The Yala Safari Lodge is a comfortable resort style hotel. There is a good pool area near a main building which houses a bar and restaurant. The rooms are in a series single and two story chalets spread across the grounds. You have a good sized room, bathroom and personal seating area. The decor has a strong ‘safari’ theme. The sea is just a short stroll in one direction and a lagoon in the other.
Much thought has gone into minimising the environmental impact of the development. As you walk round the grounds you may well see the abundant wildlife, don’t be surprised if the odd monitor lizard (they are several feet in length) crosses your path. In the interests of the wildlife and the guests’ safety, journeys back to the hotel room are accompanied by hotel staff after dark.
The hotel is in the Yala Safari Park boundary, so game drives are easy. The trick is to get a good guide. However good your guide is, be prepared for several occasions when you will have a queue of four wheel drives everybody is in the way of everybody else. This could be a disappointment for some, especially those who have done safaris in Africa, but overall the experience was memorable and worthwhile.
