Rainforest Nest

The bungalow was spotless, with a stunning view, strong water pressure, and a level of cleanliness comparable to European standards. We also thought the pricing was very good for what we got. Umesha cooked really well and took care of everything we wanted. She’s lovely. Saman grew up in the village and is a very knowledgeable senior rainforest guide. He can spot, hear, and even smell animals. Both our night tour and Sinharaja rainforest tour were excellent. He knew where to look and took time to search, calling us over whenever he found something. Our group had just three people, while other guides seemed to hurry through with large tourist groups and miss hidden wildlife. We saw lots of animals, including rare birds. He can help with birding checklists, and he took most of our best animal photos too. He’s a great photographer. We had a great time at Rainforest Nest and were welcomed like family.

The night tour was the standout for us, with a memorable glimpse of local wildlife. We also loved the fresh, flavorful dinner and breakfast. Our room was clean, comfortable, and welcoming, and the friendly, attentive staff made the stay even nicer. We had a wonderful time at Rainforest Nest and would recommend it to anyone wanting rainforest scenery with good food and comfort.

The evening tours no longer go into the protected rainforest because of official rules, and instead take place around the village. That still made for a very interesting outing with different wildlife and insights. Saman puts a tremendous amount of effort into finding animals. The natural pond outside the rooms draws plenty of wildlife, and if you sit on the balcony for a few minutes, you might spot otters, snakes, monitor lizards, owls, other lizards, kingfishers, and more. The location and the hosts were the main reasons our stay at Rainforest Nest in Sinharaja was so special. Sri Lankan hospitality is usually excellent, but Saman and his wife were on another level. She was caring and kind, and cooked delicious meals with generous portions. The rooms are a little dated, but the hospitality, atmosphere, and chance to enjoy nature more than made up for that. We wholeheartedly recommend the place and would definitely return.

We wouldn't hesitate to come back. Nalaka, the friendly driver they arranged for us, made the journey an experience too, stopping at waterfalls, and we were lucky enough to see an elephant along the way. Saman and Umesha made us feel at home right away. The room was lovely and clean, with a beautiful view, and sitting on the veranda was especially relaxing. The whole place felt peaceful. Saman was enthusiastic and knew so much about the rainforest on our tour. Umesha looked after us so well, and her cooking was delicious. We were truly impressed by them both.