1 bedroom

Reviews of Leopard Nest - Glamping in Yala

4 out of 5
Leopard Nest - Glamping in Yala
Palatupana, Yala National Park, Tissamaharama

Reviews

8.2

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 16 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 25 reviews" "

8.0/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

7.0/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Magen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Overall a cool experience, we stayed in the sky nest. It is important to know that the road getting to resort is very very rough, essentially off-roading in a jeep, maybe even worse than safari. I wouldn’t recommend older adults or young children or anyone with a disability. The resort had kind staff, great evening bbq and early morning safari packed breakfast. Our only negative was that the safari guide booked through them was not good, of note he was not their usual safari guide on staff. We had a much better guide with a private group the evening before we stayed at the resort.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from Leopard Nest Team on 2 Mar,2024
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're delighted to hear that overall, you had a cool experience staying in the sky nest. We appreciate your insight regarding the rough road leading to the resort, and we'll make sure to communicate this clearly to future guests, especially those who may have mobility concerns.It's wonderful to know that you found our staff to be kind and enjoyed the evening barbecue and the packed breakfast for the early morning safari. However, we apologize for the subpar experience with the safari guide booked through us. We understand the importance of having knowledgeable and engaging guides to enhance the safari experience. Your feedback is valuable, and we'll review our processes to ensure that all guests receive the best possible service, including providing experienced guides for safari excursions.We're grateful for your recommendation and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for another memorable stay, with an improved safari experience. Thank you for choosing our resort for your getaway.

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic stay! My husband and I have been glamping in Africa before, so we knew what to expect when we booked a glamping hotel in the Yala National Park buffer zone. We had read reviews from others beforehand and despite what some others said, we booked Leopard Nest anyway. We are so glad we did! The actual room itself (treehouse room) was the same quality as what we spent $700 a night on glamping in Africa. It was clean, had a strong AC, and an updated toilet/shower. They provided a mosquito net for us, but in general, we did not see any bugs (even if we did, this would have been totally normal as it is glamping in the wild) Our room also had a big balcony that overlooked a watering hole that elephants are sometimes spotted at, which was cool. The best part was the food - we were served a prefix 4 course dinner under the stars, outside in our own private “rock table”. It was so cute and we weren’t expecting this, so it was such a special touch! Breakfast was also a prefix, multi course meal that had us full and happy. The staff was so helpful and eager to assist us. We were happy with our one night stay here. They are advertised as a glamping hotel, and as long as you have the correct expectations going into it, you will be satisfied. It is good for a night, I would probably not book more than that just because there aren’t too many things to do once you are there, besides go on safari. But overall, fantastic!
Response from Leopard Nest Team on 23 Jan,2024
You're very welcome! We are delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic stay at Leopard Nest.

