Natural Mystic Sanctuary

Staying here was a fantastic experience, I loved being surrounded by nature with all its wonderful sounds. The food was absolutely fantastic and the hosts were 2 very lovely people who were always around to help arrange tours and transport. So good I didn’t want to leave.

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Ein ganz besonderer, magischer Ort! Karina und Cedric haben uns super herzlich empfangen und wir haben uns sofort wie zuhause gefühlt. Die beiden standen immer mit Rat und Tat zur Seite. Der Ort ist mit viel Liebe gestaltet und die Unterkunft sehr gemütlich. Die Lage mitten im Grünen lässt einen durchatmen und herunterfahren, wir wollten garnicht mehr gehen. Auch das Essen war unglaublich köstlich!

The team, the nature and the food.

Nothing !

This place was incredible!!!! Where to start? The property is unbelievably beautiful, in the middle of lush nature. The room overlooked the jungle valley, with a perfect view and was very cosy. Karina and Cedric were so kind and friendly and we felt very much at home there! The food was the best we had in Sri Lanka, the chef is a genius! We will be back!

That we only stayed 3 nights, we should have stayed longer!

Stayed here for three nights at the end of our holiday and absolutely loved it. We had the place to ourselves as we were out of season but the weather was great - windy so cooler and only rained one day. Glorious location, views, natural pool - so much wildlife and nature. Great to be able to drink the tap water too. The owners were lovely, arranged a rainforest/waterfall trek for us, provided lovely food and just all round great care and support. We stayed in a few places across Sri Lanka and this was our favourite by far.

Wasn’t a problem for us but a consideration for anyone with limited mobility, this is on a former tea plantation so is a an upward walk to the location, then also steps in the cliff up to the accommodation. It is worth every step for the views.

Die Lage ist einzigartig. Mitten im Regenwald, ab vom Schuss. Außer Natur ist nichts zu sehen und zu hören. Im Pool zu planschen während Affen in der Nähe in den Bäumen klettern ist absolut bewegend. Ma kann prima vor Ort zur Ruhe kommen und von dort aus hervorragend spannende Touren machen.

Alles prima

Beautiful cosy spot in the heart of nature with a lovely host. What more could you ask for! ❤️

A very friendly atmosphere in a stunning location. We were looked after well with excellent food and the views from our balcony were fantastic.

Wer sehr abgelegen Ruhe sucht ist hier genau richtig. Man wacht auf zu den Geräuschen des Dschungels. Es gab Warmwasserduschen und das Leitungswasser komme man hier trinken. Man sollte aber sehr gut zu Fuß sein, da der Weg zur Unterkunft sehr steil ist. Man braucht etwa 15 min nach oben und dann nochmal weitere 5 min zu den Bungalows. Die Unterkunft ist zweifellos besonders gelegen. Der Naturpool ist super schön. Die Besitzerin ist sehr nett und ja zwei sehr liebe Hunde.

Den Preis für die sehr einfache Unterkunft empfanden wir als ziemlich hoch, im Vergleich zu dem Standart den wir sonst für weniger Geld in Sri Lanka bekommen haben. Das Essen im Restaurant war sehr lecker, aber auch hier sind Preise schon ziemlich hoch. Auch die vermittelte Regenwaldtour war etwas teuer. Uns wurde ein Rabatt versprochen, weil wir selbst ca. 45 min zum Startpunkt gefahren sind (anstatt vom Guide abgeholt zu werden) und noch 2 weitere Gäste mitgekommen sind. Am Ende haben wir dann aber immernoch 28 statt 30 Dollar bezahlt.

Het verblijf bevindt zich in een prachtige omgeving en het personeel is ontzettend vriendelijk. Ik was jarig toen wij hier verbleven en toen hebben ze een cake voor me gebakken! Hele fijne tijd gehad hier, ik zou zo weer terug willen.

