Great location awesome staff delicious food

Stayed in April 2025

I stayed here with 3 friends and we have the best time. Amazing location, amazing property, we staff were incredible and welcoming. Couldn't have asked for better service. They went above and beyond for us. We even got a traditional dance show. Nishantha bandara was our host and he was incredible, thank you for welcoming us, organising our stay and our safari. The communication through whatsapp was great, so much information sent before and during. Everything was planned out and so smooth, including transportation to our next destination. Couldnt recommend this place more in Yala!!

Stayed in April 2025

We loved our stay at Yakaduru. Nishantha and the team were incredibly attentive and helpful. The food was fabulous and our bungalow spacious and luxurious. We were fortunate to have Nishantha, a passionate and knowledgeable naturalist, accompany us on our first (evening) safari which enriched our experience considerably. We met some lovely fellow travellers during our stay. On our second (all-day) safari, we saw a leopard. During both safaris, we saw elephants, monkeys, deer, crocodiles, monitor lizards, eagles, various bird species and buffalo.

Stayed in April 2025

An absolutely awesome experience - the accommodation was excellent (clean and comfortable), the plunge pool very much appreciated; the meals superb and the staff couldn't have been better (a special thanks to our host Nishantha who looked after us so well). Thank you Yakadura - we hope to be back! PS Recommend the Safari too!

Stayed in April 2025

The children were a little unconvinced by mud hut living to start with but by the end they would rather this than a smart 5 star. Here you get to understand Sri Lanka, it's wildlife, beauty and people.

We loved the staff and the connection to the wildlife. Nishantha and his fantastic team were some of the loveliest Sri Lankans we have met - so passionate about the work they are doing. It was an unforgettable experience that the whole family loved.

Stayed in April 2025

We really enjoyed our stay at Yakaduru. The staff especially were super helpful, attentive, and friendly. The rooms are very spacious and the outdoor bathroom is a fun novelty. The food was delicious and plentiful. We also arranged a safari via the hotel and really liked our driver.

Stayed in April 2025

Nothing…..

What a location! Actually in the park so surrounded by nature - eco friendly and perfectly located but what makes this place so special is the staff and service. From the pre arrival information to the welcome, the food and the helpful arrangements. We loved the nature walk with the guide and learning about our surroundings and watching the sunset from atop the rocky mound. Food typical Sri Lankan with traditional entertainment. Our full day safari arranged by the team with an expert driver and guide exceeded our expectations. We spoilt ourselves and has the villa with the plunge pool - gorgeous room with outdoor bathroom but attention to detail with mosquito fogging completed while we were at dinner and mosquito nets in place. We would go back in a heartbeat - unique and wonderful experience thank you !

Stayed in April 2025

Everything was great, the staff was very helpful, the food was tasty, the location was gorgeous and the safari was amazing!!

Stayed in April 2025

It was so good service, it’s not a big pool, but you are here for the safari.🐆🐘🌴

Stayed in April 2025

The place is really beautiful, we really like the bed and bathrooms, food was super good and staff exceptionally friendly.

Stayed in April 2025

The place is amazing. It is authentically rustic, very sustainable, and right in the middle of nature. The staff were so polite and helpful, from the minute we got there we felt welcomed. The dood was really nice and each night (2) there was a traditional dance show for the guests during dinner. They arranged a safari for us that was truly unforgettable. We had a superb guide who knew his job, was insightful, and could not have been more attentive. During the safari, we saw eagles, crocs in action eating prey in the water, elephants, and most special a leopard, that came right up to the safari vehicle. Great start to our trip. We fully recommend this experience.

Stayed in March 2025

Nothing - everything was as we expected it to be.

Prior to arrival we received a lot of information from the resort, explaining their eco-friendly policy, so we felt quite familiar with the property before we arrived. My special dietary needs were noted and catered for. A dawn safari was pre-booked for us at our request. We were greeted with cold face towels on arrival - bliss after our hot journey. All staff were friendly and attentive, and nothing was too much trouble. Guests are invited to join in activities, or opt out - it's entirely up to personal preference. The swimming pool provided welcome relief from the heat, and there are many shaded spaces to sit and relax. Our evening meal the first night was enhanced by a traditional dance performance - a lovely surprise! Even though Yakaduru is located in the buffer zone of Yala national park, we felt perfectly safe - the grounds (protected by a high voltage electric fence) were spacious and well maintained. The food was delicious and plentiful - four options available for breakfast. Our accommodation, while rustic, was very clean and comfortable, helping to maintain the 'safari' ambience. A very reasonably priced taxi was organised for us on departure, and we were presented with a surprise gift as a reminder of our stay at Yakaduru. A wonderful two days, which I highly recommend!