2/10 Terrible

jonathan

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place is not as described. By no means can it be described as a luxury experience. I actually believe a a lot of the reviews are misleading or circumspect. Like others have said if this was a third of the price then I would have kinda been ok with it. But at best it is a poorly maintained man made camp site in an area of overgrown “bush”. The description talks about it being jungle. I think that is stretching it. Eg the “lake” is a man made and badly finished pond. The tree house room I stayed in is old, very tired, very grubby and poorly maintained. The food whilst plentiful is back packer fare at best. There is no culinary ability on display here. The “restaurant” is a basic deck type structure. Quite simply I hoped this would be the highlight of my trip but it has become my nightmare. Literally stuck in the middle of nowhere, requested to check out early which was denied. If you’re happy to go somewhere really basic and pay absolute top dollar for it and continue to be gouged whilst here for extras. Sign up! If not then please try one of the alternatives. I feel We have paid for luxury and got budget. Would have been better off booking the cheapest place if this is the standard of the “high end”. Literally anything has to be the same or better.
Response from Dhammika Prabath on 4 Oct,2023
We were not surprised by your recent review and wanted to address some of the points you raised regarding your stay at Leopard Nest.We understand your desire to cancel your booking, and we regret any inconvenience caused by our cancellation policy. Unfortunately, last-minute cancellations can be challenging for us to accommodate, especially when guests have already checked in.We were pleased to have you as our first guest in our newly renovated room. Regarding the property's location, we want to clarify that Leopard Nest is indeed situated within the buffer zone of Yala National Park, a protected natural forest area under the jurisdiction of the Sri Lankan Forest Department.Our commitment to environmental sustainability is a core value of Leopard Nest. We have undertaken significant reforestation efforts, adding another 17 acres to our land as a sustainable contribution. The pond you mentioned serves as a vital water source for various wildlife, including leopards in the buffer zone. We even pump water into this pond during dry seasons to ensure that the wild animals have access to water.Our culinary offerings, particularly our BBQ with a variety of meat items, have received high praise from guests. We invest in the quality of our meals, which may result in a higher cost than indicated in your review.Leopard Nest offers a unique glamping experience in the jungle, intentionally designed without conventional electricity and water sources. We source water from external suppliers at a higher cost and use generators for power, incurring higher fuel expenses. This experience is tailored for nature enthusiasts who seek an authentic and immersive jungle adventure, away from the usual comforts. Our luxury lies in the exclusive wilderness experience we offer, accessible only by 4X4 JEEP.We appreciate your feedback and extend our gratitude for taking the time to review Leopard Nest. We are always prepared to share the real delights of our unique jungle experience with future guests, ensuring they have an unforgettable and authentic adventure.

10/10 Excellent

Tal

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property was amazing! It was a unique experience that we didn’t get anywhere else in Sri Lanka. The bbq dinner was our favorite and the treehouse was beautiful ! Highly recommend for anyone looking for a true nature experience to go with the safari
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Response from Dhammika Prabath on 22 Aug,2023
Thank you for choosing Leopard Nest , and for taking your valuable time to share a review! We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour with us. We “Leopard Nest ” aims to provide a truly unique experience, and we are thrilled that we were able to exceed your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you back to our country in the future.

10/10 Excellent

JAMES

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
My wife and I have just returned this afternoon from here. A unique experience in the trees. The bbq at night time is very good. The staff are all very attentive and make for a wonderful experience. You are in jungle so enjoy it
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from Dhammika Prabath on 22 Jul,2023
Thank you for taking the time to share your recent experience with Beyond Escapes. We value your feedback and most generous compliments on our service and we are so glad that we were able to provide you an exceptional service. And also, we are very happy that all our efforts have been successful in making your tour memorable and enjoyable.

10/10 Excellent

christopher

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Getting to the property was hard, you can’t drive up to the property. Wish there was more amenities like a pool.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Response from Ruwan on 23 Jan,2023
We are happy to hear that you have had an enjoyable stay at Leopard Nest. We appreciate your feedback. All the Best!

8/10 Good

udani

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022
Response from Ruwan on 23 Jan,2023
We are happy to hear that you have had an enjoyable stay at Leopard Nest. We appreciate your feedback. All the Best!

