Leel’s Safari Cottage

A great stay! Leel is a very lovely and supportive person and the cottages are just based next to his home. They are still quite new with good standards just in the middle of his nice garden (it‘s in the nature, some smaller animals have to be expected). Food is outstandingly good prepared by his mum and wife. Leel also provides great safari tours and transfers at very reasonable prices with comfortable cars. Anytime again!

We would have loved to stay longer!

The rooms front door had big cracks in it, i was told from the heat but i stuffed the cracks with tissues to make sure nothing came in. Huge ant infestation in the bathroom and main space. Just kept finding hundreds of them dead on the floors and alive one climbing up all the walls. The restaurant there is awful. The food had zero flavour and no skill. Worst place I’ve eaten in Sri Lanka.

Leel is ongelooflijk vriendelijk en helpt je met alles! Hij spreekt heel goed Engels. Z'n mama kookt heerlijk en de locatie is prachtig!!!

It was a really nice room and set in gardens.

Leel ist wirklich ein herzensguter Mensch. Er hat uns von unserer vorherigen Unterkunft abgeholt und wir haben uns von Beginn an sehr wohl bei ihm gefühlt. Das Safari Cottage ist mit ganz viel Liebe eingerichtet und sehr sauber gewesen. Auch die Anlage selbst ist sehr gepflegt und wunderschön. Das Highlight war für uns das Essen, was seine Mutter mit ganz viel Liebe für uns gekocht hat (sowohl das Abendessen als auch das Frühstück). Es war wahrscheinlich sogar das beste Essen, was wir auf Sri Lanka bekommen haben und wir haben hier wirklich sehr gut gegessen😅). Auch die Safari, die er für uns organisiert hat, war wirklich toll.

Clean and spacious rooms, warm hospitality and incredible food cooked by Leel’s mother. One of my best meals in Sri Lanka.

Der Aufenthalt in Leel‘s Cottage kann ich wärmstens empfehlen. Das Zimmer war super sauber und toll eingerichtet. Leel und seine Mutter lesen einem jeden Wunsch von den Augen ab. Sehr hilfsbereit. Und unbedingt dort das Abendessen geniessen, wunderbar lecker. Die Safari war top organisiert. Hatte alles gestimmt. Danke !

Stayed at Leel's with my family, including 3 kids. Leel was a kind and attentive host. His mother's cooking was fantastic! Leel arranged a safari tour with Navee, who was great, knowledgable and drove safely. The cottages are simple but clean, with good a/c and hot water. We'd happily stay there again. Or we would even return just for Leel's mom's cooking...

This was such a magical stay! I was completely blown away by how nice the property and rooms were. Leel and his mother were also really lovely and accommodating. A wonderful stay.

el alojamiento en si y el entorno. todo maravilloso

ojo con comer allí, no te dan opciones y además te lo cobran bien

From the moment Leel picked us up from the airport, we felt we were in the best hands. Leel organized our safari with an experienced and very friendly driver, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Both in the morning and evening, we were treated to delicious meals lovingly prepared by Leel’s mother — honestly, the best Sri Lankan food we had during our trip. We can highly recommend staying at Leel’s place. It is clean, peaceful, beautifully designed, and truly feels like paradise. Thank you, Leel. We hope to see you again the next time we visit Sri Lanka!

Der Gastgeber war super freundlich und hilfsbereit. Das Abendessen ist sehr zu empfehlen und kann frei dazu gebucht werden :) Auch Ausflüge wurden seinerseits organisiert und er unterstützte uns bei der Weiterfahrt zum nächsten Punkt unserer Reise :)

We had such a lovely stay at Leel’s Safari Cottage in Udawalawe. Even though we stayed only one night before our safari, the place felt incredibly warm and homely. Surrounded by trees, it truly feels like a little cottage tucked away in the jungle. Leel was amazing - super helpful, always up for a conversation, and genuinely such a nice person to talk to. His adorable rescue pup Rookie was also a highlight of the stay! The Sri Lankan rice and curry dinner cooked by Leel’s mother was absolutely delicious, and the sweet pancakes at breakfast were unforgettable. Leel also helped us arrange a safari jeep for a very reasonable price and even organised a relaxing massage at a nearby local spa. Everything was smooth, comfortable, and thoughtfully arranged. Overall, a fantastic stay and one we’d definitely recommend!

We had a wonderful stay and can highly recommend this place. The family atmosphere made us feel at home from the very first moment. Leel truly does everything possible to make sure every guest has a perfect experience and is always kind, helpful, and attentive. Everything is very well maintained, clean, and cared for with great attention to detail. The food was absolutely delicious – fresh, homemade, and full of flavor. It is something we will remember for a long time. Thank you for such a warm and unforgettable stay. We would be happy to come back again!

Super schön und gemütlich eingerichtetes Cottage, man spürt die liebe zum Detail und fühlt sich gleich super wohl. Leel hat hier fantastische Arbeit geleistet. Alles super sauber und wir hatten auch ein sehr feines Curry bei ihm. Leel ist ein einmaliger Gastgeber und erklärt vieles, wir haben sehr viel von ihm über Sri Lanka gelernt. Das einzig schade, wir konnten nur eine Nacht bleiben…

We stayed here for two nights and had an absolutely wonderful experience. The host organized a safari for us, which was truly amazing. Our driver was very friendly and knowledgeable, and we were lucky to see so many animals – it was simply beautiful and unforgettable. The accommodation itself was excellent. The rooms are beautifully designed and very comfortable, and the bathroom is especially well done – modern and spacious. What made our stay even more special was the incredibly kind and welcoming family. You can really feel their warmth and care. The food was absolutely delicious – every meal was a highlight.