What a stunningly beautiful place to stay. I could lie on the hammock and just watch the nature unfold before me. Very special. The food was also delicious, and Karina was very helpful with organising my trip. Thankyou

Absolute Idylle. Fantastisches Essen. Herzliche & fürsorgliche Gastfreundschaft. Großartiger Natural Pool mit extrem sauberem & weichem Wasser. Die ganze Anlage ist wunderschön & gepflegt. Wahrlich mystisch & absolut empfehlenswert. Vielen Dank. Wir kommen definitiv wieder ❤️

Nichts.

Great setting on the edge of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. Great views and birds

You need to be quite fit to walk the 25 minutes in the heat uphill from the road

Traumhafte Lage im Dschungel, abseits von allem anderen Tourismus. Ein weitläufiges Grundstück mit vielen Treppen, tropischen Pflanzen, Tieren und Bergbach mit Schwimmpool, - wie im Dschungelbuch! Tolle Unterkünfte mit Blick über das Tal und herrvorragende Küche von Einheimischen frisch zubereitet. Die Gastgeberin Karina ist wahnsinnig herzlich und erfüllt alle Wünsche & organisiert Touren in den Regenwald, etc… Wirklich Perfekt zum Runterkommen vom westlichen Alltagsstress!!!

Uitzonderlijk mooie locatie, heerlijk eten, aardige mensen.

A hidden gem for nature lovers! The multi-level structure and quiet surroundings make it perfect for bird photography, while the lush greenery hosts plenty of amphibians and reptiles. You can even do simple night explorations right outside your room. The owner is super friendly, and the breakfast—especially the mixed porridge—is a must-try!

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Staff and facilities

All good.

Das Curry war sehr lecker, das Zimmer ist schön eingerichtet und sauber :-)

Stunning property , emersed nature. We loved everything about it. Beautiful buildings and lovely creek flowing past. Sadly the pool wasn’t full as they had had some big rain. The owners were very apologetic though. We will visit again so we get to swim in the pool.

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Wonderful location in the midst of the rainforest. Food was fresh and tasty. The lovely host Karina is very accommodating and can organise anything for you from transportation to tours. The river freshwater pool is very refreshing after a hike or trek in the forest.

Super mooie, unieke plek en heel lief en behulpzaam personeel! Echt even uit de drukte en hectiek en alleen de geluiden van te natuur horen. Karina en haar team ontvangen je met open armen en maken heerlijke maaltijden voor je klaar.

De locatie was heerlijk

Tja het lopen vanaf de openbare weg als je minder goed ter been bent. Het blijft dan wel een uitdaging.

Lekker in de natuur. Fijne plek om te zijn.

Wat een magische plek! Hier moet je naartoe voor de rust en prachtige geluiden uit de natuur. Het eten is verrukkelijk en Katrina en haar staf zijn super en heel lief.

Alles was goed!

Slapen in Natural Mystic Sanctuary is echt niet in woorden uit te drukken. De plek is zo ontzettend mooi, middenin de natuur. De kamers zijn superleuk en smaakvol ingericht. Er is veel ruimte, het is gezellig en het uitzicht vanaf het balkon is echt fenomenaal. Wakker worden met alle geluiden uit de natuur is zo ontzettend fijn. Karina, maar ook alle andere mensen zijn heel aardig en behulpzaam. Ook het eten is erg lekker en wordt mooi en met smaak opgediend. We hebben Karina ook een hike laten regelen in Sinharaja forest en dat was ontzettend goed geregeld net als de taxirit naar Udawalawe wat een safari op zichzelf bleek. We hebben genoten! Als kers op de taart heeft Karina ook nog geholpen om vergeten spullen weer bij ons te krijgen voordat we naar NL vlogen. Ontzettend bedankt voor alles en ik hoop dat we nog een keer de kans krijgen om bij jullie te slapen.

Our family loved our stay at Natural Mystic Sanctuary. It’s run by people who are clearly passionate about their special part of the world and the nature surrounding them. The rooms are really lovely to spend time in, with big verandas overlooking the treetops, a real delight in the mornings and evenings. We all loved the pool, which was super refreshing and overlooking the incredible 600 year old tree. Karine and Cedric made everything very easy for us including arranging taxis there and onwards, and a rainforest tour, as well as catering to our kids’ food preferences.

