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Cinnamon Wild

Our rating

7/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Delightful jungle and beach chalets
- Adjacent to Yala National Park
- Great for animal lovers

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Overview

Cinnamon Wild Yala is a characterful resort comprising a series of sixty eight chalets scattered around 10 acres of scrubland on Sri Lanka’s south east coast, just a stone’s throw from the beach. Located on the border of Yala National Park, Cinnamon Wild is ideal for nature lovers since animals such as elephant, deer and wild boar are free to roam through the grounds. There’s a lovely pool, a variety of dining facilities to enjoy, and plenty of wildlife to see both wandering through the resort and in the National Park itself.

While the 60 jungle chalets may have a rustic look and feel on first glance, they do in fact have all the modern conveniences to make for a comfortable stay such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi, cable TV, complimentary toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities and a minibar. Each jungle chalet also has a private porch complete with table and chairs. As for the 8 beach chalets, they’re perhaps better suited to couples as they’re a bit smaller and more private, though they can accommodate extra beds if required. They’re built on stilts with lovely views of the beach and sea, although note that beach visits are not recommended due to the presence of wildlife and the choppy waters which are not safe for swimming.

The resort is open year-round, although note that Yala National Park closes down in September and October due to potentially adverse weather conditions, so these are not the ideal months to visit. The national park is home to an abundance of wildlife and is known for having the highest leopard density in the world. There are also 44 other mammal species to spot, along with 215 bird species. Some of the many animals that can be seen here include peacocks, spotted deer, crocodiles, jackals, sloth bears and elephants to name but a few.

Unsurprisingly, there are many nature-based activities available at the resort. Perhaps the most exciting is the nighttime jeep tour along the edge of the Yala National Park, which has guests wearing night-vision goggles to try and spot animals in the dark. Jeep tours are also possible in the early mornings and late afternoons. Guided tours of the resort’s extensive grounds are very enjoyable, as are birdwatching trips to Bundala National Park.

Families will be pleased to know that Cinnamon Wild Yala welcomes children of all ages, although note that there are no designated facilities for children. Since the resort is unfenced with animals free to roam, parents are advised to supervise their children at all times even even though it’s very unlikely that animals will approach chalets or people.

Suggested Itineraries for Cinnamon Wild

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 530 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • Dear Lisa. On behalf of the three generations of the Rowland family. Thank you, so much, for organising our wonderful holiday to Botswana and the Victoria Falls. The trip of a lifetime. The week mobile camping in the bush, with our guide Nandos and his crew was a fantastic adventure. How they manage to cook such wonderful food on an open fire is amazing. The sites were constantly visited by monkeys and once by elephants. We were even lucky enough to see two packs of wild dogs, once with a kill. Waterberry Lodge on the Zambezi River is a wonderfully tranquil place. Ideal to relax after the adventures of our safari and visiting Victoria Falls. Very many thanks once again

    MissingGodfrey R reviewing Private Mobile Family Safari in Botswana on 25 September 2023

  • We had a great time - even with the flight between Governors and the coast being two flights and a car! We also experienced a power cut At Nairobi airport on the way home so 2+ hours late taking off. Governors. Wonderful people and dealt with the flight delay very well - taking us back and letting us know that we could stay there if the flight was delayed overnight. The game drives were excellent and our guide (Erick) obviously very experienced and managed to find all the key animals - no rhino in that part of the Masai Mara but everything else in abundance - never seen so many herbivores (many many elephants as well as all the others) as well as two prides of lions. Could not have asked for more. The ‘tent’ was excellent and comfortable and well serviced. The only ‘complaint’ would be that the food - especially dinner - could be improved (I think we got a bit bored of soup as a starter for every meal bar one) and the main courses were not at the same level as Kinondo Kwetu and while all were explained there was no choice offered. The breakfasts were just what was needed after an early game drive. Kinondo Kwetu. What a great location and the welcome when we arrived at just gone 11.00pm was better than you could have ever thought possible - they we’re disappointed that we did not at that time want the full dinner experience! The rooms we’re comfortable. The food was excellent but again no choice was offered - other than for allergy reasons (which we do not have). May be some choice would be nice. Having said that the food we did have was excellent as were the wines (albeit a short list!) and other drinks. There were (as you know) lots of facilities/sports options - but we spent our time relaxing which was exactly what we needed and there were lots of places to do that. Overall. We would go back to both places - perhaps a few more nights at Kinondo Kwetu next time but 3 nights at Governors was perfect for us. Thank you for organising and recommending both places. That you and your colleague for trying to find out about the plane (flat tyre) but communication by the flight company left a lot to be desired (Governors were furious that they were not told and had taken us to the airstrip). Phil

    MissingPhilip R reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach on 01 September 2023

  • It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve

    MissingStephen H reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari on 01 September 2023

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