Reviews of Animal View Point Yala

We would rate our stay 11/10 if we could. An authentic experience in a peaceful setting with the kindest host. Shashika really went the extra mile to make sure we have the best stay - from arranging transfers and safaris to preparing special dishes for breakfast/dinner. And on that note, definitely have dinner there in the evenings! Animal View Point Yala is more than just accommodation, it’s truly an experience :)

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, this is the place to book! We stayed in the treehouse (unfortunately only one night) and it was unforgettable. Although small, it has everything you need: a nice shower, a comfortable bed with mosquito net, and a little terrace with stunning views. This place is heaven for nature lovers — frogs, lizards, and chipmunks wander around, which made the stay feel even more magical to us (though maybe not ideal for those who don’t enjoy wild nature). What truly makes this place special are the hosts. They are among the kindest, hardest-working people I’ve ever met. I arrived with an injured leg, and they kept checking in on me and making sure I was okay. They also prepared a delicious dinner with local dishes and shared stories about their life and the area, which was fascinating. You can see how much love and effort they’ve put into their place. Breakfast is available (even for early safari departures), and the host will happily help you arrange a tuktuk or taxi for your next journey. We would absolutely come back — both for the unique treehouse and the amazing hospitality!

Our stay was a truly incredible experience. The location was in the heart of the natural environment at Yala, a stunning venue. Shashika and his family devoted their time to make our stay the best it could be, a perfect host. I have to mention the food, it was exceptional. I booked this based on the excellent reviews, and I was not disappointed in any way! Thank you so much to everyone, you are wonderful people🙏🏾

It was perfect.

The host was so friendly and helpful (he organized a safari for us, he informed us about the flat tyre of our car, ...). He went for a walk with us and showed us the surroundings, we learned more about Sri lankan wild life (footprints, showed us animals and plants, ...). The food was so tasty. The place is more beautiful than it seems in the pictures. Everything was so lovely decorated. The host is so passionate about this place, you can feel it.

Nothing, except you are afraid of animals (lizzards, ants, frogs, ...) Mind that you are in the middle of the wild life next to the border of Yala national park.

We had a pleasant stay at the tree house. It is quite new and even if there are frogs coming up the toilet (expected in the forest area) it is very clean. Shashika is a very passionate owner who cares about his guests needs. When we had an issue he was very quick to respond and help. He also booked us a private safari tour at a good price. The food (home made from his mom!) was one of the best we had in Srilanka. We also enjoyed the delightful conversations with him.

Unfortunately sometimes there was no water because the pump would stop working, but Shashika tried to fix it immediately when we texted/called him.

It’s a true gem in the middle of the jungle. If you like nature and raw environment, this is for you. Plus, the owner and his family are really good people and they will help you with planning and day-to-day things. You can have a walk around the damp water and enjoy the view on animals and nature. I hope to go back one day and I can only recommend this over again!

Everything was beyond expectations and perfect. There was some accumulated water on the floor in the bathroom as the shower is place beside the toilet so wear flip flop and it wont be bothering.

The owner, Shashika, was so friendly, hospitable and generous with his time and knowledge of the area. The home cooked meals were exceptional, and though you don’t choose what dishes you get, we got serve a huge variety (our favourite being the fish!). This is also located within the radius of the Yala National Park pick-ups, and Shashika called our tour guide the night before to confirm the pick-up address. Before we left, we also got invited by Shashika to plant our very own little soursop fruit tree which we hope to visit in the future! I’ve tried to upload some beautiful photos but sadly the Booking.com app keeps abruptly crashing every time I do so.

We spent 1 night in the tree house in a very peaceful location on the perimeter of Yala NP. A first time tree house experience for us which was very interesting. We loved Shashika’s enthusiasm for all things eco & his plans for future expansion. He took us on a tour around the lake which was calm & peaceful & he made us feel most welcome. His mum cooked a delicious Sri Lankan evening meal & breakfast. If you’re looking for an eco experience this is the place to go but bear in mind its not a luxury stay.

The bedroom & ensuite bathroom is small, stairs are steep but its a treehouse & relatively comfortable with nice double bed & mozzie net. We arrived in the dark & it took a while to adjust to low level lighting. Its only accessible by tuk tuk so we were dropped off by our driver away from the property & transported by tuk tuk to Animal View Point. It is in a very remote location.

This is the perfect place for people who love nature and still want comfort. The location is right next to Yala park. The view from the treehouse over Yala park is magnificent. The host is extremely helpful regarding safari, transport and more.The food is tasty, locally produced and fresh, so there is no reason to go into town to eat.

Nothing, all was perfect.

This was our highlight of Sri Lanka, it was an amazing experience. The viewpoint is between rice fields, lakes and yala national park is very close by. There are elephants close by and the farmers of the rice fields are guarding their fields from the elephants. From the threehut you can see farmers searching for the elephants and making sounds, this was all explained by the host and we met the farmers. It was a local experience because all of this. The host was very friendly and helpful. The dinner he and is family made was amazing. He took us also on a long walk, we saw many animals like crocodils!

Just staying two nights in the threehut :)

A beautiful treehouse amongst nature. Shashika was wonderful and made sure we were safe, comfortable, and had everything we needed. The food was incredible and he taught us lots about the local cuisine and especially the tea! We arrived around 2pm and after a welcome drink we had a couple of hours to relax before we went for a guided sunset walk with Shashika around the local area. We then had a delicious dinner. Shashika helped us to book a safari for the following day, and also a taxi to take us to our next location. He is so passionate about his business and keeping guests safe, and clearly works incredibly hard. We had a truly fantastic time at this jungle retreat, it was an incredible and unique experience! This review is based on what this stay is: a treehouse in the middle of the jungle. If you are expecting luxury air conditioned accommodation then this is not for you. You are in the middle of the jungle in a treehouse - it is incredible, but it is not luxurious. Occasional insects/small animals (e.g. frogs) can get into the treehouse. The mosquito net does a wonderful job of keeping you protected during the night, but if you don’t like the idea of being among nature, then you would likely not enjoy this stay. We really loved it, and if we are ever back in Sri Lanka we will come back to visit and to see Shashika. Thank you for everything!

