Bhathiya Barukanda
For the perfect blend of wildlife and culture, and the chance to explore Yala’s quieter Block V with deeply personalised safaris and private river access. Bonus: you’re in Kataragama, one of the island’s most spiritually diverse towns, where Hindu, Buddhist and Vedda traditions overlap.
Set the scene
The Warden’s House is tucked into a seven-acre stretch on the banks of the Menik River, surrounded by wilderness. The sounds of the jungle and the murmur of the river become your constant companions as you settle into the slow life. Monkeys chatter overhead, birds flit between branches, and someone casually mentions Raju, the neighbourhood elephant who sometimes drops by. A pomelo salad arrives by the pool, followed by saffron rice and curries, as you begin to ease into the lodge’s rhythm defined by stillness, space, and the feeling of being quietly looked after. Safaris are timed to match the day’s mood. In the afternoon, you’ll head into Block V, Yala’s least-visited sector, a forest filled with elephants, leopards and wild buffalo, but almost no tourists. Back at the lodge, a gin and tonic awaits in your suite, an in-room amenity offered to all all-inclusive guests. Evenings are unhurried: high tea by the river, a dip in the pool, flipping through a book in the verandah or walking down to the river to wade in. Dinner is served under the stars, often in a new location each night. With just ten guests at a time, it feels like your own private jungle retreat where everyone knows your name, your sundowner order and how you like your coffee.
The backstory
Launched in August by Amrit Rajaratnam, The Warden’s House is the third offering by Maitland and Knox, the team behind Galle Fort Hotel and Thotalagala. The property sits on land that was once home to a farmer’s house, later rebuilt as a personal retreat by Senaka Kumara, a wildlife photographer and former Forest Department officer. His original bungalow still stands nearby. The lodge itself is newly built, but it carries the same quiet respect for solitude and wilderness that first drew people like Kumara to this place. In continuation with founder Rajaratnam’s philosophy of creating homegrown Sri Lankan luxury, The Warden’s House offers a stay designed to connect guests not only to wildlife but also to the cultural and spiritual fabric of its surroundings.
The rooms
There are four suites, each named after a Sri Lankan national park, Yala, Wilpattu, Horton Plains and Kumana. Décor includes vintage four-poster beds, rattan chairs, black-and-white wildlife photographs, and thoughtfully placed local artefacts. Verandahs open onto green lawns where peacocks wander and birdcalls replace phone notifications. A shared lounge and poolside area provide the perfect setting for unwinding after a safari. And when the sun sets, dinner is served in a new location each evening: one night by the riverbank, the next under the trees. Whether you’re reading by the pool or sipping a sundowner in your verandah, the mood is always unhurried.
The food
Meals at The Warden’s House are never the same twice. The menu was conceptualised by Amrit and brought to life by group chef Priyantha Sanjeewa, who seamlessly blends global flavours with reimagined Sri Lankan classics. Guests are encouraged to mix and match. One evening might begin with a Housin tofu salad, followed by local pepper beef curry with coconut roti, sambol and dhal. Another might feature jackfruit cutlets or stir-fried okra, all beautifully plated and made to order.
But it’s the Bush Dinner that stays with you long after: a meat-forward, open-fire feast under the stars, with pork chops, grilled chicken, prawn and cuttlefish skewers, spiced fish and wood-smoked vegetables. As you dine, the sounds of the jungle rise around you, fireflies blink through the trees, and if you look up, you just might catch a shooting star. And then there are the crowd pleasers: fried cashews tossed with curry leaves and freshly baked bread that appears before every meal and disappears almost as fast. Small touches, yes. But somehow, unforgettable.
The location
Located in Galge, on the edge of Yala National Park’s quieter Block V, The Warden’s House offers easy access to safaris, forest walks and temple trails. Just beyond the lodge lies Kataragama, a sacred town where Hindu, Buddhist, and Vedda traditions converge. Every year, Kataragama marks the end point of a two-month foot pilgrimage. Within its sacred complex sit both the Hindu temple of Lord Murugan and the 3rd-century Buddhist Kiri Vehera, a reflection of the island’s layered spiritual landscape. For those curious to explore further, guided excursions are available to nearby temples, the ancient Sithulpawwa monastery, Buduruwagala’s rock carvings and village buffer zones by foot or bicycle.
The service
The style of hospitality here is instinctive, unfussy and warm. With just ten guests at a time, the team picks up on what you need, often before you ask.
Eco effort
The lodge is fully solar-powered, free of single-use plastics and uses glass water bottles in all suites. Meals are made with locally sourced ingredients, many grown in the on-site garden. The team is also rewilding the land, removing invasive flora and bringing back native trees to restore the ecosystem.
Accessibility
Most public areas, including the pool lawn and open dining spaces, are wheelchair accessible. The family suite is the best option for guests who are wheelchair-bound, thanks to its layout and bed height. If you have specific needs, the team will tailor arrangements in advance.
For families
The Warden’s House is quiet, cosy, and just the right size for a family safari getaway. With space for only a handful of guests, it offers a calm, low-pressure setting to introduce kids to the wild in a gentle, unhurried way.
Anything else to mention?
Before you leave, ask for high tea by the river, which is served on a low table in the dappled shade, with a mix of savouries and sweet bakes made in-house. And if you hear a deep rustle through the trees, it might just be Raju doing his afternoon rounds.
source:https://www.cntraveller.com/hotels/sri-lanka/the-wardens-house-in-yala-sri-lanka
