Kele Yala

–Great location - show map
+48 photos
Scored 8.9
Rated excellent

Staff

9.3

Property highlights

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About this property

Kele Yala is a boutique hotel located in the dry zone in Kataragama. It Offers barbecue facilities and on-site dining, Kele Yala is located just 15 minutes and 4.3 mi away from the Katagamuwa Entrance of Yala National Park, where there is less traffic compared to the main entrance of the National Park. The chalets are built on stilts 5 feet above the ground. Kele Yala provides all rooms with a balcony, and all rooms include a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. Rooms at the accommodations also feature air conditioning and a desk. The property offers a view of the surrounding wilderness.

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 8.8 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

Most popular amenities

  • Outdoor swimming pool
  • Family rooms
  • Free parking
  • Airport shuttle
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Room service
  • Restaurant

Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (8.8)

Breakfast Info

Vegetarian, Asian, American

Free Private Parking Available On Site

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Availability

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Accommodation Type
Number of guests
 
1 king bed
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Guests must meet one or more requirements to stay in this property: Proof of full Covid-19 vaccination, a recent valid negative coronavirus PCR test, or recent proof of coronavirus recovery.

Guest reviews

Categories:

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Facilities
Cleanliness
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Value for money
Location

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Guests who stayed here loved

Sam
Netherlands Netherlands
“We had a truly wonderful stay. The staff was super friendly and helpful, and we immediately felt welcome. The cottage itself was beautiful and comfortable, and the swimming pool was perfect for relaxing. The food was delicious with excellent...”
Giovanni
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates
“Place is gorgeous. Pool is awesome. Creative designs in the room really makes you feel like you’re outdoors on a safari. Staff is very kind, helpful and fun. The chef needs special recognition because we had a full board and the food was sublime...”
Evangelos
Greece Greece
“Beautiful property, well-maintained. It feels like in the middle of nowhere, at night so quiet, only some frog sounds. Room was clean, spacious. Bed was huge and comfortable, lovely after the day-long safari. Breakfast and dinner delicious (twice...”
Bruno
Brazil Brazil
“Very good location and nice staff! The pool in the middle of the park is a gift! Very close to the park entrance , they arranged a good safari for us (not cheap) and we saw leopards , elephants and all species of animals, wonderful park.”
Alexandre
Morocco Morocco
“Extremely friendly staff (they are absolute gems!!), great concept, amazing and tasty dinner, comfortable and well maintained room”
Fei
China China
“This wonderful wild camp site resort is absolutely fantastic, every detail is lovely and carefully designed, all use natural materials so it is totally integrated into nature. The room is spacious and comfortable. The welcome ice tea is so tasty.”
Karissa
United States United States
“This is a lovely little property with huge, beautiful (and very clean) rooms. Good in-room amenities. The service is exceptional -- some of the best I've experienced anywhere. The Sri Lankan food is excellent! The pool is very warm and a...”
Emma
United Kingdom United Kingdom
“Absolutely beautiful stay - the friendliest staff and the best food we had in all of Sri Lanka. Everything was perfect, they arranged our safaris for us which were fantastic and the staff were so kind with our baby girl. The pool was beautiful and...”
Erez
Israel Israel
“The staff was execellent, and the food was delicious. Everything was great and the location was very special. We had a pleasent stay there.”
Sanjay
India India
“Nice big room No noise . Good Caring Staff and Manager. Small cozy Pool. Has its own wildlife like Iguana, Barking dear, Birds. Pleasant toiletaries. Well spaced out rooms.On the whole good”

Managed by Kele Resorts

Company review score: 9.3Based on 211 reviews from 1 property
1 managed property

Company info

Kele Yala is a family-owned safari lodge registered under the business name Kele Resorts (Pvt.) Ltd. Founded in 2017, the company specialises in bespoke wildlife holiday packages, with the lodge situated close to the Katagamuwa Entrance of Yala National Park.

Property info

The journey begins with the people you meet at Kele and ends with memories of the experiences you've shared. We welcome you to join our journey in a place where time stands still and nature calls at your door. Kele is tucked away deep in the Dry Zone, situated just 15 minutes away from the Katagamuwa Entrance of Yala National Park, in South East Sri Lanka. Our chalets have been built on stilts to provide you with a panoramic view of the surrounding wilderness whilst ensuring safety at all times during your stay. Our mission is to create and maintain a balance between community and conservation. This is reflected in the fact that construction of the lodge prioritised the concept of "touching the earth lightly" by conserving the environment as much as possible. Relax with a good book, take a dip in the pool or head out on a game drive to spot the elusive leopard- there's something for everyone at Kele. So join us on our quest to explore the wild world- trust us, it's never too late.

Neighborhood info

Kele Yala is nestled in serene dry-zone wilderness off the beaten track, between Yala National Park & the Kataragama-Kirivehera Temple Complex. Yala National Park is globally appreciated for its high leopard density. Its Katagamuwa Entrance, known for the low number of jeeps that enter, is a mere 15-minute drive from the lodge. This minimises the time spent waiting in entrance-ticket queues and allows for a more tranquil start to your safari. On the other hand, the Kataragama-Kirivehera Temple Complex consists of two of the most culturally significant sites of worship in Sri Lanka- the Kataragama Kovil and the Kirivehera Temple. If you're looking to take a break from all-things wildlife- consider immersing yourself in our country's history to make your experience even richer. And what if you've explored these but still want more? You can top-off your camera reel by visiting the Lunugamvehera and Bundala National Parks or complete your deep-dive into history by visiting Wedihiti Kanda, the Sithulpawwa Temple and Sella Kataragama Kovil.

Language Spoken

English

Area info

Restaurants

1 Restaurant On Site
Restaurant #1
  • Cuisine
    Local • International • Grill/BBQ
  • Open for
    Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
  • Ambience
    Family-friendly • Traditional • Modern • Romantic
  • Dietary options
    Vegetarian • Vegan • Gluten-free • Dairy-free

House rules

Kele Yala takes special requests – add in the next step!
Check-in
From 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
You need to let the property know what time you'll be arriving in advance.
Check-out
From 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Enter your stay dates and check the conditions of your selected option.
Children & Beds

Child policies

Children of all ages are welcome.

To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.

Crib and extra bed policies

0+ years
Extra bed upon request
$20 per person, per night

Prices for extra beds aren't included in the total price. They'll have to be paid for separately during your stay.

The number of extra beds allowed depends on the option you choose. Check your selected option for more info.

There are no cribs available at this property.

All extra beds are subject to availability.

No age restriction
There's no age requirement for check-in
Accepted payment methods
VisaMastercardCash
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed.
Parties
Parties/events are not allowed
Pets
Pets are not allowed.

The fine print

Must-know information for guests at this property

Please inform Kele Yala of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.

This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), additional safety and sanitation measures are in effect at this property.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), this property is taking steps to protect the safety of guests and staff. Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable as a result.

Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), this property adheres to strict physical distancing measures.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), wearing a face mask is mandatory in all indoor common areas.

Guests must meet one or more requirements to stay in this property: Proof of full Covid-19 vaccination, a recent valid negative coronavirus PCR test, or recent proof of coronavirus recovery.