There was nothing we didn’t like.

Das Cottage hat eine sehr schöne Einrichtung, alles ist sehr neuwertig und liebevoll eingerichtet. Es gibt sogar ein Moskitonetz, was bei Bedarf genutzt werden kann. Wir hatten aber keinerlei Moskitos oder andere Insekten in unserem Raum. Das grüne Badezimmer ist ein kleines Highlight für sich. Wir haben das Dinner hinzugebucht, welches von Leels Mutter zubereitet wurde. Das Essen war wirklich super lecker und für uns persönlich das beste was wir bis dato in Sri Lanka gegessen haben. Wir haben außerdem über Leel unsere Safari Tour gebucht, was wir ebenfalls empfehlen können. Vielen Dank!

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Wir waren zwei Tage dort. Der Gastgeber Leel und seine Familie haben alle unsere Wünsche erfüllt. Neben dem leckeren Frühstück hatten wir auch das Abendessen gebucht. Dieses ist sehr zu empfehlen. Vielen Dank für die schöne Zeit.

Es war super sauber und modern eingerichtet. Das Abendessen war super lecker und wir haben die von Leel organisierte Safari mitgemacht. Die hat uns auch sehr gefallen.

Wundervolle Unterkunft mit einem bezaubernden Gastgeber, inkl. Familie!

Super tolle Lage, um die Safari zu machen. Der Gastgeber war super freundlich, wir haben hier zu Abend gegessen, es war sehr lecker. Die Unterkunft is super modern und schön gemütlich eingerichtet. Das Frühstück (hatten wir als To Go), dass wir auf der Safari gegessen haben, die wir über die Unterkunft gebucht haben war lecker und die 6 Stunden Safari super. Haben viele Elefanten gesehen. Nur zu empfehlen!!

I had a great stay at leel’s!! Mums food was as good as you can get, we LOVED IT!! And Leel was extremely helpful and informative. It was a great walk through the jungle to get to our place, very clean, spacious and the aircon worked a treat. Will be back for the Safari!!

Leel and his family were super welcoming and helpful from taxiing us to and from the booking, cooking delicious meals, and organizing the safari! The guide was respectful of nature, patient, and shared helpful information and pictures from a book for reference. It was pouring when we arrived and Leel moved our luggage to the room for us. The room itself and the bathroom were super clean and spacious! The whole area is so beautiful! Great AC and wifi in the room. I also appreciated how responsive the host was which made communication and planning easy!

just make sure to have rupees!

The host and his family were very welcoming, they organised our transport and safari tour. The dinner was delicious! The room is spacious and comfortable.

Nous n'avons pas séjourné longtemps et l'entrée dans les lieux a été un peu compliquée mais ils ont trouvé un arrangement pour pouvoir accéder au logement et nous accepter tardivement également. Personnel agréable et gentil qui organisent le safari tout inclus et sur demande pour un prix intéressant. Le logement en lui-même était splendide pour le coup. Nous recommandons !

Leel is an amazing host who enjoys a chat. Room was spacious & clean. We had his Mums famous curry & rice for our evening meal😋 The following day one of Leel’s team took us on Safari which was unbelievable😊 Check out Garlic restaurant that’s next door, fab place for a beer & chillax

I had such a wonderful stay at Leel’s place in Udawalawe and couldn’t recommend it more. From the very beginning, Leel was incredibly responsive and helpful. I was traveling from Hiriketiya, and he kindly arranged transportation for me at a very fair price. The journey itself was enjoyable—he’s such a friendly and genuine person, and we had a great chat along the way. The cottage was beautiful and clearly made with a lot of care and attention to detail. The garden was especially lovely—well maintained, peaceful, and the perfect place to relax, even for a short stay. We had dinner there, and it was hands down the best local meal I had during my trip. Leel’s mom is an amazing cook—the food was incredibly flavorful and made with so much love. If you stay here, you absolutely have to try the dinner. Leel also arranged our morning safari, and everything went smoothly. They even prepared and packed a generous and delicious breakfast for us to take along, which was such a thoughtful touch. What really stood out was the warmth and hospitality. You truly feel welcomed like family here. If you’re visiting Udawalawe, don’t even think twice—just book Leel’s place. You won’t regret it!

Accueil chaleureux, le bungalow au milieu des bananiers et autres plantes tropicales est bien ammenagé, le repas du soir (curry 7 plats) était parfait. Nous avons fait le safari sur une journée, notre chauffeur a été formidable: de nombreuses explications, un oeil sûr pour repèrer les animaux, un trajet à l'écart des grands flux.

RAS

Leel was a wonderful Host. Leel’s Safari Cottage was stunning. Beautiful accom, gardens & his mums food was probably one of the best we have had in Sri Lanka. We did a safari with them as well which was wonderful the breakfast supplied by Leels’s wife Nameel delicious. Nothing was too hard. Very generous people.

