Escape To Unparalleled Luxury At This Wildlife Retreat Like No Other

Dense bushes line the path, revealing a completely unfenced purlieu leading to a luxurious haven cloaked in green forests. The insulated and thermally efficient cocoon suites soaring from the ground resemble a leopard’s paw. Conceived by Resplendent Ceylon, a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux association, Wild Coast Tented Lodge marks the border of Yala National Park. These lockable glamps offer spacious indoor and outdoor living areas, some with private pool decks looking out to the surrounding jungle. At the pool’s edge lies a watering hole, an invitation to catch sight of the elegant Malabar-Pied Hornbill, the purple Sunbird, or the Bee-Eater in action. Occasionally, a curious porcupine can be seen meandering into the dense greenery of the forest, only to disappear into its lush embrace. This enchanting scene unfolds from the comfort of one’s private wooden patio, while you savour a cup of Ceylon tea.  

Getting There

It takes 4 hours to reach Wild Coast Tented Lodge from the Colombo International Airport. However, those already staying at Resplendent’s Ceylon Tea Trails in Hatton, can avail of a 30-minute floatplane, operated under Cinnamon Air. Resplendent Ceylon can arrange air or road transfers to Wild Coast Tented Lodge. There are direct flights from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, Dubai and most metro cities of Asia to Sri Lanka.

Also read: 3 Ultra-Luxury African Retreats Redefine 2024’s Wildlife Safari Experience

Designing With The Untamed Nature In Mind 

Designed by Nomadic Resorts, the prefabricated architecture echoes the wild setting of Sri Lanka’s southern coast. The beating heart of the resort is the main pavilion, shaped like two boulders clustered organically together. It houses a dining area, a bar,  a library and a sprawling free-form infinity pool spread out from the domed arches overlooking the pristine beach. The high vaulted ceilings are crafted from a woven grid shell bamboo structure sheathed in reclaimed teak shingles. To fully embrace the wild essence of the site, the design team has skillfully blended local materials like stone, quartz, and mud brick with vibrant textures of copper, brass, terrazzo, wood, bamboo, and leather textiles for the interior touches. The pavilions’ sand flooring that seamlessly merges with the beachfront adds to the barefoot luxury. The poolside ‘Ten Tuskers Bar’, decked in leather and copper accents is an ideal spot to savour a special Sri Lankan high-tea or a post-dinner digestif. The sculptural light installations give way to branch chandeliers and bamboo pendant light fixtures. By night the main open-air pavilions illuminate from within as navigational landmarks amid the jungle beach setting making it quite a sight. 

 Revolutionary Forest Glamp Suites 

Ensconced by dense forest, the 28 cocoon tents are inspired by the caterpillar’s chrysalis. Called the ‘Looper’, Nomadic Resorts revolutionized this luxury glamping experience by crafting this as their first modular, sustainable accommodation solution with the comfort and amenities of a luxury hotel room. Designed from premium sustainable materials each pod features a lockable glazed facade, unlike other tented suites one has seen. There are 12 tents featuring private pools, with vast outdoor sun decks that stretch deep into the natural surroundings. Conceptualised by the designer Bo Reudler, the interiors embrace a sense of wanderlust. The four-poster bed sits elegantly with the trunk chaise lounge, a leather-coated teak writing desk with a vintage safari chair, an open-shelve closet framed in copper, and a safari field bar that doubles as a tea and coffee counter invites for a complete unwinding. Another highlight is the bath. Two timber panels stand on two sides that lead the way to a shower cubicle and a toilet. While the standalone copper bathtub takes centre stage, the stylish copper vanity counter with dual mirrors is enough reason to style one’s chic safari look. 

A Refined Sri Lankan Cuisine For The Palate

The F&B helmed by Relais & Chateaux introduces guests to refined Sri Lankan cuisine that seeks to expand the perception of the island’s culinary repertoire. Lunch is a la carte with a changing menu. Led by Executive Chef Gunedra Pushpashree and his Sous Chef Chinthaka Prasad, every meal starts with a homemade dip paired with finger millet grubs. Keeping the day safari excursion in mind the chef’s team focuses on small plates and fresh grills. Dishes like ‘white snapper carpaccio’, and ‘pickled watermelon and feta salad’ with mild spices and micro greens are simple, yet they leave an indelible impression on the palate brought by a fresh take on Sri Lankan plates. ‘The grilled fish fillet’ paired with garlic wilted bok choy and a mild coconut sauce is a modern twist on the local flavour. Dinner is a lavish affair featuring a modern four-course menu. ‘The curried goat soup’ tastes like a mild version of French bourguignon. The other surprise was the open ravioli rolled in squid ink pasta and tossed in a creamy seafood sauce. Finally meal is complete with their chef-made ice creams and sorbets. 

Also read: DP Hotlist 2024: Discover 3 Luxe Retreats Redefining Remote Luxury

An Adventurous Itinerary Of Game Drives And Soulful Nature Walks 

Days typically start at five with the break of dawn preparing for the morning game drive which is offered twice a day. These provide the perfect opportunity to get up close to Sri Lanka’s incredible wildlife at Yala National Park. Spanning a stunning 1268 square kilometres, this diverse landscape features a beautiful beach stretch, light forests, scrubland, brackish lagoons, grassy plains, and towering boulders that rise as mountains. The sheer expanse and variety of terrain create a challenging quest for anyone hoping to spot a leopard in its natural habitat. Wild Coast’s in-house rangers and naturalists are well-versed with the terrain and make the excursion all the more exhilarating with their know-how of animal behaviour. Those who want to skip the morning game drive can always opt for a guided nature walk which takes you to a wetland ringed by the beach and allows you to explore the wilderness intimately on foot. We recommend the ‘Exclusive Birding Experience’ under the guidance of the forest ranger. 

When the sun dips below the horizon, guests return to their luxury den to participate in the sundowner at the beautiful beach garden. This leads to a congregation of forest rangers and fellow wildlife photographers alike, making for a fitting finale. 

Final Thoughts

From expert-led safaris, and soulful beach walks to the unique design of the sustainable cocoon tents offers guests the freedom to reflect and feel a connection that comes from truly leaning into nature. The Resplendent Ceylon-style experiences that include a cook-off with the Chef in the promise of a succulent meal, a relaxing spa for one not in the right shape for game drives, a gourmet moonlit dinner or the warm Sri Lankan hospitality, ensures every guest leaves feeling they are coming back again to Wild Coast Tented Lodge. 

DP Loves 

#1 The ‘family cocoon pool suite’ sports a sprawling cocoon and a second urchin pod, connected by a wooden footbridge. 

#2 The pod’s sustainable philosophy is that thermal efficiency is achieved by channelling the hot air emitted by the AC to heat the water in the bath chamber. 

#3 Each tailormade game drive guided by an in-house forest ranger increases the chance to spot a great variety of wildlife. 

#4 The hyperlocal mixology session post-evening game drive and tasting the crafted cocktails stirred with arrack – a distilled alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of coconut flower. 

#5 “Live Cooking” in a beach setting with sous chef Chinthaka Prasad showcased the chef’s special recipes for making delicious curries and sambals while revealing expert tips on perfecting them.