It’s pretty steep up and down which was fine for us but might be tricky if you have any mobility issues.

Amazing location (although when you step out of your taxi you may feel some doubts first as you stop ‘in the middle of nowhere’), unbelievable views, the jungle, very friendly staff and owner Karina, excellent fresh and healthy food, Beautiful swimming pool, large and charming room.

Its quite a few steps to your room, which may not be for everybody, especially when raining, but the reward is worth it!

Very friendly and helpful owners. They do everything to make your stsy comfortable. Great quiet location in the middle of nowhere was very relaxing.

You pay for what you get. Dont expect luxury but good and decent accommodation. We were there in the middle of some upgrading of the kitchen which limited choices in room and food but the owners solved this in a very good manor

I had a truly special experience at Natural Mystic Sanctuary. The views over the rainforest valley are absolutely breathtaking – waking up to the mist rising above the treetops and the sounds of nature all around was incredibly peaceful. The entire place has a calm, grounding energy that makes it perfect for anyone looking to disconnect and recharge and connect within you You feel surrounded by nature in the most beautiful way, I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking tranquillity and stunning natural beauty in Deniyaya

We really enjoyed staying at the Sanctuary. It's perfect for a peaceful and relaxed escape with great views over the rainforest hills. There is a small river with pools surrounding the property and a huge natural swimming pool as well. After hiking the forest, we really enjoyed the refreshing pool. The food was very tasty with good portions. On top, the lovely staff is very helpful with arranging transportation and made us feel at home. We highly recommend this place!

Remote and peaceful, beautiful rainforest surroundings and views over the canopy. Mornings were a dream. The food was incredible - plenty of it and so tasty. Really friendly host and did everything they could to make my stay as easy as possible - very accommodating and helpful.

It just got rather hot at night even with the fan.

- Beautiful jungle setting rich in wildlife, you are surrounded by historic tall trees, I found the area more beautiful than Sinharaja forest - Spacious room and balcony - New swimming pool - Delicious breakfast and dinners - Karina organised a daytrip in the forest reserve with a knowledgable local guide, I used the new entrance and it was a nice experience, we saw interesting birds but not much else, maybe research carefully as I know other guests used a different entrance and saw lots of wildlife

N/A. There’s lots of steps for reach the bedrooms, but you are rewarded by peaceful views and sounds of nature. I would’ve loved to have a kettle in the bedroom to have cups of tea, but otherwise everything was perfect.

A real paradise for nature lovers! Amazing location. Fantastic rooms. Karin and her staff are really kind and welcoming. Delicious food!!! The best place we have been in our three weeks travel in Sri Lanka!

Magnificent scenery. Peacefulness.

The steep hill is hard.

The most gorgeous location in the rainforest.

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The view is just beyond imagination. Confortable sleeps, the birds are everywhere, monkeys too. The food is the food I had in 2 weeks holidays around Sri Lanka. Thank you.

Nothing!

The location and the whole estate are a sanctuary of calmness. The rooms have a view of the rainforest. There is a space next to an 800-year-old tree for meditation or yoga. The estate contains native trees, animals, and eatable plants to explore. Stuff is always welcome to explain.

The noise of monkeys and squirrels jumping on the roof during the night :D. But at the same time, it's part of the charm of this place.

Eco focus, the nature, and the hiking

Nothing

Fantastic place - this was a highlight of our trip. What made it magic was: 1. being immersed in the middle of the nature. From the room you see a view overlooking the forest, the tea fields, the small stream. There's an outdoor terrace with a hammock where you can sit down and enjoy the nature 2. how kind and helpful our host was. Karina runs this place with passion and is very knowledgeable about Sri Lanka/the Sinharaja area. Not only she arranged us a hike (with a guide, a TukTuk, etc) in the Sinharaja rain forest, but she was also keen to answer our questions. Other than that, the food is really good (many of the fruits/vegetables from the garden), everyone is very nice (the people who work there and the other guests), the rooms are comfortable. The pool was just about to open. The place is a 5-10 minutes walk from the road, but you can request someone to help you carry your bags.