Nothing

Everything. The organisation of our morning Safari and the drive to the elephant transit home was flawless, the Room was so comfortable and big with AC and also fly net. The whole area and room are made with lots of love and gives a super cool jungle vibe. The dinner was crazy delicious, we never had anything like it during our whole stay in Sri Lanka. Many different kinds of curry and lots of it! All were exeptional. And the breakfast for the morning we took with us was also nicely prepared and delicious. We can really recommend to stay here!

Nous sommes venus chez Leel’s Safari Cottage pour faire un safari d’une demi-journée et passer une nuit sur place, et l’expérience a été vraiment super. Nous avons été très bien accueillis par Leel et sa famille. Le safari était génial : notre driver/guide est clairement passionné par les animaux et très respectueux de la nature, ce qui rend l’expérience encore plus agréable. Il nous a expliqué beaucoup de choses et nous avons eu la chance de voir de nombreux animaux — même si, bien sûr, dans un parc naturel on ne sait jamais exactement ce que l’on va croiser, et c’est aussi ce qui fait le charme de l’expérience ! Le soir, nous avons dîné sur place et avons passé un très beau moment à discuter avec la maman de Leel, qui est une personne absolument adorable. Après une nuit au calme dans un lodge charmant, en pleine nature et très confortable, nous avons aussi pris le temps d’échanger avec Leel le lendemain matin. Il a répondu à beaucoup de nos questions et c’était vraiment enrichissant. Encore merci pour votre accueil et cette belle expérience !

Rien

The rooms are beautiful and so clean with a really nice patio outside. Looks even better than in the pictures! The owner and his family prepared a lovely Sri Lankan dinner for us and organized our safari for the next day. Everything went really smoothly and communication with the host was easy and really friendly!

Super cool gardens with fun birds to look at. The host was extremely helpful and accommodating. Helps you with whatever you need. Very clean! Delicious dinner and breakfast.

Absolument tout !!!

I liked everything about the property, but especially the people. Leel, his wife, and his adorable mother made me feel like part of the family. The meals were exceptional, and they kindly tuned down the spice level to make their amazing dishes more to the liking of my sensitive palate. Leel arranged everything from an afternoon Safari to transportation to my next location about 3 hours away. My time there was so much more than I ever expected, one of many wonderful experiences during the month I spent in Sri Lanka. Thank you, Leel, for two beautiful days with you and your family!

Nothing!!

Leel´s Safari Cottage ist eine wundervolle Unterkunft mit zwei charmanten Bungalows und einem idyllischen Garten im ruhigen Viertel von Udawalawe. Die geschmackvoll eingerichteten Zimmer verfügen über sehr bequeme Doppelbetten und saubere Badezimmer mit Dusche sowie über eine eigene, herrliche Terrasse, auf der wir gemütlich sitzen konnten. Gastgeber Leel und seine Familie sind ausgesprochen freundlich, offen und sehr hilfsbereit. Wir führten wunderbare Gespräche über Kultur und das Leben in Sri Lanka. Das Frühstück und das traditionelle Abendessen von Leel´s Mutter waren hervorragend, reichhaltig und frisch zubereitet. Sie bieten auch einen günstigen und schnellen Wäscheservice. Auch die von Leel organisierte Tagessafari in den Udawalawe-Nationalpark war fantastisch. Dilip unser Guide war super, er ging gerne auf unsere Wünsche ein und führte uns auch in weniger befahrene Gegenden des Nationalparks. Wir konnten uns beim Beobachten und Fotografieren der Elefanten und anderer Tiere soviel Zeit lassen, wie wir es wünschten. Spontan konnten wir noch eine Nacht länger bleiben. Wir können diese fantastische Unterkunft wirklich weiterempfehlen und kommen sehr gerne wieder!

leelさんをはじめ、コテージを運営する方々（ご家族、ガイドさん）の人柄、家庭的でとても美味しいご飯、知識満載でたくさんの動物を見つけてくれたガイドさんのサファリ。特に人柄についてですが、予定時間を大幅に遅くなった私をあたたかい笑顔とあたたかくん素晴らしい料理で迎えてくださり、その後も充電器を貸してくれたり、お水の有無を気にしてくれたり、待ち時間には紅茶を出してくれました。お部屋もとても清潔です。 「気遣い」と「ホスピタリティ」で溢れています。 帰りは、leelさんが空港まで6時間も運転してくださいました。leelさんは気さくで視野が広い方でした。3日間の短すぎるスリランカ旅でしたが、ここのコテージのお陰でスリランカの魅力をたくさん感じられました。

何もありません！

Ystävällinen henkilökunta. Kauniit huoneet rauhallisessa ja vehreässä puutarhassa. Lee järjesti upean safarin Udawalawen kansallispuistoon ja hänen äitinsä laittoi herkullisen kanacurryn illalliseksi.

Ei mitään

We had the perfect stay here! Leel and his mother are such kind hosts and made the experience unforgettable. The breakfast and dinner were delicious and homecooked. The Cottage itself was beautifully designed and clean. We also booked the safari with Leel and I recommend everyone to do so! We had a beautiful private experience. Leel picked us also up in Tangalle before and drove us to our next stop Ella.

Nice place to stay over the night for the safari, you get everything you need. Dont miss the dinner, it’s made by Leel’s mother and it was so tasty! He also drove us to our next stop.

Sehr schönes modernes Zimmer, viel Platz. Leel hat uns für einen guten Preis sowohl bei unserer vorherigen Unterkunft abgeholt, als auch zur nächsten gebracht. Safari konnte direkt bei ihm gebucht werden, diese war wirklich toll! Abendessen von seiner Mutter war sehr lecker.

