Gal Oya Lodge

Under a roof of illuk grass, the airy restaurant serves Sri Lankan cuisine (and a variety of worldly dishes) including the likes of fish baked in lemongrass and plated on a banana leaf. The large stone bar has a selection of beer, wine and spirits plus Sri Lanka's quintessential arrack sours. Just down the bank, you'll find a pool with blue loungers alongside and views of 'Monkey Mountain'. If you fancy it, the central lounge also has a collection of board games and guide books to bone up on your safari facts.

Built in locally-sourced cajan and teak, the nine bungalows fit seamlessly into the landscape. Each comes decked out with a king-size canopy bed with elephant-print cushions, doors that open onto a spacious patio and tree trunk tables in the lounge. Decorated in hand-crafted furnishings and woven rugs, the rooms also come with fans and mozzie nets. The open-air bathrooms have large granite counters, a walk-in shower and bamboo spouts over brass basins. There is one family villa, which sits at the lodge's highest point and has a large, wrap-around verandah.