Stayed in March 2025

Great location (10 min from Yala park entrance), cosy lodge, authentic atmosphere. Pleasant, helpful staff. Family-friendly. Super !

Stayed in March 2025

Didn’t stay long enough!

Amazing place, great location, so peaceful and wonderful staff! Thank you all so much!

Stayed in March 2025

The property was peaceful and authentic seamlessly blending with the stunning Yala surroundings. We really felt like we were amongst the park. The staff were so friendly and always looking to help us, including a daily mosquito cleanse of our room and cleaning our Tuk Tuk before departure! We also had great excursions on the Moon Drive and Bush Walk, lead by Nishantha who was so knowledgeable and friendly for both. They were really the highlight of our stay and even outshone the safari itself! We really enjoyed the traditional cultural experiences that were performed. Big thank you to Nishantha and the rest of the team (including Lassie the dog) for creating special memories for us.

Stayed in March 2025

The food was delicious however, on the first night I did have 5-6 small fish bones in my meal. Overall though the food was delicious.

This is accomodation was a little on the pricier side however, it was worth every penny. The naturalist who took us on the moon drive and bush walk was super informative and you could see how passionate he was about the area. Due to the way the rooms are built they can attract some small creatures however, the beds have good quality mosquito nets and the rooms are checked by the staff every night and this just adds to the authentic experience of the place.

Stayed in March 2025

The rooms are open on the ceiling, so some small animals or insects can enter your room. However, the staff smokes the room with anti-moskito treatment before your night.

We enjoyed the walk in the late afternoon with the staff and the awesome surprise with the dancing show during the dinner. The staff is very welcoming and friendly. The rooms are comfortable with a nice bathroom. Expect good quality food for your meals.

Stayed in March 2025

no air conditioning

staff very helpful and friendly with great knowledge of the national park. very hospitable place, good food.

Stayed in March 2025

The food was nice, but not what we felt like to eat, maybe if they offered a choice, but as this is a small property they probably can't provide this.

We loved our short stay at Yakaduru, it felt like we were on safari in Africa. The highlight of our stay was the afternoon walk with Nishantha who is a naturalist and so interesting to listen to, he had a wealth of knowledge about all the animals, birds and reptiles in Sri Lanka. We also book our safari through Yakaduru and the guide was excellent. Just a reminder that this is a remote property and we had to get picked up at the main road and driven in a Jeep as a normal car can access the road. I would recommend Yakaduru if you are looking for a unique property to stay at near Yala. Thank you for a memorable stay 🙏

Stayed in March 2025

Unfortunately we weren't able to spot any leopards during our morning safari. Of course, this is something the hotel can't control :) Food was good, though not the best we had in Sri Lanka. The hotel should consider putting all guests in same Safari Jeep. We were surprised that in our morning safari, only the guests of the same room were put in the same Safari Jeep. We thought that this is a waste for the environment as we were a total of 3 Jeeps with 2 guests in each, although one Jeep can fit up to 6! You should be aware that there might be some "small animals" visiting your lodge at night, but the staff would remove them for you right away if you ask for (via WhatsApp).

Spacious rooms and nice location next to the park entrance. Staff was very attentive and helpful. There is a nice rock in the outside area next to the pool where one can go up and watch the sunset. Toilet amenities were of high standards. We loved the smell of shampoo and body lotion. We liked the night show during dinner time. The dance and fire shows were done by talented young locals.

Stayed in March 2025

Nice camp experience in the wild. Really authentic

Stayed in March 2025

Great peaceful place but moon drive is over priced

Stayed in March 2025

Great stay, well-kept complex with pool right next to Yala National Park. Safaris can be organized through the accommodation, these went professionally and well. Food was excellent, especially the kottu. During the safari you get food packages from the accommodation. Friendly, courteous staff. I can recommend it

Stayed in February 2025

Nothing

We were very fortunate to find this unique property which was very different to any of the accommodation we had stayed in Sri Lanka. The whole experience was fantastic with such a friendly team, fabulous food and the opportunity to be close to nature. Unfortunately due to bad weather Block 1 of the park was closed but we were not disappointed as we went on The Temple Excursion and The Moon Drive with Nishantha. This was an experience which will stay with us for a long time, his knowledge and passion for nature was inspiring.

Stayed in March 2025