Abendessen war vergleichsweise teuer. Kommunikation teilweise etwas schwierig, wir hatten im Voraus nach Informationen zu Safari gefragt und keine Antworten bekommen. Unterkunft und Safari sollten am Ende bar bezahlt werden, bei so einem Betrag müsste man das allerdings vorher wissen, da die Unterkunft im Nirgendwo liegt

Such a great place to stay! Leel‘s Safari Cottage is a little „Bijoux“ in Udawalawa! The cottage is very spacious, very clean and so charming. The nature around is just magic and Leel and his family famous hosts. We would definitely come again and recommend the hotel our friends and family. If you‘re thinking about to stay there: Do it! :-) We booked the full day (12 hours) safari. It was long but so worth it! We also enjoyed dinner at the hotel. Great curry cookes by Leel‘s mother. Leel could tell us so many interesting things about Sri Lanka and the nature. That was great! Thank you Leel & family for the great experience.

Leel and his family created the most magical experience for us and I cannot speak highly enough of our time with them. Before arrival to the cottage, Leel organised transport for us from Ella, the Safari Tour and our dinner at the cottage. Our check in was easy and the cottage was absolutely beautiful - quiet, peaceful and its own sanctuary. We had dinner prepared by Leel’s wife and mother which was delicious, containing 6 different authentic curries. The next morning we celebrated my partners birthday with a cake, balloons and the whole family joining us for happy birthday, again organised by Leel. The safari tour was 6 hours and absolutely amazing - spotting lots of elephants, monkeys, toucans and much much more. You definitely need to do the 6 hour tour at minimum to see enough. Leel then drive us to Arugam Bay as we had not prepared transport yet, joined by his amazing wife. Leel and his family made this experience for us while also giving us our own space. I could not recommend this stay enough!

My stay in this house felt like a dream. The entrance to the room is surrounded by greenery, giving the impression of being in the middle of the jungle. We also had a safari organized with them, led by a young and capable guide, and it was a wonderful experience. Breakfast in the national park was not only very pleasant but also delicious. Dinner, however, was not satisfying compared to other meals we had in Sri Lanka — the portion of chicken was very small, and overall the food felt a bit lacking.

Het huisje, de veranda en de badkamer zijn adembenemend mooi en super schoon. Je krijgt het gevoel als of je je eigen spa inloopt. Daarbij zijn Leel, zijn vrouw en moeder ontzettend lief en gastvrij. Je voelt je als een familievriend die op bezoek is, ondanks dat we er maar 1 nachtje verbleven. Achteraf hadden we hier langer willen verblijven en hadden wij dan de safari meegepakt! Zowel het avondeten en ontbijt van de mama van Leel was geweldig. Lekkerste eten hands down van wat we tot nu toe hebben gegeten in Sri Lanka.

Niets!!!

Everything was perfect.. Room best we’ve had..even saw a mongoose from our bed..also the food and the safari was beyond our expectations ..Such a lovely family and Leel was the perfect host. His nephew drove us to Elle in his brand new hybrid HIGHLY RECOMMENDED LEELS

nothing

De hartelijke ontvangst door Leel en het heerlijke avondmaal dat zijn echtgenote voor ons maakte! De safari met gids Naweeën was werkelijk onvergetelijk. We deden gull day safari en zagen meer dan 30 olifanten, krokodillen, apen, buffels, herten, jakhalzen en tal van exotische vogels; telkens voorzien van de nodige uitleg.

Niets

Leels Cottage absolutely exceeded our expectations, the cottage really is a luscious private haven and I wouldn’t change a thing. The room is so stylish and the photos don’t do it justice. The safari was absolutely amazing and Leel pulled over a couple of times to collect litter, one piece would have been particularly harmful to the wildlife, which shows his care and commitment to his job and the animals. Leel always maintained a very respectful distance to animals, which worked very much in our favour as one elephant approached us and grazed a metre from the truck. The safari breakfast made by Leel’s wonderful mum and wife was incredible, they really know how to do a picnic breakfast. The dinner we had at Leels was perfect, we could not be more impressed. 10/10 stay

Our only wish is to have had more time to stay to explore the little town and really relax in such a gorgeous place.

Leel and his family really made us feel at home and even surprised me with a birthday cake. The property is a lush leafy oasis in Udawalawe and the home cooking was exceptional. We also organised our safari with Leel and he expertly guided us through the national park. We saw at least 2 herds of elephants with babies, buffalo, crocodiles, various deer and lots of birds. A wonderful experience all round!

Leel was absolutely great, we had a lovely stay here! The whole family were so helpful and friendly. We went on safari with Leel which was so easy and it was amazing we saw soooo many animals including elephants and crocodiles! We also had dinner here and it was a lovely spread, really nice food!

Very minor issue but the aircon was a little loud which disturbed our sleep a little.

Leel und seine Familie bieten grossartige Cottages und ein unvergessliches Ambiente. Es hat alles super gepasst, vom super leckeren Essen, über die tolle Safari, welche wir über Leel buchen konnten, bis zu den gemütlichen Cottages, welche sehr liebevoll gebaut und gepflegt werden.

