If you are a wildlife lover, expect to be spoiled for choice. We leverage our expertise from our sister property Kulu Safaris to deliver wildlife experiences.
Kumana National Park(formerly called Yala East National Park) is unique in that it is less crowded and you can observe leopard, elephant, deer, buffalo, sambur, numerous variety of birds and of course if luck is on your side the elusive sloth bear. Have lunch by the Kumbukan River, and during the months when the river is low spend some time lying in the refreshing water with a chilled drink, where the magnificent Kumbuk trees overhead offers you the perfect shade from the blazing noon sun.
You could then drive to the Ramsar site (a global convention to mark wetlands of significance) . Distance 1 hour by vehicle
Kumana Bird Sanctuary located within the park. Nesting season from May- August observes large flocks of nesting storks, pelicans and egrets and many other migratory birds. It is also a feeding and resting habitats for a large number of threatened wetland species, including three turtle species such as the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas),Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta), and the Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivaceae). The globally vulnerable Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), and mammals such as the endangered Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) can also be found.
Lahugala National Park which is famed for its large herds of elephants numbering up to 100 plus, is just a half hour drive away. During the dry season from end June to end September you can watch these magnificent beasts without the mayhem that’s experienced in other touristy spots famed for large herds. Distance 25 mins by vehicle
Radella Tank, is an ancient tank located just West of Kudakalliya, and it feeds an isolated patch of 2,500 hectars of paddy. The area is surrounded by a protected area under the Department of Forest Conservation. The bird life and elephant sightings make this a less known but really worth a visit. Distance 30 mins by vehicle
Kudakalliya caters to all surfers. Arugam Bay is famed for being one of the top 10 surfing destinations in the world, and the best surfing is May to October. It is renowned for its multiple right hand point breaks that are set in idyllic unspoiled areas, some of which are accessed through a jungle.
For the ardent surfer, we offer :
Main Point in Ulla : 25 minutes walk away
Elephant Rock : 20 minutes walk or you can drive around in 15 mins
Pottuvil Point : 15 minutes drive
Whiskey Point ; 25 minutes drive
Peanut Farm : 15 minutes drive
Panama Point : 25 minutes drive
Okanda Point : 90 minutes drive
Most people travel by local tuk tuk.
We co-host retreats with global professionals. They are normally between April and October, and are residential for 3-7 nights. Please e-mail us to be added to a list where we can communicate when a new Retreat is announced. They fill up fast, so be sure to respond straight away.
If you would like to partner with us to offer one, please get in touch.
Muhudu Maha Vihare off Pottuvil Town is just a 15 minute drive away. What remains now are three masterpieces in granite and some stone pillars on an isolated patch of beach. Magul Maha Vihare yet another fascinating archaeological site is a half hour drive away. The Kudumbigala Rock Hermitage is a hour's drive away. Your climb may be a bit arduous, but once you reach the summit the breathtaking view makes it all worthwhile!
You hear the waves crashing, the call of the peacock and you wake up and sit up in bed and a breathtaking setting greets you…a fabulous sun rise over the azure Indian Ocean, the scrub jungle by the famous Crocodile Rock and estuary, an eagle flying overhead...you take some time to realise that you are not dreaming of paradise, but actually experiencing it!
Kudakalliya is the ideal beach getaway. It's away from the main Arugam Bay stretch and quite deserted so that you can go for long strolls along its golden beaches and on occasion bump into no one sparring a couple of local fishermen. Yet it is just a 5 minute tuk tuk ride away to the main Arugam Bay stretch.
It goes with out saying that fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood are plentiful at Kudakalliya Beach House. Our team will spoil you whilst ensuring that our community benefits from purchases as we buy locally.