Athgira River Camping - Udawalawe

Athgira River Camping - Udawalawe descritpion

Offering views of the Rakwana River, this property is just 1.9 miles from Elephant Transit Home. It offers rustic hut-style accommodation with a private veranda and surrounded by greenery.
Athgira River Camping – Udawalawe is 4.3 miles from Udawalawe National Park. It is 12.4 miles from Waulpane Limestone Cave and 24.9 miles from Mattala International Airport.
Cooled with a fan, the individual cabanas feature a wardrobe and a bathroom with shower facilities, toiletries and slippers.
The restaurant serves local and international delights and offers a breakfast buffet. Room service is provided.
Athgira has a games room and a tour desk. Its 24-hour front desk staff can assist with laundry, massage and currency exchange services. Car rental and barbecue facilities are also available.

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Facilities of Athgira River Camping - Udawalawe

Outdoors ：BBQ Facilities | Outdoor Pool (all year) | Grounds

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Breakfast in the Room

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is needed).

General ：Newspapers

Reviews for Athgira River Camping - Udawalawe

Review 1：The staff management (the rest of the staff was kind) was careless and inattentive: i) when we asked about safari possibilities we got little information and no advice, ii) we stayed two nights and after the first night they came to pick up our luggage, iii) when going to the reception we found ourselves numerous time having to wait even though there was no one else and the staff was busy chatting with each other.

Review 2：Overall: we really enjoyed our stay at Athghira River Camping and would recommend it to our friends. We would go back but hope to find a more humble and attentive management. Amazing location and very charming concept. It's an hybrid between a bungalow and a tent (very clean and comfortable) and between a wild setting and a hotel with a pool. We liked the quiet and wild setting, the pool was a plus and excellent to relax post safari. The half day safari was very well organized and the guide was extremely professional and competent. The dinner is very romantic, in the garden with candlelights and the bonfire. The context is very well in line with a safari experience. Having seen the hotel possibilities in the area of the national park, we further appreciated Athghira River Camping in that others were either extremely basic campsite or wannabe luxury without any charm and facing the road

Review 3：BBQ buffet dinner was average and way overpriced for what it was. We booked a safari through them and didn't realise a guide would come separate. When you get to the park, guides will approach you to see if you'd like their services. If you're going just to see the elephants, then I'd pass.

Review 4：Smiley staff, pool was awesome on a hot day.

Review 5：The manager was very rude, there were 2 families turned up to be told there were no rooms available despite having booked directly with the campsite, the manager was no help. We also booked Safari to then be told at 6am that were not on the list, this was resolved eventually over an hour later. No breakfast or take away breakfast was supplied before the safari , the children had to wait until our 11.30 return before eating.

Review 6：The campsite was clean and well maintained, the pool area and garden was lovely. We spent Christmas Eve there and the buffet and entertainment was very good.

Review 7：Smelly bathroom with loo that didn't flush. Average food.

Review 8：Great idea & enjoyed the "camping" but thought a little overpriced for the facilities. Bathroom not pleasant - smelly, basic, only cold water, loo didn't flush. But very nice swimming pool & surrounds. Food pretty average & a little overpriced.

Review 9：It was everything written on the packet. From the warm welcome, the great accommodation, very helpful & friendly staff. The safari was arranged through them and it was faultless. The driver was experienced and had such a keen eye, we missed nothing. In fact we had such a close encounter with a bull elephant it was one of, if not the best memory of Sri Lanka. The food (& chef) were great with good vegetarian options. The manager also helped us with transport to the next location.

Review 10：The staff are a mixed bunch, some were helpful and friendly but the person managing when we were there was disporganised and dismissive with guests and other staff. it made the place feel like an expensive tourist factory and very unlike the other places we have been in Sri Lanka. My mosquito net was smelly and normally I would ask it be changed and think no more about it but I did not want the annoyance of trying to sort it out with the unhelpful manager.

Review 11：It's a lovely spot and the proximity to the park is great. The tents are fun and the pool is super.

Review 12：The safari next morning could have started a little earlier so that we would be in the park when the sun was rising. It took a long time to pay the entrance fee at the gate.

Review 13：Such a cool and different place to stay at! We enjoyed the "tent " with proper beds,the surroundings with the river, the swimmingpool , the nice and helpful staff and the great barbecue at night!!!

Review 14：Lots of bugs but that's unavoidable!

Review 15：This place is perfect if you want a camping experience in a beautiful setting. Tents are very basic, and you have a mosquito net to keep the bugs away at night. The food was excellent and staff very friendly. We did a half day safari also - which was brilliant.

Review 16：My only suggesstion would be to add a few more sunbeds by the pool. (hot water would have been a bonus but hey we were camping and all part of the fun)

Review 17：We only stayed one night as used for a base for exploring Udawalawa park but was ideal and a great experience. The tents/rooms where just the right size and bathrooms modern and clean. A very peaceful environment and we even had a couple of monitor lizards for company. Food great and loved the fact there was a swimming pool

Review 18：The bathroom didn't seem to have much ventilation so became a bit smelly at times, but not a huge problem considering we were "camping".

Review 19：The food was surprisingly good considering the location. Breakfast by the river was lovely. The pool and badminton court were great for some downtime.

Review 20：Wifi connection would not work

Review 21：A beautiful location. Well organised safari which was made so much more authentic after our night in the cabana. The National Park is so close and the wildlife including elephants was the highlight of our trip.

Review 22：The staff says it is not possible to share a jeep for the safari with other rooms. So they can charge 1 jeep, 1 driver and 1 guide per room. But ofcourse you can contact other persons on the camping to share a Jeep, but you have to do it yourself.

