Highlights
- Farm-stay on peaceful tea estate
- Rural setting with splendid views
- Simple, rustic accommodation
- Hiking, cycling, estate tours
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our specialists on 855 686 7694
EnquireAmba Estate is an organic farm and guesthouse in the remote Uva Highlands region of southern Sri Lanka. This rustic and charming property sits in a verdant valley with wonderful views of the iconic peaks of Ella Rock and Lipton’s Seat. The estate offers simple and comfortable accommodation in a picturesque location surrounded by nature and will appeal to travellers seeking an atmospheric stay and an authentic slice of rural Sri Lankan life.
Meals are served communal style, with a focus on traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, using organic ingredients grown on the estate. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily, with picnics provided upon request. Whilst the property does not hold a licence to serve alcohol, guests are welcome to bring their own alcoholic drinks should they so wish.
Activities include cycling, with complimentary bike hire available, and hiking. The surrounding plantations, hills, and valleys provide a choice of routes, ranging from gentle strolls to more challenging hikes. The estate is home to a variety of bird and wildlife including peacock, humming bird, and kingfisher, plus wild boar, monkey, civet and mongoose, and binoculars are provided for wildlife spotting. Sri Lankan cookery lessons are available, and tours of the estate are offered, including an introduction to artisanal tea processing methods. A selection of books and board games are also provided. Further afield, the spectacular Buddhist statues at Buduruwagala, and the Dowa Rock Temple, are well worth a visit.
Accommodation is spread out across the original farmhouse, the former tea workers quarters, and two newly-built properties. Over a century old, Amba Farmhouse comprises four double or twin rooms, with two shared bathrooms. The ‘line rooms’ originally housed the estate’s tea workers, and comprise three double or twin rooms, all with ensuite bathrooms. Eagle Rock Villa offers one double and one twin room, and a two-room family unit, all with ensuite bathrooms. Last but not least, Clove Tree Cottage has one family suite and one triple room, both with ensuite bathrooms. Each property has its own kitchen, lounge, and dining room, and all have wonderful views across the valley.
Children of all ages are welcome. The cottage and villa both offer family suites comprising interconnecting double and twin bedrooms, a private ensuite bathroom, and a private terrace. Alternatively, the farmhouse, villa, and cottage can each be rented on an exclusive basis, a good option for families or groups requiring additional space and privacy. Due to the rural nature of the property’s location, parents are reminded to keep their children under constant adult supervision.
Thank you, Lisa! Our trip was wonderful even with the weather disruption. We loved seeing so many different parts of the country, meeting people and experiencing the culture. The desert was surely a highlight for our boys and the creativity and artisanship of everything from food to crafts were a highlight for me. A special shout out to our guide and driver, they became a special part of our trip and we will forever be grateful for meeting them and learning from them. I cannot believe we had to wait three years for this adventure but it was certainly worth the wait! Thanks for all your help building the itinerary, modifying it and troubleshooting during our stay. Leslie B
Leslie B
reviewing Luxury Desert Holiday
on 01 March 2023
Hi Lisa and everyone at Tourdust,
We've had a wonderful time on our holiday and wanted to pass our appreciation to you. Everything has been expertly planned and executed, allowing us to enjoy the holiday to its fullest. Special appreciation to Muhammed, Ibrahim, and Omar, our Atlas guide, cook, and muleteer, who couldn't have done more for us and were just generally wonderful and hardworking. Riad Hanane is a perfect base in Marrakech to complement the trekking as it's ina less touristy area of the medina, which we appreciated. The staff and accomodation was superb.Thank you again for a trip to remember!
Bob, May, Grace, and Lucas
Robert B
reviewing Marrakech & Mountains Family Trek
on 20 February 2023
Hello Lisa. We came back from our trip two weeks ago now so I am sending this email much later than I wanted to. Nevertheless, what I wanted to say was thank you very much for helping us organise an amazing trip. Our days in Mafia Island to celebrate my 50th birthday were exactly what I wanted them to be: a fantastic time with the family doing activities that we all love and enjoy in a relaxing, unusual, beautiful place full of sun, surrounded by water, wildlife and friendly people. We swam with whale sharks, did a lot of snorkeling, had two picnics on a beautiful sand bank, watched the sunset over the sea, did a bird watching excursion and tried scuba diving.
All merit to you because Pole Pole in Mafia Island was your recommendation. I never heard of Mafia Island before and didn't consider Tanzania to start with. It was an amazing place to stay: friendly, relaxed, beautiful, comfortable, with great food and fantastic service. Thanks not only for finding the place but also for your patience as we prepared the trip and I explored options and decided what I wanted. All went incredibly well (places, transfers, flights) and we had a very memorable time together that we will all remember forever - as we still do the safari trip to South Africa you organised for us 5 years ago.
I cannot wait to plan another trip! I am already thinking about where and when. Hopefully no pandemic will get in the way this time. And I will come to you as my favourite travel agent.
I copy in this message the Tourdust office because I want them to know how good you are and how much I appreciated the different trips you organised for us (including the trip to India for my parents that was cancelled due to Covid). I cannot thank you enough :o)
Kind regards, Carol
Carolina O
reviewing Relaxed Bush & Beach Family Holiday in Tanzania
on 25 November 2022