“Solitude is such a potential thing. We hear voices in solitude, we never hear in the hurry and turmoil of life; we receive counsels and comforts, we get under no other condition …”
– Amelia E. Barr
If you are planning a memorable holiday where tranquility, privacy and relaxation are essential ingredients, Wild Grass Nature Resort, in the unassuming village of Kumbukkadanwala located between Sigirya and Dambulla, will tick the boxes for you.
Wild Grass is blessed with exceptional natural beauty — surrounded by undulating hills, extravagant foliage, even a little lake — and tranquility, disturbed only by the sounds of the forest, the twitter of birds and the call of the peacock. Life unfolds here at your pace, and we can assure you, this pace will slow down the longer you stay here, as you take in the clean fresh air, and begin to unwind and relax.
Most of the 25-acre resort is untouched jungle –the entrance to the resort is alongside a sentinel hill, and a small jungle path brings you to a natural clearing which houses an open sided, two storey pavilion which functions as a reception, bar area, lounge and restaurant, which offers a fabulous view of the magnificent Kandalama hills.
The ‘hotel’ as it were comprises of 7 spacious villas occupying a small carbon footprint, and as a result, the resort is regularly visited by rabbits, deer, wild boar, monkeys and over 40 species of birds as well as the occasional wild elephant.
Life at Wild Grass is uncomplicated; perfect for those seeking escape from the busy life. For those who take relaxation to the extreme, take a dip in the pool, read a book or simply stay indoors. Others might want to explore the property and the environs, or go off on an adventurous nature trail; or explore the cultural triangle and other lesser known historical sites nearby.
Wild Grass is also sought after as a honeymoon location as privacy and discretion are not just words but a philosophy practiced by the Wild Grass team.
Wild Grass follows strict nature conservation methods and much is being done to preserve the natural eco-systems. Some of the produce used in the kitchen comes from our own garden, though sometimes it appears to be a losing battle to the monkeys and peacocks that help themselves with impunity to the vegetables! We also source some of the items from the village which also uses eco-friendly methods to grow food. Solar power provides for hot water and for partial lighting, and plans are underway to power the entire resort using solar energy. The kitchen also practices environment-friendly methods in the way it disposes of waste.
Accommodation
There are 7 individual villas – two family villas that sleep between 4 and 6 people each, and five one bedroom villas for double or triple occupancy. Each villa is adequately spaced out to make privacy the ultimate luxury, and have all the comforts of modern-day living, with super-comfortable bedding, air conditioning, satellite TV channels, free wifi, minibar and fridge, coffee/tea making facilities and reading materials. Electronic safes and hairdryers are available in each villa. . Bicycles are provided on request to cycle up to the dining pavilion or explore the village.
The villas are contemporary in design with timber ceilings, floors in timber and polished cement, and glass sliding doors/windows that opens out to the magnificent natural surroundings. Villas come in two types – on a single raised level where bedroom and living are in one seamless space, or on two levels, with bedroom upstairs and a living room downstairs. The unique specialty family villas also comes in 2 formats to give our guests a different holiday experience – one is more suitable for families with smaller children, while the second is great for families with older children, or for friends travelling together. The family villas have two bedrooms in each unit, each with its own bathroom. Open air rain showers are another feature found in all villa types and a perfect antidote to a hot sultry day.
Wild Grass is an ideal holiday retreat for those who enjoy nature, good food, and privacy. The resort is child friendly and safe; children are very welcome.
Food & Beverages
The menu includes both international and local cuisine. Special food requests (including vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free meals) and other personal preferences are accommodated by the chef.
There are no set timings for the meals, which are decided exclusively by the guest, who can also choose to dine in different locations – the main restaurant, under the stars in the main restaurant’s roof terrace or even in the villa.
What is more, our sentinel hill at the entrance of the resort is an ‘on the rock’ venue of choice for breakfasts, picnics or champagne sky dinners for the romantic couple, the honeymooner or even for family and friends. Not to mention the fantastic views of the surrounding countryside.
The resort also has a fully licensed bar and offers a good range of wines, alcoholic beverages and cocktails including the signature Wild Grasshopper!
Facilities
A resident naturalist is available to conduct nature tours, by day or night.
Cycles are available on request to move about within the property or for rides into the village and beyond.
The resort has a large swimming pool and sundeck for relaxation, trails for walking, cycling and/or jogging within the resort.
Board and card games are available on request.
Excursions
There is plenty to do just around Wild Grass Nature Resort including visits to the cultural sites of the mystical Sigiriya Rock (15 minutes away) and the culturally rich Dambulla cave temples (20 minutes away), Kaludiya Pokuna archeological site (15 minutes away), Ritigala Reserve and Kandalama tank, nature walks, photography, bird watching, cycling etc.
The National Parks of Minneriya, Kaudulla and Wasgamuwa are also located nearby and Wild Grass organizes safaris starting from the resort itself, as well as hot air ballooning expeditions (during the season). Mountain bikes are offered for those wishing to explore the local area and surrounding countryside.
Many guests choose to base themselves at Wild Grass as it is perfectly located not only for the shorter trips around Sigiriya and Dambulla but also for day trips to the ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy.
Since it was registered with TripAdvisor four years ago, Wild Grass has consistently obtained TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence award. We have had many guests return, including some from overseas.
But I’ll tell you what hermits realize. If you go off into a far, far forest and get very quiet,
You’ll come to understand that you’re connected with everything.
– Alan Watts
For more information and for inquiries, contact wildgrasslk@gmail.com or visit www.wildgrass.lk or call us on 0664935577, 0662286866 or 0773965577