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#1 of 12 hotels in Kataragama
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
An authentic Sri Lankan Safari Experience. It’s like a homestay in the jungle. Hosted by Marc, the team, who wants to share the experiences they fell in love with, while growing up with the bush in this tropical paradise of Sri Lanka. We are a small, unique safari camp consist of 3 AC tents based only at Yala National Park and bespoke Mobile Safaris in Kumana NP believing in Exclusivity. Our key strength is on authentic guided Sri Lankan Safari experience with adventure, knowledge, gastronomy and fun within your comfort zone with Sri Lankan People and their Hospitality. - Accommodation in A/C Glamping Tents with ensuite bathrooms - Adventure-ful Guided safaris by our Safari Team - Full board Mouthwatering Sri Lankan delicacy made with love - A unique, unforgettable experience in the Wilderness of Sri Lanka
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Sinhala
Location
Yala National Park Buffer Zone off of Katagamuwa Road, Kataragama 91400 Sri Lanka
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We spent unforgettable two and a half days at Camp Leopard, and we will be sure to return soon. Camp Leopard was located at the border of Yala National Park and got easy access to the wildness. We were warmly greeted by Marc and his team as we arrived at the camping grounds. They prepared delicious southern style Sri Lankan lunch for us which I thought one of the best Sri-Lankan meals I tasted during my visit in Sri Lanka. After lunch, we were briefed by Marc and our schedule for rest of the stay was discussed. After this short meeting, we were shown our tents. Although they seemed normal tents from the outside, they were nothing but extravagant from the inside. Tents were cleaned, fully air-conditioned and had attached bathrooms with hot water. A BBQ was setup for the dinner, and we enjoyed it our under the moon light with showering stars while listing to the symphony of the nature.
Marc and ranger Marlon were ready by 5:00 am with their incredible drivers Kajja and Thiwanka to take us on the ride. Everyone in this team was extremely knowledgeable, passionate and professional with what they do. On the way we learned a lot about native plants, wildflowers, animal tracking and habitats. We did two safaris during our stay at Camp Leopard. We saw many animals such as water buffaloes, peacocks, crocodiles, elephants (including Tuskers), pythons, hundreds of bird species, deer, wild boars, monkeys, lizards, and many more.
But the highlight of the both safaris were the leopards. We saw six leopards during our safaris. They were supper up-close and my friend Nirasha with her fancy camera was able to take some magnificent shots.
On our final day, the team at Camp Leopard took us to Sithulpawwa. This was an ancient Buddhist Monastery and had caves contain two thousand plus years old rock paintings. Sithulpawwa was a very different and unique experience which I find very spiritual.
If it’s a nature experience you crave, Camp Leopard is your true destination. The team at Camp Leopard made our entire trip fun and memorable.
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Date of stay: December 2019
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where to even start. WOW! This place is just incredible. Don't think we've ever had better service anywhere in our travels.
The entire staff at Camp Leopard is so friendly. They always greet you with a big smile, they can make every accommodation you need (we're vegetarian and they had no problem making delicious vegetarian meals for us). Speaking of food.... it's amazing! Everything is handmade from scratch in traditional Sri Lankan style. Something new and delicious every day. Also, every lunch and dinner comes with a little dessert, we loved that! Definitely ask to have some kurd and treacle!
The tents have AC and hot showers, a true glamping experience. The camp is pretty much right on the border with the national park, so don't be surprised to find some monkeys jumping around on top of your tent.
What really sets camp leopard apart is the safari experience. Camp Leopard uses a different entrance than most other tours. This means there are fewer jeeps for you to contend with and less traffic to spook the animals. On your game drives, you'll be accompanied by Marlon, their resident naturalist. Something worth noting is that most companies don't have a naturalist at all, just a driver. You're on your own for trying to spot wildlife. Marlon is a wealth of knowledge on all the wildlife in the park and is a pro at spotting them out. We saw all kinds of interesting wildlife including Elephants, crocodiles, wild boar, deer, jackals, tons of birds and even a glimpse of a leopard!
Another thing we loved is the efforts Camp Leopard was making to operate sustainably. They use hardly any plastic: they provide clean drinking water in the rooms and common area, each tent has its own jars of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, and they have the goal of being plastic-free by the end of this year. Also, all the structures are semi-permanent and very little concrete is used. At the end of your stay, each guest has the option to plant a tree on the property. They also do a lot of outreach in the community to help educate future generations of naturalists!