Nothing.

Stunning location. Lots of animals around. Calm, quiet, and the views are just breathtaking. The food was great and the choice varied. If you’re craving a retreat vibe/ want to feel truly alone/ feel very close to nature, this is the place to go. The owner is lovely and always eager to chat. I really want to be back for a longer period next time!

There’s not much I didn’t like; however the only thing I can think about is the food being slightly expensive and the breakfast is not included in the price (the place is priced above average in the area, where breakfast is usually included).

People with passion for service. Location is amazing, better then the pictures suggest. Food is amazing. Accommodation is amazing.

The location is phenomenal. The accommodation has incredible views of the rain forest, and you get to experience nature and wildlife on your doorstep. The cottage is spacious and beautifully designed. The pool is large uses the pristine river water. The yoga Shala beside the banyan tree is stunning. Karina, Cedric and all the team are truly lovely humans who bring a lot of love and care to the place. This is such a wonderful escape from the world. A place to simplify and reset and remember the true sense of connection.

Must visit if you go to Sri Lanka as a couple. The atmosphere from the patio alone was worth the (very affordable) cost. Monkeys and many different birds make an appearance every day. The owner and staff were super helpful. Thank you! <3

Secluded, wonderful nature, quiet.

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Wonderful host! So caring and nice. The host texted me before our arrival and sent one of the staff mambers to meet us and help us to reach our cozy house. The property was so clean and with an outstanding view. We did some lunch and dinner there and the food was perfect (coffee as well)! You can ask some fruit plates and juice - it was so fresh. We spent our weekend just enjoying the view and the environment but there were nice routes to hike and explore the nature.

Location , very sweet host Carina

This was the most memorable place in our 3 week Sri Lanka trip. It is a very unique place (crossing through a stream to get there, and steep steps about the place), and as such it wouldn't suit everyone, but it doesn't try to. But you will find peace, and the sense of immersion in a jungle and welcome isolation. The construction of the rooms is amazing and inventive, everything is simple but done with incredible taste, and although things are basic, everything works and was spotlessly clean (which is no mean feat in such a cut-off place). Karina the owner was an inspiring person to talk to; what she has achieved here is amazing.

Nothing!

The breakfast was very tasty and I could choose from different options. They have a very good Cappuccino and Chai latte as well.

I only booked for one night

Location is in the middle of nothing. The view from the balcony of the bungalow is great. It really feels like being in the jungle. You can see the many different trees as its build in a hilly area. Nice people. Be prepared to cross is small river stone stepping by foot and hike up 10min or so. They are building a wonderfull pool. Which should be ready later this year.

The bungalow iself was again up the hill. It adds to your sweat even if only 5 min or so. There are no fans or airco so it can be hot and humid. No lights outside so bring lights. Wifi didnt work. The bunkbed is too short for tall people (1,90) and the 5th bed had no klamboo. I think there is still some improvements to be done to make it a 4* place but the potential is there. Note. It’s over 30 min drive from the entrance of sinharaja park. You can’t simply walk from the lodge.

If you want to really experience sleeping in the jungle, this is the place to be! The sounds were magical and having monkeys passing by during breakfast is just extraordinary. The hosts are lovely and helpful people. Their dogs are fun as well, they pick you up from the entrance and walk with you all the way up to your stay. The food is excellent. When we visit Sri Lanka again we will definitely come back.

As it is a very quiet place and the rooms are not too far from each other, we did struggle with neighbors making noise and keeping us from sleep. People visit of course for different reasons, we really wanted to enjoy the quiet. However, after talking to them this was resolved.