2/10 Terrible

Yugandhar Pawan

Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The review is based from a perspective of travellers with young kids. This place would be a big NO The whole experience below: - Check-in: there is no direct access to this place and the resort will arrange a pickup from somewhere outside the area. Our pickup was horrible! The driver had no idea of the route. (Also fyi, its a jungle, so if u miss a turn, u r lost in a JUNGLE!) Thats what happened with us. We got stuck and waited for an hour in middle of nowhere & electric fences all around. Somehow, we reached the property and first thing the manager asked us (after a simple sorry) was to make the payment. That was off-putting - Room :its nothing like u see on their website. Its within the bushes & no maintenance whatsoever. Ours was a luxury tent, wherein the bathroom is outside the room (which for us was not very ideal ,atleast). The beds looked clean but there were bugs and mosquitoes & ants inside the room. No mosquito net were provided so it was very uncomfortable. We requested a changed & were offered jungle nest but it was no different (bathroom being inside was the only plus) - The campsite : the impression on the website is more of a jungle campsite but its nothing of that sort. We could only do a basic bnb, as one cant really step out cos of various reasons as it is absolutely dark, various kinds of animals in the bushes (gets scary) & no seating facilities outside the room. - Seriously Overpriced (we’ve had amazing stays in other cities for lesser).
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2021
Response from Ruwan Ratnayaka on 29 Jan,2022
Thanks for your feedback. Unfortunately we are very confused with some of the information you have posted through this review. We are a glamping site that is located in the jungle as you have mentioned (Also fyi, its a jungle, so if u miss a turn, u r lost in a JUNGLE!). However, you have again mentioned that it is not a jungle "The campsite : the impression on the website is more of a jungle campsite but its nothing of that sort". We are also surprised to read that you have mentioned "as one cant really step out cos of various reasons as it is absolutely dark, various kinds of animals in the bushes". All these are contradictory sentences that confuse the readers. We are not bnb site. We provide a Wildlife experience and most of our costs include experiences. Our rate include Safaris, Jungle BBQ dinners, trekking experiences and outdoor breakfast. If you book all these service separately without the accommodation, you will see the cost that we are charging for this concept. It is approximately 100-120 dollars a night for the accommodation. We run this campsite with generator power and water is brought by bowsers from external suppliers. Mandating cost, taxes, staff cost, green taxes and all are included in our price. Our price is very much affordable when compared to the similar type of glamping sites in Yala. We hope this gives you a clear explanation about our property and what we offer. One again, we thank you for selecting Leopard Nest for your stay in Yala. All the best!

10/10 Excellent

Alex, Brighton, UK

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Leopards nest provided the most incredible experience, with a reservation on valentines day I took this opportunity to propose to my girlfriend. The staff were all extremely helpful in setting up the perfect scene and very congratulatory after. We enjoyed a fantastic safari the following morning, with the driver, Isanka, and the naturalist, Sumedha, providing a great service and really guiding us through the animals we could see, including the Leopard and Jackal, two of the rarest! The binoculars really helped wit the Leopard, so these would be useful to be provided to all jeeps. Huge thank you to all the staff for making this an experience we will never forget.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020
Response from Sanjeewani Dissanayaka on 20 Feb,2020
Thank you for choosing our campsite, and for taking the time to write a review! Also, thank you for the kind words regarding the staff, safari & naturalist. We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Leopard Nest luxury campsite. Leopard Nest luxury campsite aims to provide a truly unique experience, and we are thrilled that we were able to exceed your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you back to our campsite in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Laura

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
amazing romantic get away
We had a wonderful stay at the leopards best. The tree house room was AMAZING, staff very friendly and professional and the safari was unreal. We saw leopards and lions and our guide was fantastic
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020
Response from Sanjeewani Dissanayaka on 6 Jan,2020
Thank you for choosing our campsite, and for taking the time to write a review! We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Leopard Nest luxury campsite. Leopard Nest luxury campsite aims to provide a truly unique experience, and we are thrilled that we were able to exceed your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you back to our campsitel in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019
Response from Sanjeewani Dissanayaka on 31 Dec,2019
Dear Happy Guest. Thank you for giving us a perfect rating and for recommending Leopard Nest luxury campsite to other travelers. I’m sure our entire campsite staff enjoyed catering to your needs as much as you enjoyed your stay. Take care!

4/10 Poor

Disappointed

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
I paid almost $800 for a single night at their King nest with a package inclusive of all meals and two safari game drives. Most of the reviews are misleading. It is about 45 mins to actually get to Yalla park gate. While it was OK, it was certainly not worth the amount we paid and is grossly overpriced. The hotel is probably a 2 star or 2.5 stars. There are no real amenities. Our lunch was tuna sandwiches only, and I am not exaggerating. Breakfast was just as disappointing. The safari drive was ok but the driver seemed rushed and was not as aggressive as other drivers in helping us get closer to the animals. For what we paid, they can do better. A lot better. It should not be priced at more than $150-200/ night for what you get.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019
Response from Reservation Executive on 10 Nov,2019
Dear sir, Thanks for your feedback, We always appreciate our valuble clients feedbacks. Normally it takes around 15-20 minutes to reach the park gate from leopard nest luxury campsite. Although we have options We don't serve sandwiches for lunch unless you request instead of lunch. As per your request we provided tuna sandwiches. Normally we provide authentic Sri lankan lunch which is trully tasty and authentic. We are not a hotel but a glamping category luxury campsite which provides exclusive wildlife experiences to our clients. I have investigated the breakfast complaint and the manager stated you were in a hurry to leave to Airport therefore as per your request we have provided packed breakfast which was up to the standard. In packed breakfast we can serve only the food but not the experience. We think its bit unfair to rate us for what you requested instead of what we could offer you. However thanks for your feedback. Best regards

