your breakfast will be an american breakfast with a local touch. All the local food will be prepared in front of you. Our experienced chefs will delight your taste buds.
[title size=”3″]Excursions & Activities[/title]
Why not do some things you’ve never done before and experience those wonderful moments of here and now that come with high adventure. How about a mountain biking tour though the jungle to a local village and warm hospitality? Maybe help harvest wild bee honey. Or plough the paddy fields with the cows. Or not.
There’s waterfall adventures, high rope course, low rope course, zipper line, toddy tappers’ walk and monkey rope – all thrilling adventure experiences available right here at the resort. You’ll be assisted by our expert facilitators and guides as required because your safety is taken seriously here at Ella Jungle Resort.
Nature & Adventure Trek
Warakara waterfall is located near the border of Ella Jungle resort. To reach it you’ll have a wonderfull twenty-minute trek.
Halfway up to the waterfall you can participate in some hair-raising adventure activities like canyoning and our confidence jump. How about a short safe slide down the waterfall into the pool?
To ensure your safety we insist that one of our facilitators be with you during these activities.
At the top of the waterfall is the most exotic natural pool. Have a swim and kick back. Have a snack and maybe a short snooze. Listen to that waterfall … wonderful.
It’s a good idea to begin your trek between 7 am and 8 am – super bird watching at this time. However, you can go whenever you please as long as our trekking guides are available. And most always, they are.
Rate per person: USD 15
Bird Watching at Ella Jungle
Ella is internationally popular among bird watchers because there are a variety of endemic species you will surely encounter.
We supply the binoculars if you don’t have a pair.
Look for Hornbills (pictured) Peacocks, Woodpeckers, Babblers, Barbets, Flycatchers, Minivit, Chestnut Headed Bee-Eaters and Hill Mynas.
Ella Jungle Resort offers bird watching treks with the assistance of a local naturalist who knows our birds and where to locate them.
It’s best to start the watching early morning (6 am) or early evening (4:30 pm) as this is the best time to see so many endemic species.
Bird watching at Ella Jungle Resort lasts 45 minutes or so. Or much longer if you really get into it and our guess is, you will.
Rate per person: USD 15
Adventure Activity Package
Accessing the resort through rough terrain in a 4WD and cable car or jungle trek itself is an adventure experience for anybody.
to extend further excitement in adventure this adventure circuit consisting of six activities designed for adventure beginners, both adults and kids aiming to develop and enhances the spirit of adventure which is inherent in all human beings. Also, inculcate self-reliance and confidence … including those magical moments of ‘here & now’ … that let your spirit fly.
During this adventure circuit you are crossing the “Kirindi Oya” twice….cross the river through the toddy tapper and coming back through the zipline to the resort. In between those activities…..you come a cross rope climbing or swing ladder for sixty feet, log walk, commando net and tarzan jump.
When in demanding situations, the mind stops. We have created such moments…… through above adventure activities. Do things you have never done before and experience the wonderful moments of Here and Now that come when the mind has no place to go … or space to function.
Cycling tour to Ella Sightseeing
First, you will cycle to the majestic Ravana Ella (Ravana Falls) It is located near the village of Udunuwara. This will take about half an hour.
Then on to Ravana Cave, 1,370 meters above sea level – about a 15-minute ride. You will have to climb at approx. 700 steps to reach the cave. Phew. The cave is connected to many tunnels believed
to have been made by Ravana himself.
It is believed to be one of several places where Ravana hid a lovely Indian Princess Sita after abducting her. Recently a 20,000-year-old skull was discovered in the cave. Wow.
Then just a short cycle to Ella gap – a deep 3,000 ft. a valley which frames an incredible view reaching as far as Yala National Park.
On a really clear day the lighthouse at Hambantota can be seen – yes, that’s the ocean way over there.
Rate per person: USD 35
Cycling to Buduruwagala
Buduruwagala Archaeological site is about 5 km past Wellawaya on the Thanamalwila road. You will be downhill most of the way.
The name Buduruwagala means “the rock with the statue of Buddha” And this is exactly what it is. Seven figures are carved in this rock plus a massive 51 foot Buddha statue.
Although there is no documented information about this site in the ancient scriptures, different historians have dated these statues from the 6th century to the late Anuradhapura period (between the 8th and 10th century). These carvings are in the Mahayana Buddhist style and belong to the Pallawa Sri Lankan art tradition.
From here we will 4WD you back to the resort.
Rate per person: USD 35
Abseiling at Polgahaamuna
Polgahaamuna waterfall located at the edge of Ella Jungle Resort, it comprises three beautiful waterfall views and a natural pool.
During the trek to the waterfall, you will pass many beautiful paddy fields, streams and trees. You will even encounter a Bodhi Tree, like the one the Buddha sat under. No, not THE one, but one similar…..Sit under it for a while. Hey, you never know.
Enjoying the view of a stunning Waterfall is already amazing but abseiling takes this adventure far beyond the limits of normal sightseeing. The intense and powerful feeling of the water combined with the fact that you are hanging on a rope and that there is nothing but water beneath and above will give adrenalin push as you have never experienced before.
Waterfall Abseiling is an ideal adventure activity to test your confidence.
Of course, there are decks arranged for Yoga, Meditation or Music. Or just for being. Not this or that, just being