Immerse in pristine environment

A bit of a walk to get there, but a porter can be arranged to carry your luggage

So peaceful and beautiful location, the puppies, the staff and the food :)

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When I had to cross the shallow river to reach the Sanctuary, I knew that this stay will be very special... I've never slept better in my life... Wrapped in the sounds of the jungle, the river and the rain. Watching the birds flying and monkeys jumping. Bathing in the river. Drinking spring water. Feeling the deep cleanse, detox, and relaxation, and the effects of an authentic ayurvedic treatment on my nervous system. Nourishing foods made with love. Walking barefoot through the developing gardens... With houses blending into the landscape, created from natural materials... This place is a sanctuary through and through and no photo could do it justice! It was so calming for my body, mind, and soul! Here, in the comfy climate of the tropical mountains of Sri Lanka, I once more accepted how much I crave to live in a natural environment. When I left, I felt how much it was a pity that I stayed only for 2 nights. And I feel the need to come back in the future for a much longer stay. If anyone who reads this seeks to retreat from all the noise out there: This is the place. Thank you Karina and Cedric for having made this experience possible.

Well, there was one thing that made me worry a bit. Still, I can't say that it was something I didn't like... I work remotely and couldn't attend two scheduled meetings due to several powercuts from heavy rain. But instead of being annoyed and stressed, I welcomed the circumstances and used the whole weekend to fully unplug from all screens and devices. Which was a bliss!!! I learned once more how good it feels to just adapt to nature rather than trying to impose my schedule on it and being disappointed once things don't work out as planned. It's a message for life in the end, right? ;-) For a future stay, I intend to be more flexible on my schedule and will ask my clients for their understanding whenever I can't attend the meetings due to the rains. Still, for those relying on a stable connection 24/7, the rainforest may generally become a sort of challenge.

After a walk through the stream and uphill we were greeted by our lovely host Karina. The rooms are basic, but clean & comfortable and in a magical location. The food was delicious. Karina organised a trek for us in the Sinharaja rainforest which was wonderful. The Wi-Fi was good enough given the location.

Although perfectly clean and comfortable, the rooms felt a bit dated , dark and dingy.

15 minutes hiking from the river road leads to green paradise.

The staff is wonderful and the food is great.

Beautiful room with a breathtaking view! The owners and staff are so kind. The tour of Sinharaja park that she arranged for us was great as well. Food is mostly homemade vegetarian curries, but they have a small menu and will make you other food if you ask. Such a peaceful place to recharge and just spend time in a beautiful, serene location.

The trek up from the road is about 15 minutes uphill, we enjoyed the exercise but if you struggle with mobility it may not be for you.

It's a wonderful, peaceful place surrounded by nature and its sounds! Comfi room, lovely staff and all round just a perfect little oasis. The food is also amazing although I found the local breakfast to be a bit expensive compared to other places and even to other items on the menu.

Wonderfull location, we only stayed 1 night, but really enjoyed sitting on the balcony overlooking the jungle. Waterfall nearby .. Delicious breakfast !

This accommodation in the rain forest is beautiful! It's the perfect place to have a peaceful stay in the middle of the jungle. Karina, the host, takes great care of the place. There is a river in which you can swim, a Yoga place in the forest and the hotel team makes great food. We really enjoyed our time there and would definitely come back :)

Natural Mystic Sanctuary is so tranquil, situated up a steep hill in the forest. No WiFi but good phone reception. The night is filled with jungle sounds, birds, insects and frogs. The fireflies are magic. There is a place where you can bathe in the river. Staff are so friendly, professional and helpful. The food is varied and fresh and delicious. Will definitely return. Highly recommended 👌

Having to leave

Lovely staff and amazing cooking! Very helpful in organizing tours and trips to other locations. Beautiful nature surrounding the property. We had an amazing time off the grid.

We had a lovely stay at the Natural Mystic Sanctuary! First of all: the view on the rainforest is magical <3. The climb up the hill is a bit of a climb, but worth the view for sure. In addition, the accomodation is awesome: you can see that the rooms are build with great care and eye for detail. But the best part? Our hosts, who took care of us so well with homemade food and arranging our every need. Definitely recommend!

