Skip to content
Aerial villa ocean and forest wide, Kotiyagala Yala
One bedroom villa interior, Kotiyagala Yala
Pool aerial overhead with deck, Kotiyagala Yala
Aerial villa ocean and forest wide, Kotiyagala Yala
Home / Villas

Kotiyagala Yala YALA

Starting from $1400
24 guests
12 rooms
12 bathrooms

Kotiyagala sits twelve feet above the jungle floor on a private seven-acre estate at the edge of Yala National Park, and the elevation is the first thing to understand about it. From the wraparound terrace of each villa, wildlife moves through the canopy below rather than at eye level, the Indian Ocean fills the horizon in the other direction, and the jungle unfolds on all sides in the way it only does when you are standing in it rather than looking at it through a fence. The raised timber pathways that connect the twelve villas are the infrastructure of a property designed to leave the land beneath it intact, and the thatched roofs, dark wood finishes, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, and jungle-inspired interiors that characterise each villa are the result of a design process that took the natural setting as its brief rather than its backdrop.

Your Dates Are Waiting

Tell us when and we'll take care of the rest.

The Ceylon Haven Promise

  • Handpicked Villas. Only the best make the cut.
  • No Surprises. What you see is what you get.
  • Passport Included. Exclusive island experiences, on us.

Amenities at Kotiyagala Yala

Villa aerial at dusk over forest, Kotiyagala Yala

The wildlife passes below you rather than beside you

Aerial thatched roof villas location, Kotiyagala Yala

Each villa has its own pool at the edge of the canopy

Parking
Wi-Fi
Air conditioning
Bathtub
Kitchen
Spa
BBQ Facilities
Staff Included
Fully Equipped Kitchen
Private Pool
Garden
Generator
Hot Water
Hairdryer
Daily Cleaning
Outdoor Shower
Netflix / Smart TV

Location

Diyabunwala Kele, Palatupana, Yala National Park

Loading map...

Yala

What would it take to reside in one of Sri Lanka's wildest corners? Ceylon Haven has curated an eco-friendly collection of luxury Yala villas that let you feel like an unforgettable wildlife expedition every day. Enjoy the highest density of leopards found anywhere on earth, untamed dry-zone wilderness, pre-dawn game drives, and golden-hour sightings you'll talk about for years.

Get around

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport
Hambatota
1 hr
Bandaranaike International Airport
Katunayake
3 hr 30 min
Yala National Park Gate (Block 1)
Yala
5 min
Tissamaharama town
Tissamaharama
30 min
Udawalawe National Park
Embilipitiya
2 hr

Points of interest

Sithulpawwa Rock Temple
Hambantota
30 min
Bundala National Park
Bundala
45 min
Kataragama Sacred Site
Kataragama
35 min
Mirissa whale watching
Mirissa
3 hr 30 min
Tissa Lake
Tissamaharama
30 min

Your Dates Are Waiting

Tell us when and we'll take care of the rest.

The Ceylon Haven Promise

  • Handpicked Villas. Only the best make the cut.
  • No Surprises. What you see is what you get.
  • Passport Included. Exclusive island experiences, on us.

Booking policies

House Rules

  • Minimum age for primary guest: 18 years
  • Children of all ages welcome
  • Cots and extra beds not available
  • No smoking inside villa buildings
  • No events or functions without prior approval
  • Pets not permitted

Good to Know

  • Check-in from 2:00 PM
  • Check-out by 11:00 AM
  • Menus are personalised per guest
  • The daily game drive covers Yala National Park
  • Additional activities including nature treks, bush walks, stargazing, Udawalawe elephant excursions, Bundala National Park visits, and Sithulpawwa temple visits can be arranged
  • The property is solar-powered throughout

Cancellation policy

  • Cancel at least 30 days before your check-in date for a 50% refund
  • Cancel within 30 days of your check-in date and the booking is non-refundable

Explore the area

Local restaurants, cafes, museums, sites and activities, recommended by our community

Frequently asked questions

Check our FAQ for details on villa

What is Kotiyagala Yala?
Kotiyagala is a fully all-inclusive luxury eco retreat in Yala, Sri Lanka, managed by The One Group of Hotels. Twelve villas are elevated twelve feet above the jungle floor on raised timber pathways across a private seven-acre estate, each with a freshwater infinity pool, wraparound terrace, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, and simultaneous views of the Indian Ocean and Yala's wilderness. All daily meals, wine, cocktails, beverages, and a daily game drive into Yala National Park are included in the rate. The property is solar-powered and built without disrupting the jungle floor beneath it.
What are the two villa types?
The One Bedroom Villa has a king-size bed, ensuite bathroom with rain shower and soaking tub, a wraparound private terrace, and a freshwater infinity pool at the edge of the canopy; a private world above the jungle sleeping up to two guests. The Two Bedroom Villa adds a second bedroom with twin beds and a second ensuite bathroom, maintaining the same private pool and terrace configuration. It is Kotiyagala's answer to a group or family escape: intimate enough to feel personal, spacious enough to disappear into. All villas in both categories are fully air-conditioned with a mini fridge, LED television, and in-room safe.
What is included in the all-inclusive rate?
All daily meals across breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, along with a bottle of white wine and a bottle of sparkling wine per stay, cocktails, beer, shots, tea and coffee, snacks, and all non-alcoholic beverages. One daily game drive into Yala National Park is also included. Menus are personalised per guest by the kitchen team and combine Sri Lankan fusion cuisine, international dishes, and jungle-inspired dining moments served wherever in the property the setting warrants. The only additions are additional activities, spa treatments, and any personal items.
What is the wildlife like at Yala?
Yala National Park has one of the highest densities of leopards of any national park in the world, and Kotiyagala's position on the park boundary gives it immediate access to the prime wildlife corridors of Block 1. Elephants, sloth bears, mugger crocodiles, water buffalo, spotted deer, and a bird list running to over 200 species are all regularly sighted. The property's own estate sees wildlife moving through the canopy and along the raised pathways, and the experience of watching elephants pass below the villa terrace while sitting at the pool's edge is the detail that appears most consistently in guest accounts of the stay.
What activities are available beyond the game drive?
Nature treks and bush walks with in-house naturalists, stargazing sessions on the property grounds, a day excursion to Udawalawe National Park for elephant herds, a visit to Bundala National Park for wetland birdwatching including flamingos, and a visit to the ancient Sithulpawwa rock temple are all available through the resort. Kataragama, one of the most significant sacred sites in Sri Lanka, is 25 kilometres away. An Ayurveda spa and fitness centre are available on the property for guests who prefer to stay within the estate.
When is the best time to visit Yala?
The dry season from February to June offers the best wildlife visibility, as animals congregate around water sources and vegetation is lower. The park is rewarding year-round outside of its annual closure period, which falls approximately September to October when water levels are at their lowest and the park closes for maintenance. Exact closure dates vary each year. Visiting midweek rather than weekends significantly reduces the number of safari vehicles in the park, which the Kotiyagala team factors into game drive planning.

Connect Beyond Your Stay

Follow us for timeless inspiration, thoughtfully curated escapes, and the beauty of slow, meaningful travel.

Follow Us on Instagram
Follow Us on Instagram