All said this was one of the best travel experiences we've ever had! If you're thinking about doing a safari in Yala, we can't recommend Camp Leopard enough!
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Date of stay: February 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
With all the covid madness in the recent days we still went ahead with the booking we made for the weekend of 17th and 18th October, probably the best decision! The camp is in on the border of the buffer zone and the perfect setting for the jungle feeling. We were Warmly welcomed by the team compeising of Marlon and prasad and of course the camp manager booboo the cutest and friendly alsation there is. Camp was for ourselves and we never felt out of place. Everything was the way it was advertised and after lunch went on an early game ride. Again due to the fact everyone was bonkers over covid the park was just for ourselves which is a very rare occurance. Marlon was a fantastic ranger, highly knowledgeable with plant and animal behaviour and anything to do with the surrounding areas. He never related in trying to spot a bird or an animal and the icing on the cake was at the last moment when he spotted the leopard. Just what we were looking for and a bonus was spotting another one within the next 5 Mts.
Highly recommended if you want to get away and avoid these crowded hotels where you are more likely to contact the virus. A great place to relax, be with nature, friendly and efficient staff and feel the real jungle vibe
I encourage all sri lankans who care about helping local tourists spots such as this and help them by visiting and sustaining the business in these difficult times
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed for 3 nights including New Year’s Eve. We had 3 half day game drives and 1 whole day drive. They were really great. Our guide was really knowing his stuff and I enjoyed the bumpy driving because the drivers really knew how to do it. Great job!! I really recommend the whole day drive, because you have time to drive to the best places and don’t spend time going in and out of the park. I specially enjoyed the relaxed and friendly atmosphere- they totally respected and actually supported our wish of tranquility and being by ourself. I loved the food, but make sure you bring hunger with you. AND: don’t even try to eat up. They did a very special evening for us on 31st of dec even we were the only guest We had fire works,cake and again a lot of good food. They even had wine for us. But keep in mind that it is hard to get Alkohol in this part of Sri Lanka. They do their best. It is a very warm, loving atmosphere - they seem to love what they are doing. And don’t be worried about bugs and stuff, I didn’t even have one Moskito bite. And of course you are in the middle of nature. You will be delighted to see all these creatures.
If it is not 10 hours flight and 3 hours drive away we would come again and again. Thank you so much !
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We very much enjoyed the safaris and would strongly recommend Camp Leopard because of how good Marlon, our guide, was. Very enthusiastic, knowledgeable, perfect English etc. Accommodation a little basic, but an effort has been made to make the camp as nice as possible and it was fine for a couple of nights. We also enjoyed the food (cooked by women from the local village) and all the staff at the camp (and our driver) were also great.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camp Leopard is one of the rare camps around Yala that offers a high-quality, ethical experience to visit Yala complex in a real Safari mode. As conservation professionals in Africa, we came with high expectations, and had the pleasure to discover Marc and his team. Marc has offered us a unique experience, not only thanks to his exceptional guiding skills, but also with his genuine kindness and good humour, and his capacity to understand his guests' needs and adapt quickly to it. if you are looking for a quick and cheap ride to drive on the Leopard, choose another camp, because this is not Marc's ethics; if you want to experience a really respectful Safari, sleep in a Camp with a high-standard sustainability approach, enjoy delicious food and be hosted and guided by a young yet already very experienced team, Camp Leopard is the one. We saw the leopard of course, but the heart of our experience was on tracking, birdwatching, exchanging, and discovering the diversity of ecosystems in beautiful Yala. Thank you Marc, Chatu, Ti Wanka and the rest of the team for the amazing stay!
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Date of stay: September 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camp Leopard is a charming and unique destination, offering a blend of comfort and wilderness that is hard to find. However, my feelings about our stay are mixed. While the camp’s facilities, service, and the safari experience itself were exceptional, our visit was marred by poor organization (by our tour operator - Aitken Spence), and a lack of proactive solutions to enhance the experience (by the staff of Camp Leopard).