La struttura è un paradiso terrestre, molto curato. La camera è spaziosa e possiede tutti i comfort. Leel e la sua famiglia sono disponibili e accoglienti. La comunicazione è stata sempre veloce ed efficace, la cena è stata deliziosa. Ad oggi il mio soggiorno migliore in Sri Lanka. Anche il Safari è stato un’esperienza unica. Naveen era molto preparato e ci ha fatto vedere un sacco di elefanti e altri animali.

Nulla, tutto perfetto.

Leel and his family are the most amazing people, and the property is just beautiful! The rooms are what I'd call Sri Lankan jungle-chich, very curated clean and comfy. We had lunch, dinner and a breakfast on-the-go and the food was always great. Leel personally guided our safari and it was awesome, he is very knowledgeable and loves what he does, which is very visible :) He even offered to take us to our next destination with his jeep, providing us with a panoramic fun trip there. We would definitely recommend this property but don't book too much, we're hoping to find it available next time we come too ;)

everything was perfect!

Extremely good value for money. Gorgeous spacious room, lovely outdoor area. Best food in Sri Lanka cooked my Leel’s lovely mum. Leel provides a good safari, great knowledge of the park and animals.

Our stay at Leel’s place was amazing. It is a warm family home, and they were very helpful during our stay. Leel is a very kind man and he gave us an amazing safari in the Udawalawe park, including drinks, snacks and good stories. His mother is a wonderful lady and a very good cook. We loved her breakfast and dinners. Leel’s wife gave me and my friend pedicures with a really nice massage. The room we stayed in was beautiful, really clean and had everything we needed. Overall, we had a wonderful experience at Leel’s!

This stay was a great experience! The accommodation is a beautiful oasis, and the cottage was very modern and clean. Communication online was good. Leel adviced us to do an afternoon safari instead of morning. Happy we listened to him! We saw around 40 elephants, a crocodile and many other animals. The food prepared by Leels mother was the best we have had in Sri Lanka, both dinner and breakfast. Such a lovely woman! The driving that Leel arranged was in a modern, compact minivan, with belts and aircondition. Driven by his nephew in a safe manner. He picked us up in Ella, and drove us to Yala. The day after he also drove us to next location. Incredibly kind. Bring bug spray!!

Everything was great

We had a wonderful stay at Leel’s place! The rooms were spacious and very clean. The food was absolutely delicious – freshly cooked by Leel’s mother and wife with lots of love. We were warmly welcomed by the whole family and felt right at home. The safari was another amazing part of our stay. Leel was a fantastic guide – knowledgeable, passionate, and made the whole experience unforgettable. All in all, it was a great package and a truly memorable experience. Many thanks again to the lovely family!

The cottage was devine - beautifully designed, extremely comfortable, with both outside and inside to relax. Leel keeps the gardens gorgeous so it really felt like we were staying in a tropical paradise. Dinner and breakfast was provided by his family who were generous and fantastic cooks. We also choose to take a safari with Leel, who was expert in spotting the smallest of animals in Udawalawe - Elephants of course, but all types of birds, monkeys, big and small lizards, crocodiles, mongoose, deer... you name it. He's definitely an animal lover and we really appreciated this! We felt very lucky.

Leel also can do pick up and drop offs - if I had known this I would have arranged with him to pick us up and drop us back to Colombo instead of the random driver we organised with. Make sure you check with him if it's possible!

The cottage was wonderful! Spacious, comfortable and very clean, and the garden - truly amazing! All breakfasts, dinners and suppers were delicicious, especially the rice with curry was one of the best we've tried in Sri Lanka! There was a warm, homely atmosphere. Leel took us on a full day safari and thanks to him we've seen elephants, buffaloes, deers, mangooses, hornbills and many many other species of animals. Leel has a great knowledge of nature, which he shared with us in an interesting way, making the safari both entertaining and educational. We definitely recommend it! PS. I've lost my earing at the cottage and Leel sent it to me - he’s really the best!

Wow, what a place to stay. Facilities were fantastic, room and garden is beautiful. Delicious dinner and breakfast. We went for a safari with Leel and it's been the highlight of our trip, so passionate about wildlife and nature and the preservation of Sri Lanka's beauty. Couldn't recommend this place enough!

Nothing at all.

Leel and his cottage are just wonderful! Our best stay in Sri Lanka so far and it will be extremely difficult to top it. The breakfast and dinner were simply delicious, the accommodation very clean, modern and incredibly lovingly furnished. It is even more beautiful than you can imagine from the photos. As a nature lover, I can only recommend the safari with Leel! It was important to me not to drive in convoys so as not to stress the animals unnecessarily and it was so nice that he was of the same opinion! We were alone most of the time which made it very exclusive for us. Leel has a lot of experience in what he does and not only shared his knowledge about the animals with us but also about the impressive flora! We are so grateful for the wonderful experience and to have met such lovely people. Many Love from us!

A fantastic experience, which went beyond the start and finish. Leel and his family are the most wonderful people and put lots of love and care into hosting. They go well above and beyond for their guests - I had left one of my personal belongings at the room and Leel arranged to get it to me in Mirissa that same day, without even asking The food here is delicious - definitely try dinner, you'll experience a wide variety of foods beyond the just the standard cuisine I went for the half day safari in the morning, and Leel's experience in being a safari tour guide clearly showed - he doesn't take the standard 'loop' as he knows the best hidden spots. He's well respected by the other tour guides - the Safari King! 👑

The Stay at Leel's Safari Cottage was amazing. The room was so nice and clean, the area was amazing, the food was delicious and my highlight was the safari with Leel. He explained us so much about the animals, nature and the life in Sri Lanka. I was staying at the cottage as solo traveller and I felt so welcomed and at home. I can highly recommend to book a stay and the safari with Leel. I am still smiling if I think about the stay and the safari.

