Rainforest Eco Lodge
Sinharaja

Tucked into the mist-draped hills on the southern fringe of Sri Lanka’s last surviving primary rainforest, the Rainforest Eco Lodge is an ode to quiet beauty and sustainable living. Perched on the edge of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, this serene hideaway offers an experience that is as enriching as it is rare. Once a working tea estate, the landscape has been thoughtfully transformed into a place where nature is free to flourish again - reclaimed, rewilded and reimagined as a sanctuary for biodiversity and for travellers in search of immersive, nature-led experiences

Just over three hours’ drive from Galle, this remote yet reachable lodge makes for a seamless addition to a Sri Lanka tour, especially for birdwatchers and conservationists. With its rich diversity of flora and fauna, including more than half of Sri Lanka’s endemic birds, the Sinharaja rainforest is a treasure trove of tropical life, and the Rainforest Eco Lodge is one of the few places you can sleep just metres from its canopy.

There are just 16 chalets, designed with simplicity, soul and sustainability at their core. Each structure, clad in bamboo wicker, floored with recycled railway sleepers and perched lightly on stilts, resembles a bird hide nestled in the trees. But don’t be fooled by the rustic exteriors, inside you’ll find modern comforts, thoughtful design and sweeping forest views. Every chalet features a private deck, an en-suite bathroom and a sitting area that opens directly onto the surrounding greenery. It’s a place where you can fall asleep to the hum of cicadas and wake to the call of the Sri Lanka blue magpie, with mist curling up through the valley below.

The communal spaces echo the lodge’s eco-conscious ethos. There’s a cosy reading lounge, a small bar and an open-sided restaurant where the rainforest soundtrack accompanies every meal. Cuisine here is both simple and deeply rooted in place, ingredients are sourced from nearby villages, while seafood and meats arrive fresh from the markets of Galle. The result is a menu of traditional Sri Lankan dishes, full of spice, colour and heart.

Days here unfold at nature’s pace. Expertly guided rainforest walks, butterfly trails and early morning birdwatching excursions offer a chance to encounter the region’s astonishing biodiversity. You can trek through tea plantations and jungle paths, swim in secret forest pools, visit remote mountain temples or venture to the thundering Hathmale Waterfall. Local village visits offer insight into rural Sri Lankan life, while a wander through the lodge’s own tea estate connects you back to the land’s history.

For those looking to go beyond the ordinary, the Rainforest Eco Lodge is more than a place to stay, it is an invitation to truly immerse yourself in nature. With its deep commitment to sustainability, sense of place and raw natural beauty, it stands as one of the most unique and unforgettable eco-luxury lodges in Sri Lanka.

The traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.
G. K. Chesterton