REVIEW: UGA CHENA HUTS, SRI LANKA- WILDERNESS WRAPPED IN LUXURY
There are places that make you pause—truly pause. To breathe differently, see more clearly, feel more deeply. Uga Chena Huts, tucked away at the untamed edge of Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park, is one of those rare places. A sanctuary that quiets not only the jungle around you but also the noise within.
I arrived at Uga Chena Huts from Galle—a coastal, colonial-era town in Sri Lanka where time lingers lovingly among Dutch ramparts and narrow cobblestone streets. The three-hour scenic drive took me through rice paddies, sleepy villages, and wild stretches of nature that hinted at the adventure ahead.
From the moment I stepped onto the grounds, it felt as though I had entered a different dimension—where time slowed, the air thickened with warmth, and the boundaries between human and wild gently dissolved.
We arrived in the soft light of the afternoon and sat down for lunch at the resort’s Basses Restaurant, named after the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse—whose distant, flickering light still marks the southern seas of Sri Lanka. The restaurant, open-air and almost weightless, melts into the surrounding wilderness. I chose the pasta with roasted root vegetables in a sun-dried tomato cream—an absolute dream for any vegetarian. For dessert, I had the local buffalo curd with kithul treacle, a traditional treat that felt like it was made from memory itself.
My villa—one of just 18 secluded thatched-roof cabins scattered across seven acres—felt like it had grown right out of the landscape. Built from teak, stone, and other natural elements, the hut was rustic yet indulgent, rooted in simplicity but rich in detail. A private plunge pool, an outdoor shower open to the stars, and a spacious deck facing the roaring Indian Ocean made it feel like my own slice of paradise.
That evening, cocktail in hand, I found myself at the open-air bar watching the sun melt into the ocean. The sky turned sherbet-pink and gold, and I found myself reflecting on how vast and stunning the world can be. I wanted to explore a nearby reservoir to see elephants quenching their thirst, but a quiet presence behind me—a resort guard—reminded me of where I was. The beach lies at the edge of a national park, and every guest is watched over, not just for comfort but for safety.
One guest had mentioned seeing elephants casually stroll down the beach. I wasn’t that lucky. I did attempt a sunrise run beyond the resort, only to be gently turned back. Hours later, on our way out for a safari, we nearly collided with a wild elephant crossing the road. The earlier caution made perfect sense.
The highlight of my stay came early the next morning. At 5 AM, we climbed into a customized safari vehicle for the short 10-minute ride to the entrance of Yala National Park. Staying at Uga Chena Huts includes one safari drive per day—fully arranged by the resort, including park entry, transfers, and refreshments.
Our morning safari felt sacred. A group of female elephants and a baby emerged from the brush, feeding on leaves just feet from our vehicle. Flocks of birds rose from the marshlands, and our guide’s stories—like the hornbill’s elaborate mating rituals—made the wilderness come alive.
Although we didn’t spot a leopard that morning, we tried again in the afternoon. And that time, we saw one. Majestic, powerful, chasing a horde of deer with breathtaking grace. Goosebumps.
Breakfast back at the resort was a feast: oatmeal topped with fresh papaya, a variety of fluffy omelettes, and coconut pancakes that were impossibly light and fragrant. Every bite seemed to reflect the soul of Sri Lankan cooking—rooted in nature, full of heart.
During this full day I even had time to work briefly from the bar overlooking the ocean—a surreal “office,” with WiFi strong enough to send a few urgent emails. But soon, I was back in holiday mode, drink in hand, heart full, enjoying my last sunset at Uga Chena Huts.
Our last dinner was poetry. The tables were set directly on the sand, a bonfire flickering, the Indian Ocean crashing against rocks just meters away. It was romantic, primal, grounding. The kind of moment you tuck away for rainy days, reminding yourself that yes, the world holds magic.
Two days passed like a dream—but they felt longer, fuller. Uga Chena Huts offered not just a stay, but a journey into stillness, into beauty, into the soul of the wild.
About Yala National Park
Ruhuna National Park, more commonly known as Yala, is Sri Lanka’s crown jewel of wilderness. Spanning a diverse landscape of monsoon forests, semi-deciduous woodlands, thorny scrub, grasslands, freshwater and marine wetlands, and untouched beaches, Yala captivates visitors with its rich biodiversity and dramatic scenery. It is the oldest and largest of a network of six national parks and three sanctuaries in the region, and globally recognized for having one of the highest densities of leopards in the world.
The park is home to 44 species of mammals—including elephants, sloth bears, and jackals—alongside dozens of reptiles, from saltwater crocodiles to fan-throated lizards. With over 215 species of resident and migratory birds, including the flamboyant peacock, Yala is a sanctuary not only for wildlife but also for those seeking raw, natural wonder.
About Uga Chena Huts, Yala
Set just a few miles from Yala’s entrance, Uga Chena Huts blends the untamed beauty of the jungle with five-star indulgence. Nestled between tropical forest and a saltwater lagoon, and overlooking a secluded beach where sea turtles nest by moonlight, this exclusive resort spans seven acres and features only 18 luxurious, thatch-roofed cabins.
Each spacious cabin includes a private deck, plunge pool, and panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. Guests enjoy all-inclusive hospitality with world-class dining at Basses Restaurant, sunset cocktails at the breezy bar, and indulgent spa treatments in total seclusion.
Rates begin at $1,237 per night for two adults, and include everything from gourmet meals and fine beverages to morning and evening game drives in customized safari vehicles, park fees, laundry service, and in-room minibar.
At Uga Chena Huts, adventure meets tranquility, offering an unforgettable stay in one of Sri Lanka’s most spectacular natural settings.
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