Banyan Camp

Hidden in Sri Lanka's unspoilt south-eastern corner, Banyan Camp is the creation of Souhaine and Vijayanthi, who bought 15 acres of wilderness on the banks of picturesque Lake Hambegamuwa over a decade ago. Fascinating and welcoming hosts, they have created a wonderfully unusual hideaway, and are a huge part of what makes this an endlessly magical place for guests who return again and again.

Dreamt up as a rejuvenating escape from the chaos of the world, Banyan Camp has grown to feature a series of individually designed lodges, each crafted from reclaimed and natural materials. The Wine and Champagne Lodges, for instance, feature a kaleidoscope of recycled bottles set within traditional mortar walls under roofs of thatch and timber, whilst the Mercedes Lodge emerges from the open side of a repurposed truck. Screened from one another by verdant vegetation — including beautiful banyan trees — each intimate lodge feels like a secret retreat for couples, friends or families. Monkeys and birds chatter in the trees, and lodges have big wooden chests for concealing your bags from curious primates. Bathrooms have running — unheated — water; there's electricity and WiFi, but this is really a place to slow down and reconnect with the natural world. Pick a space with two bedrooms if you're travelling as two couples or with family, and perch on your private terrace as the light fades from the lake beyond.

Activity highlights include trips around the lake with friendly fishermen, who navigate their narrow canoes with ease. Spot fluttering birds, wallowing buffalo and perhaps the occasional elephant, pausing to soak up the sunset or to gaze up at towering banyan trees. The river excursion, which includes a walk, waterfall swim and picnic comes highly recommended, as do safaris and bird-spotting adventures.

Return to the communal lodge to feast on Sri Lankan cuisine, featuring locally grown vegetables and fish cooked with fragrant spices and fresh coconut milk. Generous breakfasts, too, are brilliant, as are the team's friendly offers of tea and coffee. Curl up to play board games by the fire in the evening, or float on calm lake waters with your eyes on the stars.

 

Written by Saskia Walker

• Child friendly
• Little ones will need to be watched closely as this is an open, lake-sided camp, but outdoorsy kids will love it
• Family Suites
• The Wine Lodge and Champagne Lodge each have two bedrooms with a shared bathroom
• Parking
• Communal Dining
• Fireplace
• Rooms with balcony/terrace
• Outdoor dining
• Cots available
• Bicycle hire

• Games room
• Sit-out Terrace
• Laundry
• Restaurant
• Garden
• Sitting Room
• Suites
• Wifi
• Views

• Hotel boats for hire
• Speak to the team about a lake tour with local fishermen, spotting birds & buffalo, and marvelling at enormous banyan trees
• Safari
• Early morning or evening safaris at Udawalawe National Park are brilliant for admiring wild elephants
• Great walks
• Hop in the camp's jeep to a quiet part of the rivers for scenic walks, swims and a lunchtine picnic
• Yoga
• The open-sided shala is the perfect place for lakeside yoga in the morning, perhaps watched by monkeys or buffalo
• Watersports
• Take to the water on the camp's stand-up paddle boards in the morning or early evening
• Learning
• Trekking

• Other Activities
• Fishing
• Cycling
• Rafting
• Wildlife Area
• Birdwatching
• Mountain biking