Leopard Trails Wilpattu

The glamping itself was excellent. The tents were beautiful and comfortable, the local food was an interesting and well-executed experience, and the lantern-lit romantic dinner with a jungle campfire barbecue felt special. As a couple's retreat, the camp works well. But the safari was the main reason we came, and that part was a major letdown. There were already unpleasant moments during booking. We were told paying with a certain card would raise the price significantly, which left a poor first impression. At around $1,000 per night, not including transfers, we expected a lot. We weren't told about practical safari preparations beforehand. After arriving from another part of the island, we were only then told to wear neutral, non-bright clothes. It felt ironic that our own safari jeep was bright red. We also weren't warned that recent flooding had closed a large part of Wilpattu National Park. That greatly reduced our already limited chance of seeing a leopard, which was the main aim of our trip. We'd specifically asked for a safari time with fewer vehicles and were assured that would be considered, but we still ran into heavy traffic jams of tourist jeeps in the park. When animals appeared, the guide didn't try to position the vehicle better, which limited our viewing and photography opportunities. The safari, the core purpose of our stay, was deeply disappointing. The camp pathways were poorly lit too. On the way to dinner, I hit my head on a sharp wooden spike sticking out of a tree. Shockingly, there wasn't even a basic first-aid kit, no disinfectant, tweezers, or anything to treat the wound properly. We had to improvise so the incident wouldn't spoil the rest of our stay. It's a beautiful, romantic glamping concept with great food and atmosphere, but the safari organization, communication, safety, and guest care had serious shortcomings. At this premium price, these problems shouldn't happen.

First class all the way. The tent was luxurious, the service excellent, and the food delicious. It feels like the top safari camp in Sri Lanka. Our guide Malmi was engaging and knowledgeable, and found all the big game for us in Wilpattu National Park.

The camp service was great, with staff always ready to help, and the food was high quality. The accommodation is lovely, and it's hard to believe you're staying in a tent. The safari was a little disappointing, though wildlife isn't predictable and you're not going to a zoo. Across four drives we saw one leopard, from quite far away. I thought the spotter could have engaged with us more, especially on two drives when there was room at the back. Still, it was an enjoyable experience.

The accommodation was faultless, the food was great, and the staff were excellent. We only stayed one night, and I really wish we'd booked longer. We went on two game drives with Captain Raj and our driver, both of whom were excellent. Their knowledge of and respect for wildlife stood out. The national park was stunning, and we were lucky enough to see bears, leopards, and a bull elephant hiding in the trees. The smaller wildlife, birds, and insects mattered just as much to me, and we saw lots of them too. Thank you, Matt and Sarah, London, England.