Sometimes when you travel, you stumble upon a hidden gem… We didn’t expect such a luxurious, beautifully designed cottage surrounded by a stunning garden — especially for this price! The cottage was spotlessly clean and truly a feast for the eyes. The food was also delicious! We only wish we could have stayed longer than one night. Lee and his wife are the embodiment of joy. You can genuinely feel their love for the community and the animals in the safari park. We highly recommend staying here!

Booking Leel's safari was one of the best decisions we made during our trip to Sri Lanka. Leel's safari guiding skills are fantastic; his animal ID ability is amazing and he is very respectful of the animals giving them plenty of space. The accomodation is fantastic (we particularly enjoyed the outdoor swing seat) the food tasty and family welcome wonderful. We did quite a lot of research before booking this and were really pleased with how it panned out. Watch out for accommodation that seems very cheap - it probably means you will be charged a lot for a poor quality safari trip.

Nothing we would change.

Immaculate rooms, comfy beds, lovely outdoor seating by the garden. Hot showers. Fridge too if needed. And Leel and his family, as others have rightly said, are the perfect hosts. Leel is a great guide - knowledgable, perfect English (which is super handy on a safari, as we have experienced elsewhere) and kind. And it’s true - his mum will cook you a feast for the evening meal that you’re unlikely to be able to conquer even with a healthy appetite! A big thank you from all of us. Our 13 year old daughter, despite the early alarm call to get to the safari, said ‘I’m so pleased we did the long option’ as we headed back to the lodge

Nothing at all

This was by far the best place we stayed in Sri Lanka. The property is absolutely beautiful- the photos do not do it justice. Leel and his family are some of the loveliest and kindest people I’ve met. We did a safari tour with Leel and he is so passionate and knowledgeable, and his mother cooked us a Sri Lankan dinner and it was the best food we had. Highly recommend!!

Hidden away are two magic rooms at the back of this property run by Leel and his family. Super comfortable and perfect for a relaxing couple days. The national park is the main draw for the area and Leel himself arranged and guided us and shared a lot of knowledge about the animals but also the plants and ecosytems. Couldn't ask for more. Also DO NOT skip the dinners there as Leel's mother and wife cook the most amazing Sri Lankan food. You will not be disappointed to book them. He is also a problem solver so any questions you have just let him know. I'm so happy we picked this homestay and got to know Leel and his family a bit and enjoy their place. Also great communication leading up to our stay. Can't recommend highly enough.

There is not much around the area aside from the Park, but that goes for all places there. The morning safari is the real draw and 100% worth the visit. But you can have a bit of a walk in the village. Probably 10 minute jeep ride to the Park.

We had a great time at Leel‘s cottage. Even before arriving, the communication was seamless, and Leel was very quick to respond to every question we had. He also organized a transport for us from Tangalle to Udawalawa, and then to Ella after leaving at very fair prices. We felt very welcomed by Leel and his family, and ‚at home‘. We also did the half day Safari with Leel and had an amazing time. We saw many animals, and Leel spotted many that we would not even have noticed. We had the breakfast & dinner at the hotel as well, prepared by Leel‘s mother, and it was very delicious! We would definitely come back, should we ever come to visit again :)

Everything. So nicely done, all details are perfect. The owner is amazing and the food also.

Spacious bungalow in lovely garden with outdoor seating including a swing chair. Paid 80 USD pp to do the safari with Leel from 6-12am includes stop for breakfast. Saw elephants. Recommend eating dinner there for 2200 pp cooked by Leel’s mum. lovely friendly family

Amazing location Wonderful owners and staff. I would DEFINITELY stay here again.

You can book this cottage without hesitating! The rooms are very clean, well decorated and you can feel that Leel really thought through each cottage so that you have privacy and comfort. Leel, his wife and his mom made our stay unforgettable. We felt like at home. From delicious meals to an amazing safari and discovering amazing people, everything was just perfect! And you should definitely go on the full day safari with Leel, he’s been doing that for 14years, he respects the animals life and environment, and he knows where to go so that you are not with many jeeps. We had an amazing time!

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Our stay at Leel's was just a delight! Leel currently has two newly opened guest bungalows in the midst of his fabulously green garden behind his living house. He, his wife and mother were warmly welcoming and hosting us! Our stay started with a safari with Leel (do the safari with him!), which had a very personal touch, and in back in the evening we had a super yummy dinner prepared by the ladies - not to speak of the breakfast the morning after! Our room was modern with a tasteful interior. The bathroom was even decorated with some bigger green plants. We just loved it! We absolutely recommend staying here and would definitely come back to this warm and welcoming place! Thank you so much, Leel & family!

