The Kingdom Ecolodge is becoming pretty famous among travelers in Sri Lanka. In 3 days you will search for wild elephants, go early morning kayaking on the lake and follow a cooking course with the fantastic cook. Read below all the information about The Kingdom Ecolodge, where to book it and what to expect.
Content of this blog:
What is the Kingdom Ecolodge?
The Kingdom Ecolodge is an initiative of Sri Lankan farmer Dim, who worked hard for years to set up a self-sustaining ecolodge where he could welcome guests and teach the principles of nature. He has succeeded with The Kingdom Ecolodge.
It is wildly popular and is often completely booked up a month in advance these days! Therefore, be sure to plan your Sri Lanka itinerary a bit in advance so that you can reserve dates at The Kingdom Ecolodge in time.
How many nights can you book at the Kingdom Ecolodge?
There is one standard program, where you stay at The Kingdom Ecolodge for 3 days / 2 nights. We have to say: this is also just right. Beforehand we had the idea that we would like to stay even longer, but the program is just right and this way you were able to see all the beauty of nature and the surroundings of Kingdom Ecolodge.
Day program: 1st day at The Kingdom Ecolodge
Around 1 p.m. you will be expected at the Buddhist temple Sri Bodhirajaramaya in Thelulla. Here you will meet the group and the staff of The Kingdom Ecolodge. These are all very nice young men who immediately make you enthusiastic. You are looking forward to it!
Are you traveling with your own tuktuk? Then you can also leave it here. The staff of the ecolodge will show you where you can park your tuktuk. After this you get into the jeeps and rock and bump your way through nature to the ecolodge!
You will arrive around 2 p.m. and lunch will be waiting for you immediately. Ideal! After lunch you will be taken to your sleeping place. Depending on your booking and group size, this is either a treehouse or a simple room in the original house that Dim built. You can relax here before going on safari in the afternoon.
If you have booked with The Kingdom Ecolodge, Dim will give you a detailed description of how to get to the ecolodge from Ella, Arugam Bay, Yala National Park or Hiriketiya.
What kind of activities can I expect at The Kingdom Ecolodge?
Of course, it’s no fun if we already describe everything in detail here. You can assume that you have a 99.99% chance of spotting wild elephants (multiple times), both on safari and at the ecolodge. Furthermore, the staff will introduce you to the natural way of life and you will discover the beauty of the Sri Lankan countryside. The program at The Kingdom Ecolodge is set for 3 days / 2 nights, so everyone follows the same activities.
Where can you book it?
The easiest way to book The Kingdom Ecolodge is via WhatsApp: +94 77948 0480. Because there is little cellular data coverage at the ecolodge, it may take a while for Dim to respond, but actually you will always have a response within 48 hours.
Is The Kingdom Ecolodge authentic?
Beforehand, we had our reservations about this because nowadays we hear everyone talking about the Ecolodge. Often these activities then lose their authentic value: the more people come, the more touristy it becomes. Unfortunately, after our visit we can conclude that The Kingdom Ecolodge is no longer as authentic as it was a few years ago.
During our visit, we had a group of 20(!) people, which was really way too many. With 5 jeeps we went looking for elephants, where you (including staff) then stomp through the jungle with 25 people. Then the restful feeling quickly goes away. They also proudly showed off the luxury room, which had air conditioning, a bathtub with see-through window and much more luxury stuffed into it.
Personally, we find this mass tourism unfortunate, as it makes for a less authentic and relaxing experience, but it is in itself logical to consider that when things are going well, they want to expand. Still, it is useful to set your expectations for this in advance.
Who is The Kingdom Ecolodge suitable for?
Basically for anyone who wants to experience the Sri Lankan countryside and learn more about nature. For older people (70+) it might be a little less suitable because you go on safari in a jeep, which is not that comfortable. Also, it can of course get quite hot and humid at the ecolodge (as in all of Sri Lanka), but this is different for everyone. For children we think it is suitable from approximately 8 years old, but of course this depends on each person and you can always check with Dim.
Little to no coverage at The Kingdom Ecolodge, back to basics
There is little to no cell phone coverage at the ecolodge, which of course is great. Put your phone away for 3 days and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Therefore, also make sure to let family / friends know that you will be almost unreachable for 2 to 3 days, so they don’t worry.
Elephant spotting at The Kingdom Ecolodge
The highlight of the ecolodge is spotting wild elephants. As mentioned earlier, you go on safari to look for the wild elephants, but you may just happen to see an elephant walking past the ecolodge. This is a magical feeling and is definitely the highlight of The Kingdom Ecolodge.
The elephants you encounter around The Kingdom Ecolodge live 100% in the wild and are not fed. This is the most natural way to spot elephants. No safaris from other providers are organized in this area, so only you and your fellow travelers from The Kingdom Ecolodge will have the elephants all to yourselves.
How much do you pay?
The price depends on the room that is available / that you book. As mentioned above, you will always stay 3 days / 2 nights at The Kingdom Ecolodge, as that is what the standard program is set to. For 2 people, we paid LKR 84,000 (€280) in 2024. This amount includes all activities, all meals, transportation and accommodation. For a small fee you can buy chilled soft drinks, beer or wine on site.
Dim immediately sends you all the information on WhatsApp, frequently asked questions and prices, so he is very transparent about this. Make sure you bring enough cash, because you can only pay in cash! Do you eat vegetarian? Then you can let this know in advance if this reassures you, but not necessary. There are always a lot of vegetarian meals and before each meal they ask who wants to eat what, so you’ll be fine.
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