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: Vandaag ontdek je het sanctuary, ontspan je en kom je tot rust in je accommodatie.

Itinerary Description: Zorg er alsjeblieft voor dat je voor 18.00 uur aankomt. Je bereikt Natural Mystic Sanctuary door een ondiepe rivier over te steken en via een stenig pad naar de top van de heuvel te lopen. Het is een mooie wandeling door de theeplantages en het duurt ongeveer 15 minuten om boven te komen. Geniet na een korte klim door schilderachtig regenwoud en theeplantages van een koel drankje in het restaurant van het sanctuary. De eigenaar laat je dit kleine paradijs zien, met zijn verfrissende rivier, natuurlijke poelen, reusachtige banyanboom en plantage. De rondleiding door ons sanctuary van 6 acre duurt ongeveer 30 minuten. Geniet van de rest van de middag aan de rivier of kijk gewoon hoe vogels, reuzeneekhoorns of apen langs je veranda trekken.

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: Vandaag trek je 7 km door het bos naar watervallen en zie je zeldzame vogels.

Itinerary Description: 7.45 uur: Ontbijt 8.30 uur: Ophalen beneden bij de rivier, waar je de dag ervoor bent aangekomen (het is ongeveer 10 minuten lopen naar beneden), en transfer naar het Sinharaja-regenwoudreservaat, waar je de ervaren gids ontmoet bij de ingang van het park. Wandeling over het standaardpad van 5 km. Na een bezoek aan de eerste waterval en een lunchpauze met de mogelijkheid om te zwemmen, trek je dieper het bos in om de echte, ongerepte natuur te ervaren, met haar verborgen dieren en flora en fauna, tot aan een tweede waterval. De tocht is in totaal ongeveer 7 km lang en duurt ongeveer 7 uur. Neem alsjeblieft een waterfles mee die je voor vertrek bij ons Sanctuary gratis kunt bijvullen met bronwater. De lunch wordt verzorgd door de gids, net als zout tegen bloedzuigers. 18.30 uur: Sri Lankaans diner bij olielicht

Itinerary Day 3

Itinerary Summary: Vandaag bezoek je een lokaal dorp en een sfeervolle boeddhistische tempel, met onderweg prachtig uitzicht over de Diyadawe-regenwaldketen.

Itinerary Description: 8.45 uur: Ontbijt. 10 uur: Je lokale gids ontmoet je na het ontbijt beneden bij de rivier en rijdt met je langs de schilderachtige Batandura Road. Bij goed weer ga je naar een waterval, waar je een verfrissende duik kunt nemen, kunt genieten van een king coconut en van lokaal bereide, traditionele dorpssnacks. Zo krijg je een indruk van het lokale leven. Daarna brengt een tuk-tuk je naar een sfeervolle boeddhistische tempel (Getabaruwa van Kotapola), boven op een heuvel met prachtig uitzicht over de Diyadawe-regenwaldketen. De tempel is omringd door jungle en er leeft wildlife zoals makaken, purpergezichtslangoeren en reuzeneekhoorns. Rond 14 uur brengt de tuk-tuk je terug naar het Sanctuary. Totale duur: 4 uur. 18.30 uur: Sri Lankaanse diner bij olielicht

Itinerary Day 4

Itinerary Summary: Maak je klaar voor vertrek!

Itinerary Description: 8 uur: Ontbijt en vertrek