Luxury holidays with a sense of purpose.
Wanakaset’s Kitulgala property, a newly built accommodation, is the headquarter of the Wanakaset Sri Lanka, non-profit organisation whose ultimate objective is Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration. We plant a very large variety of fruit trees and edible leaf trees to generate a unique biodiversity. By staying with us, you contribute financially to the creation of this extraordinary ecosystem. Those guests who wish to partake in the daily chores of the Conservation project can also join us. Activities range from planting trees, clearing, watering, maintaining the organic vegetable garden, and learning a little more about the trees.
Those willing to offset the full carbon footprint of their holidays are welcome to plant trees or ask Wanakaset team to do so.
The property is not connected to any amenities or public services other than electricity. The closest neighbour is 30 minutes away. Fresh water comes from rain and is filtrated through sand and charcoal. Grey water is recycled through a phytosanitary system, which allows this water to be used for irrigation of young trees. You can harvest your vegetables from the organic vegetable garden and ask the team to cook them right away. Our trees are still young but some of them already bear fruits waiting to be picked (200 varieties of fruit trees).
The newly built teak wood cottage, nested on the hills of Kitulgala, dominates the tea plantations and the Kilani River valley surrounded by lush tropical vegetations. The movie “Bridge over the River Kwai” was shot on the Kilani River a few kilometres upstream of Wanakaset. The area is best known for Birdwatching, White Water rafting, Advanced Canyoning, Hiking and Mountain biking but also to those visiting Adam’s peak, the Balilena Caves, the Sandun Ella gorgeous waterfall or the Makandawa Forest Natural Park.
You will be staying on the top floor of the 400m2 recently built Open Deck Teak wood cottage to welcome you, your friends and your family. All the wooden furniture has been made by local craftsmen, the bedding is excellent and made of local natural rubber, and all the equipment is of superior quality.
The property has no heating and no air conditioning to reduce carbon foot print to the minimum. Each room is fitted with a ceiling fan. Temperatures oscillate between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius. Food is cooked on an wood fired stove daily. The living quarters was designed to comfortably accommodate 15 people in 7 bedrooms as follows:
Two rooms with one King Size bed each
Three rooms with one Queen Size bed each
One room with one Queen Size bed and a Single Size bed
Two rooms with two Single Size beds
Each room has three walls and an open terrace for a maximum exposure to the wild tropical forest and its numerous fireflies, a dresser, a desk, a forest view, mosquito nets and a wash basin.
On the ground floor, the guests can enjoy an open-deck relaxing area of almost 200m2 with tables, chairs and typical Sri Lankan lounge chairs.
The large kitchen area and a separate lounge can accommodate up to 20 people.
The kitchen is equipped with high quality electrical appliances (Angel juice extractor, Magimix Blender, a fridge and a freezer)
There are a total 4 European water closets, 3 showers and a washing machine.
There are many swimming areas nearby and ideal locations to let small fish eat your feet’s dead skin! And off course the Kilani river offers many swimming opportunities.
The estate has WIFI network and 4G is accessible.
Licence or registration number: GL 2226 pursuant to the Company Act, no, 7 of 2007 of the Democratic Socialist Republic Of Sri Lanka