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Luxury price tag for a hotel though comfortable not what would be considered luxury based on experience for similar packages in Africa. No tea and coffee making facilities, no bedside lights just a single bare bulb in the bedroom, bathroom light on a timer which went off whilst showering, etc. The staff and Roy in particular, went out of their way to try and make up for the disappointment in the facilities. There was no mention in the literature that the nearest part of the park was closed and it was over an hour each way to get to where was open. Roy accommodated this by offering an all day game drive for which we were very grateful.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018
Response from Delshan on 9 Nov,2018
Thank you very much for sharing your experience with our future guests. Most of the points you have mentioned in your review have been taken into consideration. We are not a luxury hotel or a resort but we are a camp site inside the jungle. We operate in an environment where there is no water, no electricity and no nearby shops for purchasing required raw materials for the day today operation. As such our operating cost is sky high. We offer personalized butler service throughout the day and provide unlimited tea and coffee as per your request at any time. therefore they have not provided tea and coffee making facilities in the room. We apologize that we were not able to teach you to switch on the bed-side lamp. The bathroom light has a timer just to enter the bathroom. However your shower cubical had the lights and even FM radio facilities. Normally the Yala main entrance is closed in the months of September and October yearly. it has been published world wide through travel blogs and several other medias. however we will add it in our website for future guests. We understand that we have failed to brief you about all above facilities and services that was readily available during your stay. We apologize for the inconvenience. We hope you have enjoyed your stay with us and look forward to your next visit.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent Glamping Experience
Excellent lodge, serene surroundings, helpful staff, meals were perfect...
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018
Response from Ruwan Ratnayaka, Manager at Leopard Nest on 13 Aug,2018
Thanks for the great review. We’re so happy your visit at Leopard Nest went so smoothly. we are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us! Thanks again..!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A very special experience
They made us feel so special during our 2-day stay. The food was fantastic with some of the best curry we’ve tasted in Sri Lanka. Get ready for an early start with 6am through the safari gates. We were very lucky to see a sloth bear but unlucky not to see a leopard. Animals aren’t to order! There is also an afternoon tour as an option. Thanks to Madhu and the rest of the team.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018
Response from Ruwan Ratnayaka, Manager at Leopard Nest on 11 Aug,2018
Thank you for your review and we are extremely happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Leopard Nest. We really appreciate you taking the time out to share your experience with us. We count ourselves lucky for guests like you.We’d love to continue providing great service to awesome guests like you. Thanks again!

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great stay
We had a great stay at Leopard Nest. The team looked after us really well, and the treehouse was really quirky and different - you can even see the indian ocean from the balcony. Quite cosy, but enough space for two and the air con worked well (if a little noisy). It was great to have a different experience from the usual hotels we stayed in during our trip. We were the only guests for the one night we stayed which made it even more of a unique experience. I was worried it may feel a little intense, but we were really well looked after and it didn't feel at all like the staff were looking over us all of the time - all of the team were so friendly and made us feel so welcome. We were all inclusive, which included two game drives. Drives were well organised and whilst the leopards didn't come out for us, the team tried really hard and we still saw plenty of wildlife and birds. Food and drink was plentiful and good quality. We were greeted from our afternoon safari with a large, ice cold G&T and a cold towel. Perfect!
Response from Ruwan on 9 May,2018
Dear Madam, Thank you very much for your review and recommendation. We are very much glad to hear that you have had an enjoyable time at Leopard Nest. All the best!

