Review Author: jackaizlewood, United Kingdom

Review Date: 30 Jan. 2019

Review Body: Our stay at the Natural Mystic Sanctuary was, without doubt, our favourite stay in Sri Lanka. Sam and Karina were extremely welcoming, and the location of the rooms is simply flawless. From taking ourselves off to explore the peaceful and relatively untouched rainforest, to enjoying a naturally occuring fish spa in the nearby river; our stay will certainly live long in the memory. While there, we went on one of the guided tours of the rainforest (highlighted in the Sanctuary's helpful guidebook), which I would strongly recommend. Sagara, our host, seemed genuinely passionate about the area, taking time to point out specific elements of the rainforest and explain their wider ecological and cultural significance, which not every guide seemed to - he also had the best (homemade) samosas we experienced in Sri Lanka! Our favourite, and perhaps the most simple, part of the stay however, was enjoying the amazing food on offer while looking out onto wildlife activity at dawn and dusk. Though it seems slightly 'off the beaten track', our stay was more than worth the effort. Should we return to Sri Lanka, we will certainly be going back. Thank you again, Sam and Karina!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Andrew S

Review Date: 30 Okt. 2017

Review Body: A long steeeeep 20minute walk up a track ( not really suitable for vehicles) ... into jungle / rainforest ... to this amazing little place on the edge of Sinharaja rain forest. The owners (Sam(English) & Karina(German)), have acquired part of an old tea plantation lodge in 7 acres of beautiful natural jungle. Totally off-grid - solar power only, water from their natural spring, all food / spices / fruit grown organically and excellently home cooked - by Sam & Karina, who are in the process of re-building, creating an idyllic place to stay, sensitively curating and cultivating their patch of jungle - with monkeys scampering in the trees, eagles floating on thermals, and fireflies dancing, Bob Dylan and good Reggae drifting lazily ... Met some lovely people (Nati, David, Nico) - volunteers helping with the project & They even let me loose with a machete to help clear a little bit of jungle !!! Enjoyed that immensely! All in all ... Natural Mystic Sanctuary is just that ! Thank you Sam & Karina

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lior H

Review Date: 30 Aug. 2018

Review Body: Possibly one of the best spots in the world, overlooking the jungle and tea plantations. The view from our room was outstanding and the sound of the jungle that surrounds the place is magical. The food was excellent and the place has amazing atmosphere. We visited Sinharaja rain forest which was mind blowing and only about 40 minuets away and also Lumbini which is a tea factory nearby. Karina and Sam who work hard to run the place are very friendly, kind and helpful. The place runs on solar power and has fresh spring water and also two very friendly dogs :) Highly recommended!!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Hugo

Review Date: 30 Jan. 2019

Review Body: This is a most unusual place which has been developed by friendly young couple from wild forest over the last 5 years . Very eco (only solar energy) but major problem for some will be the 15 min hike up cobbled path having crossed a wide stream. Their jeep was not working when we visited and getting luggage up was a struggle . Initially they charged us for getting our luggage up and back but they then saw sense and reimbursed us. Once they get their transport sorted it will be considerably better . Interesting walk around their “farm” but beware leeches ! They have worked incredibly hard and the rooms were comfortable. Food was very average but we were told their cook had suddenly taken the week off. Sinharaja Rainforest walk which we did was an hour away . If that is what you want suggest you book somewhere closer, as there are not really walks starting from this place. Rainforest was well worth the effort . If you want peace , solitude and want to support their eco efforts at this Sanctuary then go for it ! Reasonably priced .

Review rating: 4

Review Author: Martibass, England

Review Date: 30 Jan. 2019

Review Body: If you want to be away from it all and are not too needy when it comes to luxuries and accommodation and you are fit enough to deal with the hike up to the home then you may love this place. Sam and Karina are clearly committed environmentally and strive to be self sufficient and work to preserve the area of rainforest they have there. Largely self sufficient, the food was veggie but tasty. Favourite activities for us were being nibbled by the fish in the pools, walking in the forest and relaxing with only the noises of the forest. Expect bugs and frogs - it’s a forest! You may need to bring your own beer!