We had the best experience with Leel! He and his family are just fantastic! The two little cottages are very comfortable and clean. You have literally everything you could ask for. Dinner was amazing and the breakfast during the safari must have been the best of all breakfasts in the national park! Leel was also great with our little son. He is an excellent guide and we had a great safari with a lost of elephants, crocodiles and other animals. Leel explained a lot about the nature of the park, which we really loved! 100 % recommendable 😍

Leel and his family are the most wonderful hosts you can imagine. We walked into what seemed to be a paradise. A beautiful garden with trees and flowers and we were received with a cold drink. The room was perfect. Hidden in the jungle, very clean and spacious. Leel's mother cooked a lovely dinner with Sri Lankan dishes and the next day Leel took us on a 6hr safari in Udawalawe national park. Leel knows a lot about the park and he seems to know all the good and quiet spots so we got to meet a lot of different wildlife up close. For our departure he arranged a taxi to Ella for a very reasonable price, so nothing but praise for Leel and his cottage

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Everything, every little detail, was just fascinating. The rooms are set in an amazingly beautiful garden, and are very well equipped & super comfortable. Treat yourself to local dinner - so far our best meal in Sri Lanka (and we had many very good dinners before!), don't miss it. As for the hosts - everyone was super friendly and welcoming, we were served delicious tea upon arrival and Leel spoke very good English. As for the safari - we can't imagine a better guide taking care of us. Leel knew the park very well (showed us beautiful places off the beaten path), you could see he cared very much for the wellbeing of present animals and was very knowledgeable about them. Overall, he's a guy that would save you even from a charging elephant.

Leel and his family made us feel very welcome. The room was exceptional value as it was very spacious and had all the required facilities. They could charge more for these rooms easily. If you are going to book a safari trip, then book with Leel. We had a wonderful trip. On another note, Leel's mother can provide you with an evening meal if you let him know.....it was absolutely delicious.

This was a beautifully kept couple of rooms in a serene surrounding- you feel like you’re in a peaceful oasis in a tropical garden. We were 15 mins to a Safari where we saw 10 elephants at once including a baby!! It was a magical experience and we didn’t stop smiling and laughing with Leel. He was knowledgable, funny, warm and welcoming. Leel and his family were uncommonly kind, the food was hands down the best we had in Sri Lanka, all absolutely delicious and fresh and different. We would return in a heartbeat and in fact intend to.

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We loved everything here. Leel and his familly are amazing hosts. We felt so welcomed here. We had our dinner and breakfast at the place and the food is truly amazing. We stayed only for one night, but if we knew how nice is the place and Leel's family before, we would have stayed longer!! We also did the Safari with Leel, which I highly recommend. Leel is an expert and is able to spot a lot of animals. We even seen the Sri Lankan Leopard! If you're looking for a place to stay in Udawalawe, it's definitely the right place.

Leel's Safari Cottage is much more than just accommodation. It's hard to explain how well we were welcomed by Leel and his family. The attention to detail, where nothing is lacking for their guests. An incredible accommodation, well looked after, thought out down to the smallest detail. As hosts in our country we are quite demanding and critical of the accommodations where we usually stay, but here, a rating of 10 is not enough. It exceeded all expectations and it's good to realize that here, welcoming guests is more than just a business. It's done from the heart. I can only recommend that you leave your entire experience in Leel's hands, from the meals to the safari. Leel, thank you very much for welcoming us so well.

Accomodation exceeded expectations, from the room, hospitality, food, atmosphere, all of it. Leel organised a safari for my partner and I, which was an unforgettable experience. Thank you Leel and to your family for hosting us

We absolutely loved staying at Leel's cottage. The welcome by him and his wife was super nice, and the garden on their property looks like the garden of Eden! Especially the walkway to the cottage - WOW! And we were so pleasantly surprised by the size and comfort of the cottage. It was super clean and nice and the bed very comfortable. And then best of all was Leel. He took us on a 6-hour safari and he was such a great guide. He was very knowledgeable, showing us even the smaller animals that we couldn't see. And we saw so many elephants with him! We also got to talk to him after dinner, and the kind and interesting discussions are some of my favorite memories of our whole trip. If you're looking for where to stay in the area, I would highly recommend Leel's place.

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Leel is an amazing host. Cottage is beautiful and has a wonderful and very green garden. Really an oasis. The food was the best curry we had in Sri Lanka! Can only recommend this place

Everything, from pre-stay communication, to the welcome, to Leel’s professionalism, to the delightful, comfortable and peaceful “cottage”, to Leel’s mum & wife’s cooking, to the half-day safari, was exceptional. The decor and quality of everything in the little one-bedroomed cottage (down a path through the garden from Leel’s house) was of such a high standard, especially for this price bracket. Slept so well! Departure at 5:15am for a half day safari with Leel - as others have said, he has been in this business for 10 years and is an exceptional guide (we say this as guides ourselves). He doesn’t just take you to an elephant then moves on. He thinks about where to go, when, to avoid other jeeps - and then he stops and gives you as much time as you wish to actually absorb the whole experience. Our sunrise will live with us for the rest of our lives. As for Leel’s family, they are a very special bunch! As ever, if you want to get the most out of staying in a smaller, more personal accommodation (rather than a big or resort hotel), smile, chat and engage - and they are the warmest, most fun family! Big hugs on departure. A very special couple of nights.

I don't even know where to start. On our entire trip through Sri Lanka, this was by far the nicest accommodation and the nicest hosts. There is so much attention to detail in this place. It felt like we were visiting family or friends from far away because we were welcomed and received so warmly. Leel, his wife and his mother are such great, helpful people. The food, whether breakfast or dinner, was also the tastiest food on our entire trip. We also did our safari with Leel. He knows breathtaking places. We had breakfast in the middle of nature and saw lots of animals. Leel is a very good place to go if you want to experience an unforgettable safari and an unforgettable time.

