As a South African, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a safari experience in Sri Lanka, but Mahoora-Yala by Eco Team exceeded all expectations in the most delightful way. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by an exceptional team of hosts who were attentive, informative, and genuinely passionate about creating a memorable experience. Our guide led us on an immersive journey through the local wilderness, where we explored the diverse flora and fauna of the region. It was fascinating to learn about the unique plant life, listen to the calls of unfamiliar bird species, and encounter endemic wildlife in its natural habitat. Beyond the safari itself, witnessing the rural landscapes and daily life of the local communities added a deeply enriching cultural dimension to our visit. The accommodations were a perfect blend of comfort and adventure—true "glamping" at its finest. Our tent was well-equipped with everything we needed, from a plush bed to a refreshing shower, ensuring a seamless balance between luxury and the raw beauty of nature. The journey from the southern coast was undoubtedly worthwhile; stepping away from the beaches and surf life to embrace the serenity of the wilderness was a rewarding and unforgettable experience. Mahoora-Yala is more than just a safari—it’s an invitation to connect with nature in an intimate and meaningful way.

Wifi signal wasn't great, but who needs it in the wild?

The set up of the tent is beautiful. They've put some thought into decoration and how it's all presented. We had a troop of grey faced langurs that lived near our tent, so that was enjoyable to watch 😍 staff were helpful and friendly. The afternoon stroll was nice enough, nothing magnificent or anything, but it was a good experience because of MJ and his humour and knowledge of the animals.

The shower was average and hot water didn't really work. BUT you are camping and our tent was furtherest from the main camp, so maybe that's why. The beds weren't super comfortable, the mattress was a bit thin, as were the pillows. Breakfast was average and dinner was OK but we only stayed 1 night, so it was fine enough.

Before even arriving at mahoora yala safari we were added into a WhatsApp group where they helped us arrange transport to Mahoora from Ella and from the safari to Mirissa! On arrival we were greeted by porters who carried our bags to and from tent (I use the word tent very lightly) were brilliant as the rain was intense when we arrived. The trails to our rooms were lit with little fires which was a beautiful touch and really very helpful. The staff were very polite and professional. Tea and coffee facilities and chill area were great. The candlelit dinner was delicious and plentiful. Unfortunately the night walk was called off due to severe and persistent bad weather but the tent are so luxurious it was a welcome rest in our accommodation listening to the rain and nature around us. Brilliant to read about the eco-friendly initiatives they take such as sourcing food locally, composting all organic waste and minimising plastic use. The safari was out of this world and so well organised. We had a jeep to ourselves which added to the experience so much. Highly recommend booking accommodation and safari with Mahoora!

The staff were excellent, and Travis the camp leader explained what to expect: Think beds, chairs, toilet, and basic shower facilities all under canvas in a hot and humid environment with fans in the tents to keep cool . We embraced it wholeheartedly. A retreat from the chaos of urban life. The surrounding wildlife is superb, so bring binoculars. A pair also makes the safaris even more interesting. We played 'cricket ' with Travis and anyone who wanted to join in. It was hilarious. The langur monkeys roam the camp, non intrusive, but very entertaining. We spent 2 nights here but embraced the wilderness, wildlife, and simple ethos.

We had a wonderful night at Mahoora. The tent was immaculate and well equipped including a double bed each and a seating area. Staff greeted us when we arrived, with a refreshing drink and quick briefing about the camp. Food and atmosphere were great for dinner and a picnic breakfast was provided for our safari. It was wonderful to be immersed in nature and very relaxing.

Service at lunch wasn't brilliant on the day we checked out, it was a bit slow and we had a taxi booked but the staff did their best to rush it once we chased a few times.

The staff were all excellent, and very helpful. It's beautiful and feels like living in the jungle. Right by Yala as well so super easy to get in.

The food leaves a bit to be desired, especially for what they're charging. All of the local stuff was great, it was the "European" stuff that wasn't great, and it was almost always cold by the time it was served too. I'm surprised it doesn't have a bar/lounge area. I've done a lot of safaris and I find that everybody gets back around lunch, has a nap, then heads over to the bar for a few drinks before dinner. Big missed opportunity there. Also no bathroom near the dining area is awkward as you have to walk some distance back to your tent.

Lovely friendly staff on arrival who explained about the property and facilities. The accommodation was excellent, very clean with everything needed for a night’s stay. The two fans in the tent were much needed due to it being very hot and humid Booked the evening meal and early morning safari the next day. The food was delicious and eating outside was a lovely experience, especially gazing up to see all the many stars. All staff very attentive and a good choice of food and drink.

This was a perfect first Safari experience for us. The tent was spacious with great facilities for everything we needed. The camp site even has some sport equipment which we enjoyed using in the evening before the sun went down. We had a great time on our night walks taking in lots of nature with an experienced naturalist guide. Dinner by the fire was incredible, felt very secluded at your own table with lovely food from the BBQ. We also booked a safari which was incredible and delivered on everything we hoped it would. Both our driver and guide were excellent and very respectful to nature. Finally the staff were all extremely helpful and kind. I would firmly recommend coming here if you are looking for the full Safari experience.

The tents were very spacious and clean, we felt very safe in them and to our surprise slept very well. The dinner under the stars is really special and it’s nice to interact with the other guests. We went out on safari twice, didn’t see any leopards but saw lots of elephants. Being gluten free, the staff went out of their way to make sure I didn’t miss out on any delicious meals.

There wasn’t much to do in the day when we weren’t on safari and before dinner, we stayed for 2 nights but with hindsight 1 night would suffice.

Close to Yala Park entrance (25-30 min). Good food for dinner (barbeque chicken/pork/fish, local desserts) and breakfast. Bottled water is included. Staff is very friendly and helpful with every aspect you might have. They even brought additional fans because it was very hot. You can see many monkeys in the camp. Nice dinner experience by the bonfire. We did afternoon safari and it turned out to be just great, it was not that hot, especially after 4:30 pm, the safari jeep was very good and confortable, we even had the luck to see a leopard, and the beautiful lakes and sunset colors.

The tents are stained and look old, and have a lower ceilling, compared to Mahoora Udalawave Camp, which was better in all aspects. The sheets broken and not that clean, as well as the towels (asked for others because of the color). And I am only comparing to the other camp they have, where conditions were better. The lights in the tent were very obscure, we had to use phone lights to check our bags. I still don’t understand why a night here costed more than the prior night in Mahoora Udawalave.