Review rating: 4

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Heute entdeckst du das Sanctuary, entspannst dich und kommst in deiner Unterkunft zur Ruhe.

Itinerary Description: Komm bitte unbedingt vor 18 Uhr an. Das Natural Mystic Sanctuary erreichst du, indem du einen flachen Fluss überquerst und über einen steinigen Weg auf den Hügel hinaufgehst. Der Weg durch die Teeplantagen ist wunderschön und der Aufstieg dauert etwa 15 Minuten. Genieße nach einer kleinen Wanderung bergauf durch malerischen Regenwald und Teeplantagen ein kühles Getränk im Restaurant des Sanctuary. Der Besitzer zeigt dir dieses kleine Paradies mit seinem erfrischenden Fluss, natürlichen Pools, riesigen Banyanbaum und der Plantage. Die Führung durch unser 6 Hektar großes Sanctuary dauert etwa 30 Minuten. Genieße den Rest des Nachmittags am Fluss oder beobachte einfach die Vögel, riesigen Eichhörnchen oder Affen, die an deiner Veranda vorbeiziehen.

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: Heute wanderst du 7 km durch den Wald zu Wasserfällen und beobachtest seltene Vögel.

Itinerary Description: 7.45 Uhr: Frühstück 8.30 Uhr: Abholung unten am Fluss, wo du am Vortag angekommen bist (der Weg nach unten dauert zu Fuß etwa 10 Minuten), und Transfer in das Sinharaja-Regenwaldreservat, wo du den erfahrenen Guide am Parkeingang triffst. Wanderung entlang des 5 km langen Standardwegs. Nach dem Besuch des ersten Wasserfalls und einer Pause zum Mittagessen mit der Möglichkeit zu schwimmen wanderst du tiefer in den Wald hinein, um die echte, unberührte Natur mit ihren verborgenen Tieren sowie ihrer Flora und Fauna bis zu einem zweiten Wasserfall zu erleben. Die Tour ist insgesamt etwa 7 km lang und dauert ungefähr 7 Std. Bitte bring eine Wasserflasche mit, die du vor deiner Abfahrt in unserem Sanctuary kostenlos mit Quellwasser auffüllen kannst. Das Mittagessen wird vom Guide gestellt, ebenso wie Salz gegen Blutegel. 18.30 Uhr: Sri-lankisches Abendessen bei Kerzenlicht mit Öllampen

Itinerary Day 3

Itinerary Summary: Heute besuchst du ein lokales Dorf und einen malerischen buddhistischen Tempel und genießt den atemberaubenden Blick über die Diyadawe-Regenwaldkette.

Itinerary Description: 8.45 Uhr: Frühstück. 10 Uhr: Dein lokaler Guide trifft dich nach dem Frühstück unten am Fluss und fährt mit dir entlang der malerischen Batandura Road. Bei gutem Wetter geht es zu einem Wasserfall, wo du ein erfrischendes Bad nehmen, eine King Coconut trinken und traditionell zubereitete Snacks aus dem Dorf genießen kannst. So bekommst du einen Eindruck vom lokalen Leben. Danach bringt dich ein Tuk-Tuk zu einem malerischen buddhistischen Tempel (Getabaruwa von Kotapola), der auf einem Hügel liegt und einen atemberaubenden Blick über die Diyadawe-Regenwaldkette bietet. Er ist von Dschungel umgeben, und mit etwas Glück kannst du Tiere wie Makaken, Purpurgesichtslanguren und Riesenhörnchen sehen. Gegen 14 Uhr bringt dich das Tuk-Tuk zurück zum Sanctuary. Gesamtdauer: 4 Std. 18.30 Uhr: Sri-lankisches Abendessen bei Öllampenlicht

Itinerary Day 4

Itinerary Summary: Mach dich bereit zur Abreise!

Itinerary Description: 8 Uhr: Frühstück und Abreise