Nothing - we had a wonderful stay :)

Tree House is awesome. Sashika gave us a guided walk around the surrounding fields and jungle in the late afternoon which was a real highlight.

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Our stay at Animal View Point Yala was absolutely unforgettable! Nestled in the heart of the jungle, we stayed in a charming treehouse that provided a truly authentic and thrilling experience. Falling asleep to the sounds of nature and waking up surrounded by wildlife was like living a dream. The owner, Shashika, is an exceptional host. He welcomed us with open arms, sharing his vast knowledge and insights about the local culture and environment. Shashika went above and beyond to ensure our stay was perfect, treating us to thoughtful surprises and making us feel right at home. One of the highlights was the delicious local dinner lovingly prepared by his mother – it was nothing short of amazing! Shashika also gave us a guided walk around the camp, immersing us in the beauty of the jungle, and organized an incredible safari experience that we will cherish forever. This is the ideal place for anyone looking to truly connect with nature and experience jungle life up close. The wildlife is just beyond the fence, offering a rare opportunity to see and hear it all. Sleeping in a treehouse is an absolute must for anyone’s bucket list, and this stay exceeded all our expectations. Animal View Point Yala is undoubtedly one of the best accommodations we’ve experienced in Sri Lanka. We wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking an adventurous, unique, and authentic jungle getaway. Thank you Shashika, we hope to see you again! :)

Everything was absolutely amazing !! Best experience.

We had such a fantastic time at Animal View Point, Shashika and his family were amazing hosts and we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. The cottage was lovely, secure from bugs and very well equipped for the two of us, and beautiful and quiet to hear the peace and sounds of nature at night time. The dinners were beautifully cooked and eating outside under the shelter was an amazing experience. The location is on a piece of farmland and we had a couple of sunset walks which was lovely, highly recommend to anyone traveling to Yala National Park. Shashika helped us organise the safari and a private car to our next location too! Thank you for having us, we will definitely come back :)

The name of this property is only partially accurate because it is much more than just a viewpoint for animals in Yala. Here you have a viewpoint into the heart and soul of Sri Lankan culture. Shasika and his family were so sincere and welcoming to us and in a such a loving way that we were moved like we never have before in our travels anywhere. We are now part of a family in Sri Lanka. Oh, and did I mention the awesome tree house, the incredible view and the delicious food? Priceless!

That we were not allowed to stay forever! 🥲

We had the best time during our 3 night stay at Animal view point. Shashika and his family are so nice and will do absolutely everything to make sure you are comfortable. Dinner was freshly made every evening by Shashika’s mother and sleeping in the cottage in the middle of the jungle was a super special experience. Yala park can be a bit busy in high season, however it’s a beautiful park and we have seen many animals. We would definitely recommend!

Unique experience in the middle of nowhere. Excellent experience away from the city. Our daughter (12) loved the experience, she participated in the development of the place by planting a tree. The owner makes sure you are happy and spent a lot of time with us to explain the origin of his project.

Not easy to find especially at night. It's not a 5-star hotel, so if you go there, you have to accept the natural charm of the place. No restaurant around but we can eat there, the food was really good.

The host is welcoming and made a big fuss of us for our honeymoon with room decorations and a gift. It was a wonderful experience to stay in a tree house - it is very authentic. Beautiful location, good food and the host was very helpful in taking us on a walk around the grounds and to see the bats in a local area. Would recommend packing a book for down time between arriving and the evening meal.

Such a special place! Shashika, the host, goes above and beyond to make the stay memorable. In the late afternoon, after our safari in Yala, he walked with us to the nearby lagoons to look for crocodiles. When it got darker, he took us with his tuktuk to a place where we could watch bats (hundreds of them!) going for their nighttime hunt. The bungalow was cozy and a true nature experience (e.g. we had the occasional lizzard in the bathroom, which we loved). The food was amazing: in the evening, Shashika's mum made delicious curry, and in the morning, we had an authentic breakfast with special rice and a herbal drink. Shashika took so much time to give us a great exprience, and we will definitely remember this highly individual stay. As a farewell, we got to plant our own tree - we were so happy!

Nothing to complain. This place is a dream for everyone who enjoys a true nature "feeling-of-homestay" experience. This means it might not the right accomodation for someone who is looking for the comfort/anonymity of a larger hotel (e.g., no AC, currently only 2 rooms).

Really fun staying in a treehouse, it was well built safe and comfortable. The location was great, felt very wild and perfect for two days safari. Very accommodating staff.

Small space so two nights was enough. Sometimes felt a little overwhelmed by the staff. Not loads of space to relax other than the room.

Our stay at the tree house in Animal View Point is one of the biggest memories that we brought with us from Sri Lanka. The views are unbelievable beautiful. Sunrise and sunsets were something from another world, there is so much life awakening everywhere. I can’t think in a better place (both the tree house and surroundings) to stay if you like birding. Also, there is even a shower in the tree house! Bed was perfect, the room was clean and fresh at night (we barely used the provided fan) and it had every amenity we needed. Staff was friendly, helpful and fantastic people. Both breakfast and dinner were absolutely delicious home-made Sri Lankan food, we did enjoy every bite of it. Also, every single spot of the hotel was carefully planned and thought, everything sustainable and coming from local business. I’d recommend this place to absolutely anyone that is looking for an authentic and real experience in Yala. We will definitely come back if we have the opportunity to.