We initially booked two nights, expecting to arrive on October 30th, have dinner, and enjoy an early night in preparation for the 6 a.m. safari the next day. The morning safari was spectacular, lasting four hours and offering incredible sightings, including a leopard—an unforgettable moment, especially for my husband on his first-ever safari. However, the remainder of our day on October 31st was left unstructured. When we asked about additional activities, the only suggestion was to “read a book.”
This response was particularly frustrating because there were missed opportunities for the staff to go the extra mile. They could have coordinated with neighboring camps or tour operators to secure an afternoon safari or suggested other nearby activities to make the most of our time. Disappointed with the lack of options, we decided to shorten our stay and move on to Galle.
Despite this setback, Camp Leopard has many strengths. The setting is serene, with a well-kept camp that blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings. The bonfire arranged on our first night was a thoughtful touch, allowing us to enjoy a delicious meal free from the company of mosquitoes and other bugs. The staff were friendly, the food was well-prepared and beautifully presented, and the safari arrangement was seamless.
I believe Camp Leopard can offer an extraordinary experience, especially for those planning their visit independently. With better integration of activities and a more proactive approach from the staff, this place could truly shine as a must-visit destination in Yala.
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Rooms
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The area was nice and quiet. The spare bed was extremely uncomfortable. The safari included was not at all worth the price as we were told it would be a half day and in total we drove 2 hours and then stopped for a sandwich and drove out of the park.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Well,with no hesitance, our two day stay at Camp Leopard Yala was one of the best ever hotel stays for us. It is obviously the best camping experience we ever had. The friendly staff made the stay more homely and pleasant. What they all wanted is to give what we need / request. Boo-boo (well-tamed dog who welcomes all the customers, especially my daughter) made a great memory there. Rangers and safari team were working their best to give us the best safari experience. I'd recommend anyone who needs a pleasant stay in wild (inside a well-equipped and designed wooden camp) at Yala, to go there to experience this piece of heaven..!
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Date of stay: January 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have just returned from a two week trip to Sri Lanka the highlight of which was our stay at Camp Leopard and our two day safari with Marc. We first visited before the pandemic and when we decided to go back to Sri Lanka we put Camp Leopard top of our list as our kids (10 & 6) had such good memories of our previous visit. Our visit this time surpassed our expectations, Marc and his crew made sure we were welcomed and nothing was too much trouble over our two days. The accomodation is spacious with aircon and all the amenities we needed, our food was amazing (even more so for eating under the stars by the camp fire) and the staff were fantastic with our kids; entertaining them and playing with them & the camps four dogs (Boo Boo is a BIG draw for our kids). Marc took us on an evening safari and then a full day the next day, as others have mentioned it is a real pleasure being shown around by someone who is both an expert and cares so deeply about what he does. Again nothing was too much for Marc and he kept a few surprises for us along the way which our kids adored. The concept of sustainability that Marc and his crew have built is great too, no single use plastic, recycle, minimise waste and leave nothing behind are an ethic that Camp Leopard lives. Thanks so much again Marc and all the crew at Camp Leopard we had a wonderful time!
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Date of stay: December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HI
Greetings from Camp Leopard & thank you for the inquiry.
Please call on 076 315 23 20 . for any inquiries .
Apologies for any inconveniences cased
Regards
Catherine
We also booked as a package and did four drives over two nights, three days. It meant we were able to pace things and get a different feel of the park. We did two drives focussed on seeing leopards and had five sightings. But doing that is less leisurely than taking in the rest of what Yala has to offer. The park entrance was extra but we had the jeep and Mark as guide to ourselves. We felt it was worth the extra cost of Camp Leopard to get the expert and personalised treatment, photo ops etc especially after seeing the many other minibus likecjeeps with 12 people literally rushing about the park.
Hi Peter, thank you very much for your inquiry.. it looks like we do have the availability and definitely can suggest the itinerary and the sectors of the park as you have mentioned avoiding the rush...
Can you please drop me an email to provide you special rate? Email address is available on our website.. Tripadvisor wouldn't allow me to post any email addresses here.
Los Angeles, California7 contributions2 helpful votes
I Becky, received your inquiry.. we were having a bit of a system issue with the reservations.. Catherine should get back to you tomorrow with necessary details..
Please feel free to contact me for any questions you may have.
Best Regards, Marc
There are more places to choose from in the Kataragama area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$196 - AU$262 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Camp Leopard Glamping
LOCATION
Sri LankaUva ProvinceKataragama
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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