Leel's place is without a doubt the best place I've stayed in in Sri Lanka and more than deserves its perfect score. The accommodation is nested in the middle of Leel's beautiful garden. The feeling of staying in the jungle carries all the way through the bathroom, which is full of gorgeous plants. You can clearly see the love and attention to details Leel has poured into creating his cottages. The room is incredibly clean and smells amazing, the aircon is very silent, the lighting is great, there are multiple power points with USB and international power points, the linen is new, the water is hot, there is a small fridge and plenty of storage. The outdoor seating area with its little swing is just the perfect place to relax. But more than anything else, what makes Leel's place truly special is his kindness and care. Leel is a wonderful safari guide with an incredible knowledge of the park and its animals, but also a beautiful man whom I've enjoyed chatting with in the evenings. Leel's family - his wife and his mom - has been incredibly caring and looked after me like a daughter. His mom is a fantastic cook and an impressive woman who made me feel like I was visiting family. So much so that I felt emotional leaving the place. If you find a free room and have the chance to stay, do not hesitate a minute. You'll love it too.

Leel and his family were very welcoming, friendly and helpful. They prepared an incredible dinner and packed us a sizeable takeaway breakfast at 5am so that we could eat on our safari tour. The staff were very attentive without being overbearing. When it rained over night, the staff had laid out extra stepping stones to ensure guests would not have to walk in the mud. Would recommend to friends and relatives when going to visit Udawalawe National Park.

Leel's place is the best place we have being in entire Sri Lanka. The place is well cleaned, beautiful, calm and romantic. Leel is a wonderful host, honest and decent, taking care of everything, making sure you will have the best stay. Leel's mother cook delicious food, served so well. The breakfast was made by Leel's wife and it was so good and tasty. Leel is the best Safari guide you will ever find in Udawalawe. He knows all the best spots in the park and provided us the best Safari experience we could ever ask for. I wish Leel all the best and I definitely recommend you to visit.

Everything was perfect

Our experience at Leel's cottages was truly exceptional. The hospitality and kindness of Leel and his family made us feel so welcome and his perfect English made communication with him effortless. They went above and beyond to ensure our stay was comfortable and a wonderful experience. The cottage is thoughtfully equipped with everything (and more) one could need: comfy beds, plenty of power outlets, mirrors, good lighting, ample storage space, a cute patio and air conditioning and mosquito nets. Every detail has been carefully considered, and everything is impeccably maintained. The cottages are not only extremely clean and comfortable but also offer great privacy. But what stood out the most was definitely the passion and dedication the entire family has poured into this place. Many details, such as the lamps, cushions of the furniture, have been handcrafted by Leel. The Curry and Rice we enjoyed twice was another highlight. The dinner prepared by his mother and wife was absolutely delicious. We also highly (!) recommend doing the safari with Leel. We did the full day safari and with over 10 years of experience, he shared his extensive knowledge with us and created a truly memorable adventure. Watching the sunrise over a lake was breathtaking and one of the most beautiful moments of our trip. This stay was more than we could have ever hoped for – an ABSOLUTE gem. Thank you for everything and take care! :)

Everything was perfect.

The hospitality, and privacy are unmatched in this touristy area, two small private bungalows, hidden in the jungle-garden. We had an incredible stay. Leel organised the safari, which was amazing. He knows the park well, doesn't stay in the beginning of the park but drives well in the park to find the best spots! Dinner (curry) was great, Leels wife is an amazing cook! Will definitely recommend and stay there again.

We had the most amazing time at Leel’s Safari cottage! The room was perfect—super clean, beautifully designed, with air conditioning and a hot water. You can really tell how much effort they put into making everything just right. It felt so cozy and welcoming. The garden outside was lovely—well-kept, peaceful, and such a nice place to relax. And the food… wow! The meals cooked by Leel’s mom and his wife were the best we’ve had in Sri Lanka. Everything was so fresh and delicious. Thank you both for making every meal so special! We also did the sunrise safari with Leel, and it was incredible🌅 He’s so professional and knows the park so good. He explained everything so calmly and made sure we didn’t miss anything. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thank you so much, Leel, for an unforgettable stay. We’ll always remember it, and we’re so happy we got to meet you. 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 If you’re thinking of coming here—don’t think twice. Highly recommended!❤️

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Leel is a very caring host with his family! We had a very pleasant time and enjoyed every single minute. From the moment of the arrival to the last breakfast. A hidden gem between a diverse range of plants and trees. Very calm and clean and the safari was something else. We are glad we went on an early safari with Leel as he has so much experience to escape from the rest of the tourists that enter the national park.

Leel and his family were so kind during our staying. The room had such a good smell and clean. The garden is a real paradise. I cannot imagine better stay in Udawalawe. They toke us for a 1.5 hour massage in the end of the day. And finally we had maybe the most delicious dinner in SriLanka. Thank you! :)

The beautiful rainforest garden and the stunning and comfortable room we stayed in. It was immaculate with a modern bathroom and very comfortable bed. There was a new aircon unit and outdoor swing couch too. Leel and his family went above and beyond to make us feel at home and the food was delicious and authentic. We stayed here for 2 nights and could have easily stayed much longer! The safari that Leel took us on was fantastic as well. It honestly was a 12/10 stay and we can't wait to recommend it to our friends back home in New Zealand. The best place in all of Sri Lanka!!!