Wild Lotus Yala is a one-of-a-kind getaway for those looking for an unique Sri Lankan experience. +Lakefront location on four acres close to Yala and Bundala National Parks +Friendly and dedicated service team including a chef +Large organic fruit and vegetable gardens, goats, chickens and water buffalo +Safaris, boat trips, jungle temple visits, village walks available Wild Lotus Yala consists of one 3 bedroom villa and a one bedroom bungalow with shared access to the four acre grounds and swimming pool. This listing is for the 3 bedroom villa. Lovingly designed with close attention to detail, our villa maximizes access to the outdoors to create a natural and relaxed environment for all to enjoy. This listing is for the 3 bedroom villa which comfortably sleeps 8 people but can accommodate 11. The villa has an open plan lounge area/kitchenette, an al fresco dining area and an upper balcony with sweeping lake views. All bedrooms are equipped with A/C, ceiling fans and are en suite with large custom made soaking tubs and beautiful tropical outdoor showers. We have a thoughtfully crafted menu and guests can order meals family style (one set menu to be shared among the group) or use the kitchenette to prepare their own meals as needed. Staff is available at your service 24/7. Whether it's a jeep safari, laundry service or an evening bonfire on the villa grounds, we can arrange it for you. Guests will have exclusive use of the villa and shared access to the four acre grounds and large swimming pool with bungalow guests (if any). We have a small pond that is full of fish, turtles and frogs and is a magnet for small birds. Our staff will be happy to lend you a traditional bamboo fishing pole if you want to try to catch a few fish. Four mountain bikes are available free of charge which you can use to explore the local village and rice paddies all around us. We have a four story water tower on site with an observation deck at the top- perfect for taking in 360 degree views of the lake, mountains and rice paddies. For the kids: 10 foot wide trampoline, toddler toy basket, baby cot and high chair are available on request. There are also water buffalo herds, cows and pigs a three minute walk away. Organic tropical fruits grown on the property include: coconuts, jackfruit, bananas, oranges, guava, custard apple, lemons, mangoes, rose apple and pomegranate. Chances are our chef is using some of our homegrown fruit in your welcome drink! Three sweet and friendly dogs live at the property and a motley crew of free range hens that provide our cook with fresh eggs. If animals aren't your thing, let the staff know and they can put them away for your visit. Our staff is available 24/7 to help with anything you need. Our villa is on the outskirts of an authentic rural Sri Lankan village near Yala National Park. Our neighbors herd water buffalo in the shallows of the lake that borders our property, it is a sight to behold in the mornings and evenings. We are happily off the beaten track but a grocery store and a few restaurants are about 10 minutes away. Our villa manager is happy to organize transport for you, whether it's a safari jeep, luxury van or a tuk tuk. SUSTAINABILITY: At Wild Lotus Villa we’re committed to conservation. The natural beauty of the Sri Lankan wilderness makes us especially conscious of our commitment to minimize our environmental impact. In accordance with our beliefs, Wild Lotus Villa provides the following: -Locally sourced fruits and vegetables -Solar powered water heaters -Complimentary reverse osmosis purified water served in glass bottles -Naturally cooling clay tile roof to minimize the need for air conditioning -Ceiling fans in all spaces -Energy efficient “inverter” air cons in bedrooms for those that require it -Free range chickens that provide our chef with tasty organic eggs WILDLIFE: The villa is located in a remote tropical area with an array of wildlife. This includes an array of wild insects, including mosquitoes, flies, beetles etc. Please remember to bring mosquito repellent. All the doors and windows in the house are screened, making mosquito nets unnecessary if you are careful about keeping the screen doors closed at all times. BIRDING: Wild Lotus Villa is a bird watcher's paradise. Here are just a few of the birds that we’ve seen on the property and in the shallows of the lake on the property’s edge: paradise flycatcher, indian pond heron, black headed ibis, little egret, grey heron, open billed stork, painted stork, lesser whistling duck, brahminy kite, peacock, water hen, black winged stilt, great thicknee, yellow wattled lapwing, red wattled lapwing, green imperial pigeon, black necked oriel, rose ringed parakeet, asian koel, green bee eater, white throated kingfisher, stork billed kingfisher, pied kingfisher, indian roller, oriental maggie-robin, brown capped babbler, Loten’s sunbird, black hooded oriel, tricolored munia, baya weaver, indian pitta. We are happy to lend our binoculars and bird book to fellow "bird nerds." Please note that we charge a 3% surcharge on all credit card transactions.