Banyan Lodge, Udawalawe

Private room in earthen home in Moneragala, Sri Lanka

  1. 6 guests
  2. 1 bedroom
  3. 6 beds
  4. 1 private bath
Hosted by Souhaine And Vijayanthi
  1. Superhost
  2. 14 years hosting

Listing highlights

Self check-in

You can check in with the building staff.

Peace and quiet

Guests say this home is in a quiet area.

Garden and lake views

Soak up the views during your stay.
ACCOMMODATION ON FULL BOARD BASIS.

Lake front location where humans are few & nature is plenty. Only one of its kind on the island, built using Champagne & Wine bottles, up-cycled doors, windows, Dutch roof tiles, en suite shower & toilet, accommodate up to 4 people. Everything from scavenged doors, windows to driftwood furniture, re-used bottles, re-invented trucks even local food fare in the delicate art of simplicity.

If calendar shows full, write us to check availability, we have 3 units

The space
Discovered by a passionate nature enthusiast who stumbled upon the property at the height of the Sri Lankan Civil War and was inspired to put together an eco friendly nook, which offers a slice of unperturbed nature in spite of the chaos around. Today, it offers its peace to the traveler looking to escape the chaos of city life. Banyan Camp is set on the banks of Lake Hambegamuwa, in the landscape of a jungle and is a place where nature has not been rearranged by the hands of man. 

Located within close proximity to the Udawalawe National Park, Banyan Camp offers a wide choice of experiences whether you wish to indulge in its rustic setting or step out into the wilderness. Its location gives easy accessibility to Yala National Park, Ella Gap, Sinharaja & Arugam Bay.

The rustic camp is built with harvested timber, recycled doors & windows, Palmyra leaf roof, mortar floors & walls. Lanterns provide a warm glow to the place instead of electricity. The shower & toilet have running water.

Providing accommodation on full board basis (which includes all three meals), the staff of Banyan Camp is geared to offer unobtrusive assistance in preparation of food, setting up a bonfire & carrying out housekeeping functions that offer you creature comforts that preserve the luxury of being on holiday. The Camp is listed as Entire home/apt however, you may share the Camp with other guests kindly keep us informed if you would prefer exclusivity. We have good internet coverage and mobile reception.

Enjoy a book under the shade of a banyan tree or walk away in any direction & enjoy the pleasure of a trek along the property that extends over 15 acres with borders that melt into the lake, where you will be greeted by over 20 varieties of birds & other species of wildlife. Banyan Camp is a destination choice that offers a wealth of space to conduct yoga, meditation camps etc Canoes, fishing, nature trails, Elephant safaris & Leopard safaris can be arranged on request.

Banyan Camp awaits you for your next Personal / Group retreat, Meditation camp, Bird watching excursion Nature trail. Or call / email our retreat planner to guide you in designing your experience.

Guest access
The Camp is listed as Private Room there is no bedroom as such as sleeping is open plan however, there is privacy and you may keep us informed if you would prefer exclusivity, depending on the time of the year and the number of guests we will be able to accommodate your request.

Other things to note
Accommodation is on a full board basis, includes lunch, dinner and breakfast. Please note that we do not serve or allow meat on the premises. Coffee and thambili (king coconut) are available at an additional charge. Kindly note that we do not provide Wi-Fi facilities, we do not have hot water and Air Conditioning.

In Banyan Lodge sleeping areas are open plan, we ensure there is privacy hence the sleeping areas are on the top floor in two sections, one on either side of the house separated by a bridge so you will not be sharing the sleeping area with other guests. Only the common areas below- the lounge and dining, is shared. Alternatively, our Lodges- Champagne, Wine and Mercedes Lodges all independent units offer more privacy.

Where you’ll sleep

What this place offers

Garden view
Lake view
Waterfront
Kitchen
Free parking on premises
Unavailable: Carbon monoxide alarm
Unavailable: Smoke alarm

Select check-in date

Add your travel dates for exact pricing

Rated 4.89 out of 5 from 381 reviews.

Guest favorite
This home is a guest favorite based on ratings, reviews, and reliability

Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 92% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 6% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 1% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 1% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars for value

Guest reviews mention

Where you’ll be

Moneragala, Uva Province, Sri Lanka

Udawalawe National Park: Famous for the Sri Lankan elephant and a variety of mammals and bird life.
Udawalawe Elephant transit home where orphaned elephants are rehabilitated for release in to the wild, visitors are allowed at feeding times.
Nature Trails & Bird watching: With acres of forest and lakes, barring a few small self-sufficient villages, the area is a haven for endemic species for avid birdwatchers.
Mini Sigiriya: A moderate climb up a rock face similar in shape to the Sigiriya rock, for a beautiful panoramic view.
Udawalawe River: A day trip to a fantastic stream, know to a few. Lunch on site.
Star Gazing: Having little or no light pollution, Banyan Camp is perfect for star gazing, the milky way is visible on clear nights.
Fishing: in the Hambegamuwa Lake
Yala National Park: The second largest national park in Sri Lanka, has the highest concentration of Leopards in the world is also home to elephants, bears, large variety of land and water birds among others.
Historical Sights: Buduruvagala Temple – 10th century complex consists of seven statues and belongs to the Mahayana school of thought. This statue of the Buddha is regarded as the tallest in the world.

Meet your host

Superhost
1,329 reviews
4.88 out of 5 average rating
14 years of hosting
Speaks English
Lives in Colombo, Sri Lanka
.

Souhaine And Vijayanthi is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Co-hosts

  • Ashan

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
To help protect your payment, always use Airbnb to send money and communicate with hosts.

Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in: 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Checkout before 11:00 AM
6 guests maximum
Safety & property
No carbon monoxide alarm
No smoke alarm
Nearby lake, river, other body of water