Wild Elephants come to Watch You!

"Botakanda Inspiration is a unique eco-friendly tourism concept that integrates high tech, low tech and no tech solutions, with local villagers from Grass Root levels as stakeholders. Experience a sustainable vacation with ethical values!" 'Botakanda' means Wild Elephant in Native Language.

A long time ago a thirsty young indigenous boy 'Kaekula' in the forest discovers a water hole with the help of a baby wild elephant. Ever since that day he built small ponds where ever possible for wild elephants to quench their thirst. Our service provides immediate relief and peace of mind to those in need. Make a difference today!

Located in the heart of Karandagas wewa in habarana, Sri Lanka, we are committed to providing a unique and immersive experience that blends rustic luxury with nature. Our social enterprise proudly supports over 15 families, ensuring that your stay directly contributes to the community.

The beauty of our surroundings comes with the responsibility of maintaining the area which includes repairing damage caused by wildlife, particularly elephants. These gentle giants while a majestic sight when they come inside the premises, can cause significant wear and tear on our facilities. 32 Percent last year of our budget was allocated to "Water Pipeline Breakage."

Our rates reflect the unique challenges and efforts required to maintain our property and provide a safe, comfortable, and an authentic experience for our guests.

Due to the movement of wild elephants maintaining the safety of our transportation is crucial and navigating through rough terrain during rainy season must ensure that our always broken Landrover Series 111 Australian model is in running condition for guest transfers and the staff. We also offer free transport in the night for people who are in need to go to the town.

By choosing to stay at the Elephant Watch Hut, you are not only enjoying a unique and unforgettable experience but also contributing to the preservation of the environment and the well being of the local community. Your support helps us to manage these maintenance costs and sustain the livelihoods of the families we support.

If you seek an experience that combines rustic architecture, functional facilities, and a deep connection to nature, Elephant Watch Hut is the perfect choice. This is not a hotel but pure, immersive experience that specially supports the local community from grassroots levels to become independent entrepreneurs. 

Although WABI SABI can be hard to define, we can translate its simplified meaning to “rustic simplicity” Enjoy rustic simplicity with our sustainable outdoor living services: furniture, BBQ, showers, & more crafted to blend in with nature & during windy days Pollen covered deck ponds create a tranquil atmosphere.

We use solar power for lighting, supplemented with a tuk tuk battery. Due to limited power, we ask guests to charge their phones inside the watch hut, If additional charging is needed our staff can assit. Wifi is available, and hot water is provided through an LPG gas powered system. Pls inform our staff. 

All meals are prepared by seven local families, our beloved "Village Chefs." who bring the rich flavors of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine directly to you. These meals are transported using local tuk tuks, ensuring freshness and a touch of local charm.

At 17:30, guests can enjoy fresh water grilled prawns, a delightful start for the evening. Dinner is served from 6 pm to 7 pm at our scenic Hornbill Grill. If wild elephants do appear, guests need to quickly grab their dinner in specially made wooden trays and move to their watch huts pond decks.

After 19:00 Hrs dinner is served in the watch huts on the private dining area, offering a private dining experience complete with a beautiful bonfire due to the potential threat of wild elephants. These wild elephants can come in from any direction specially in the night to feed on rice fields close by.

"Don't let language barriers get in the way of communication. Our team use google translator to bridge the divide and communicate effectively with the guests. At the same time to improve their language & communication skills for their benefit.

We appreciate your interest in Elephant Watch Hut. If this unique experience resonates with you, we look forward to welcoming you. Kindly fill the reservation form accordingly. If not, thank you for visiting our website. Need clarification pls contact us.