This chic safari lodge, absolutely striking, is without a doubt, an awe-inspiring destination on the cusp of leopard-dense Yala National Park with super stylish vintage-themed ‘Cocoon’ rooms, some with pools, an ocean-gazing bamboo-ceilinged bar and restaurant and a young team of in-house naturalists.
Open pavilions make up the dining and bar space. Tucked away like a precious secret between the dense green fringes of the jungle and a boulder-strewn beach overlooking the Indian Ocean, Wild Coast Tented Lodge in Sri Lanka is an extraordinary confluence of glamour and grit. Imbued with a frontier-like sense of luxury, a thrilling sense of surrender to nature hums beneath every surface. A sign reads: “Elephants, leopard, crocodiles, wild boar, sloth bears & other denizens of Yala could enter the area around the Lodge, as there is no physical impediment to stop them…” Yes, this place is alive. Being here feels like dancing at the very edge of the world.
It borders Sri Lanka’s premier game reserve, so yes, the location feels completely wild. Elephants make midnight appearances on the beach and have been known to dip their trunks into Cocoon swimming pools, while gangs of gregarious grey langur monkeys gracefully bound between trees in sunset feeding frenzies. Elephants, emboldened leopards and elusive sloth bears are just a few of the highlights of a game drive into Yala whose Palatupana entrance is just a 10-minute drive away.
The 28 identical Cocoon tents are immaculate, and spaciously designed with an open-plan sleeping and living area beneath a high-domed roof, and separate canvas-walled cubicles for the toilet and shower. The plush four-poster bed, the vast hand-hewn freestanding bathtub, sinks and fittings are crafted from cool copper.
Amenities include a minibar, Sonos dock and Wi-Fi. Most rooms are laid out around landscaped water holes. The four beach-facing Cocoons have big decks with plunge pools. Each Cocoon Pool Suite has a four-poster bed, bathtub and private pool. Eight of the Cocoons are neighbored by smaller, circular Urchin tents (with outdoor shower), designed for sleeping independent children. It honestly feels like the right approach on this teardrop of an island, which is blessed with the sort of abundant, nostalgic natural beauty that elicits whispered insider tips from well-traveled individuals.
Now, my favorite part. Post evening game drive cocktails and canapes take place in a beautiful beach garden overlooking the ocean. The sand dunes are actually perfect for picnics or a gourmet candlelit meal, which can be arranged magnificently by the staff. The food and beverage feature a modern take on Sri Lankan cuisine and classics with a safari twist. Meals are inspired by nature and the freshness of local produce. As for cocktails, The Ten Tuskers bar is alongside the pool and faces the ocean. It is crowned by a large bamboo chandelier under which the extra-crafty, oh-so-good bartenders turn out handcrafted drinks featuring hyper local ingredients.
Overall, 10 out of 10! A must-experience. You can thank me later.
Only the best,
Lucas Raven