Our stay at the natural mystic sanctuary was amazing. The location is remote, and you have to walk over a river to get to the place but that was all part of what made our stay so unique. The view from the private terrace was amazing and it was so peaceful, you can see monkeys and lots of birds. The hosts were amazing and helped us with everything including arranging a jungle hike and helping us with our onward travel plans. The Sri Lankan food was also so tasty!! Thanks so much!

The location is incredible. It’s an experience just getting to it, as you need to cross a river and walk up the hill. Very beautiful and peaceful

It’s not luxurious, but we didn’t expect it to be. The leeches are annoying but seem to be everywhere in the Sri Lankan jungle so hard to avoid.

The owners ale very friendly and open minding. We met all familij. We spend The Best two days on Sri Lanka' they share with us knowladge about the world and nature. This is the best Place if u want taste flavors of Sri Lanka and take a breathe in the middle of nowhere. This is the 5 Stars place under the stars

Great accommodation in a stunning location with a very kind family offering delicious food and drinks. The room was clean and spacious with basic but modernised eco-friendly facilities. A very peaceful setting with endless wildlife to admire whilst relaxing on the porch. Local pools and waterfalls located just a short walk from the room. The walk from the road to the accommodation is an adventure in itself, led by staff who helped with our bags. We loved every minute of our eco adventure at the sanctuary - 100% recommend!

Nothing, the accommodation exceeded our expectations.

The setting is extraordinary. It’s a 10min walk up the hill but it is worth it. The views are fantastic. The bungalow was wonderful with lots of interesting details. The service and hospitality were amazing. The food was great (the portions are huge!). Thank you for the interesting conversations and hopefully we (or at least one of our children) will meet again!

Wonderful welcome and hospitality, they helped us with backpacks up through the path to the NMS.. It is an exeptional position in the middle of the forest! We could easly walk to a nearby waterfall together with our lovely host. Meal were good and abundant, satisfaying all our requirements for a no spicy/vegetarian/no onion food! Our host has been incredibly efficient in organizing the hike in sinharaja forest with an entusiasth guide and in booking a driver both to get there and to go away to Galle. We would definitely reccomend it!

a beautifully located facility away from built-up areas surrounded by a jungle and a view of the valley, if you are looking for a break away from civilization, this is the place for you

Internet, please keep in mind, that is very deep jungle away from city, so you need take something to improve your signal if you have to work'n'travel / host doesn't speak English

We found this place by accident and it was one of the best travel experiences we ever had. This is not only an accommodation, it’s a magical place. Be prepared for Pachamama, Mother Nature at its best and Sanjey, host would be an understatement, he is the king of the jungle. This man made our stay an unforgettable experience. Natural Mystic is without question an amazing spot but through Sanjey the place becomes what it is! Accompanied by a lovely family who make the best authentic healthy food you find in Sri Lanka and let us feel not like guest but friends <3 This is Hotel California, you can never leave, a piece of your heart will stay there forever. Expect the Unexptected. Tiziana and Katha say thank you!!

Unbelievable beauty. Wonderful bungalow. Gorgeous forest surroundings. Having a massage was very nice.

The walk up the hill was much much. More than expected. It was the end of a very long day for me... And the extra long and steep walk wasn't expected. Communication around payment for a hike I booked was very problematic, which led to irritation on all sides. Next time I would organize separate activities. By myself.

Location was perfect, in the middle of the jungle. The view was stunning. We went there with our 2 kids of 6 and 10 and the help, information and evening talks we had we will never forget. It did help that we had an English speaking host, because not all the staf was speaking English. We did a very nice walk to the waterfall with the host and another staff member. How great that was. Sinharaja was one of the top highlights of our trip of 3 weeks through Sri Lanka. Natural Mystic Sanctury did nog have guests for a couple of years due to the situations, but please visit them, it is well worth it!

Because it was in the middle of the jungle and because it was not ‘guested’ for a couple of years the Hygiene was a bit behind (it was not dirty). But they were working on it to get the hygiene level back. The place is very suitable for active people, also families (our kids at pretty dit), but also for meditation, etc. It is not very luxury but that is not the reason why you want to go (luxury). The room is very big and the most beautiful view.