4/10 Poor

Marc-Philipp

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

Richard

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

2/10 Terrible

Lara

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Der Service ist sensationell, bester Service seit langem - die lesen jeden Wunsch von den Augen ab. Essen einfach aber sehr gut. Abends Barbeque mitten im Jungle unter Sternen und Fakeln. Wunderschön. Die Einrichtung ist einfach, praktisch und gut. Man würde es sich aufgrund des Preises und der Bilder etwas luxuriöser vorstellen. Die angebotenen Safaris sind super. Wir hatten Rumesh als Fahrer, welcher zu den schnellsten Fahrern gehört. Er macht alles, dass man die Tiere sieht und wir sahen unglaublich viele.. Leopard, Sloth Bear, Elephanten und vieles vieles andere.. fast wie im Zoo. Von Leopard Nest zum Eingang des Nationalparks sind es mit dem Auto ca 45min. Empfehlenswert für einfaches, gemütliches und eco-friendly Jungle/Safari Feeling. Wer Luxus sucht, ist jedoch woanders wohl besser aufgehoben.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020
Response from Sanjeewani Dissanayaka on 3 Mar,2020
Thank you for choosing our campsite, and for taking the time to write a review! We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Leopard Nest luxury campsite. Leopard Nest luxury campsite aims to provide a truly unique experience, and we are thrilled that we were able to exceed your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you back to our campsite in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Luis

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Safari de 10, estancia de 10
Un estancia de ensueño en la selva de yala! Hay que ir subiendo que es un camping y no un hotel 5*... Pero el personal te hará sentir muy cuidado. La habitación muy bonita. La bbq de la cena super rica. El safari que nos organizaron con Jeep privado por la tarde y otro por la mañana espectaculares. El Driver y el guía saben muy bien como encontrar todos los animales. Vimos 2 leopardos y 1 oso... Y era temporada lluviosa por lo cual es aún más difícil verlos. Totalmente recomendable, no te arrepentirás.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019
Response from Sanjeewani Dissanayaka on 7 Dec,2019
We are delighted to receive your lovely feedback on Expedia following your recent stay with us at Leopard Nest Luxury Campsite. It was a pleasure having you with us and we are pleased that you had a memorable stay. We hope the memories of your holiday will make you come back and visit us in the future and we are eagerly looking forward to the pleasure of welcoming you back!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful lodge in the jungle outside the Yala national park. All inclusive service that met all expectations. Accommodation beautifully decorated with everything necessary for our stay. Staff very welcoming and helpful with any request, always with a smile! Safari were smoothly organized: probably because of the country situation of the curfew we didnt have choice in adjusting any time of the safari trips, nor could arrange an evening safari: suggest people to ask in advance about timings of safari.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019
Response from Delshan on 14 May,2019
Dear Sir / Madam, Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your stay! I am glad that we were able provide you an good service to you. Also, thank you for the kind words regarding the accommodation & Safari. I am very pleased to hear that our staff made your stay pleasant. we are sorry for no letting you an option to the timings of your safari as per the sudden curfew. Thank you for staying at Leopard Nest luxury campsite and we hope that you will consider us for your next trip!

10/10 Excellent

Marina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
À faire
Superbe parenthèse en pleine nature mais avec tout le confort, Safari très bien avec un naturaliste aussi dynamique qu’intéressant. Dîner BBQ exceptionnel en pleine nature
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019
Response from Delshan on 9 Mar,2019
Chère Marina, Merci pour votre avis sur expedia. il est bon d'entendre que vous avez apprécié votre séjour à "Leopard Nest". Nous sommes extrêmement heureux d'accueillir et de servir des invités comme vous. merci encore à vos précieux commentaires. Meilleures salutations..!

10/10 Excellent

DI

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Romantic, unforgettable
The beauty of this accommodation is not enough to describe in any language. After the sun sets, we went to dinner in woods which is guided by a glimpse of oil lamps. This is the most romantic dinner I have ever had. People also super nice here.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019
Response from Delshan on 7 Mar,2019
Dear Sir / Madam, Many thanks for your wonderful comments. we are extremely happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay at leopard nest. we are even more happy that you have got the expected experience that we want to deliver. we expect guests like you to visit the leopard nest luxury camp site. thanks for sharing your experience. Best Regards..!