Review 23：Comfortable tents on a quiet location near the river, nice pool, friendly staff

Review 24：Price Qualifying Relation is a misfit! The reception wants to sell you additional services, like the Safari, of you already have Booker that somewhwere else, they let you feel their disapointment a Little bit. Same with the overpriced Dinner Buffet. They sell more rooms than they have, sind send these to other Hotels of their Group.

Review 25：Nicely situated at the River.

Review 26：Nothing much. We were aware of the 'only cold water' shower, which because of the air temperature was not a big problem. The Creditcard machine was broken, so we could only pay by cash or in the restaurant (5'min drive) by credit card.

Review 27：The staff is extremely friendly and polite and tried to make our stay the most enjoyable. The cottages are next to the river and you really feel being in the middle of nowhere, with no traffic or city sounds to be heard. The safari was really fun, but also at the river camping there is some wildlife nearby or even on the campsite itself!

Review 28：Mosquito net had holes in which was disappointing for the price we paid.

Review 29：We loved the whole 'safari' experience! All very clean and we saw quite a bit of wildlife from our tent. Room was lovely and food was great both for evening meal and breakfast.

Review 30：-The towels are of poor quality and don't dry the body well -The zip of my tent was broken so I was only able to close the front with the velcro. Being a solo female traveler this didn't make me feel safe -I had the impression that the management try to obtain as much money out of you as possible.

Review 31：Lovely and unique set-up with comfortable 'tents'

Review 32：Would have been nice to have had more sri lankan food since the curry from te first day was so delicious. Buffet was very western. Quite expensive

Review 33：Nice clean pool. Staff made a real effort despite that there werent that many people. Breakfast at the river. Best rice and curry!!!

Review 34：river is not recommended for swimming, pool is not very clean (they clean it, but it is dusty and a lot of leaves are falling in)

Review 35：Nice dinner at the pool, great breakfast at the river. Very friendly people. Great safari operator! Very knowledgeable and kind

Review 36：The management was poor - we had to ask about everything including meal times, facilities etc. Standard of food was average to poor. For the price we expected a higher standard of service.

Review 37：The location next to the river was pleasant and the tents were nicely set out amongst the trees. Nice small pool.

Review 38：Wifi slow, powerproblems sonfan did not work whole night. Bloody hot

Review 39：Great concept, Romantic Bbq in the evening They organised a perfect safari for us. Good breakfast. Friendly people.

Review 40：Chatarandra, the manager, is extremely obstructive and unhelpful. His attitude is appalling, and doesn't care about trying to help you - even goes out of his way to make everything more expensive for you. They do not allow you to pay via credit card, and only tell you when it's too late - then expect you to pay for a taxi/tuk tuk to go to a bank to get cash out just to pay them.

Review 41：Fernando the chef is awesome and lovely. He is a great cook, and comes to have a chat which is nice. He is generally very helpful and happy. Lakmal is a good restaurant manager as well.

Review 42：Location is set down back roads with lots of homes, but a tuk tuk ride to get to amenities so with kids, had to eat at the camp ground. Not a great choice and vastly overpriced compared to amazing food had all over Sri Lanka. Would not swim in the river.

Review 43：The actual cabins are fine, clean and spacious. Not too far for drive to safari park.

Review 44：Only thing I would have liked to see was more local Sri Lankan cuisine at the nightly banquet and breakfast.....because it's so delicious

Review 45：Lovely little oasis. Cool tent with verandah overlooking river where locals come to wash and swim. Professional and friendly staff. Close enough to elephant transit centre to ride bicycle via quiet back roads. The romantic candlelit dinner by river.

Review 46：Because of it's location be prepared for a few insects at night time

Review 47：On the river, romantic views for dinner and breakast. Amazing staff really made the stay

Review 48：Given the remote location and lack of other options, food and drink felt a little overpriced compared to meals elsewhere in Sri lanka, didn't take the shine off of the stay though

Review 49：Proximity to nature reserve, style of room, standard of the safari they organised for us, friendly atmosphere.

Review 50：The food at both dinner and breakfast could be greatly improved and the WiFi connection had a convulated login process that rarely seemed to work

Review 51：Location was good by the river and the cabanas were of a higher standard than expected.

Review 52：This place is trying to be high end but they don't have hot water showers, there is no credit card facilities to pay (and also not enough change in local currency when paying by cash!), the food is average and overpriced, plus all the "games" were very limited, the badminton court is also broken so don't count on having that facility.

Review 53：They were helpful in arranging a safari tour, the staff were also lovely but the negatives outweighs the positives

Review 54：The staff were all amazing. Easy to book with their company for Udawalawe safari. The tent/room was great, right by the river with a nice breeze at night. Breakfast and dinner served by the river was great as well.

Review 55：Once one is out as far as Udawalawe, you become a captive audience, and as such, are over-charged for everything. Not much choice but to dine at the hotel, which is expensive. Water, alcohol, etc are all extras, and all much more costly than other places. The wi-fi was out when we were there, which meant making various alternate arrangements ourselves was impossible. Also, while the manager was incredibly nice, he seemed a bit of a "schmoozy" character, and I'm not sure how far we could trust him. We asked him to arrange a ride to Colombo for the next day, which he didn't really do until it was finally time for us to leave. And when he did, the cost was far more than what we had encountered elsewhere. However, since we were there and had no internet, phone, or other options, we ultimately accepted what was a costly and incredibly uncomfortable ride. Lastly, and I take some blame here for not saying anything while on site, but the tent we stayed in had an underlying scent of urine that continued to disturb me. I say I take some blame b/c I'm sure if we had asked to be moved they would have accommodated, but we were already unpacked for only 1 night and so I didn't. Still, that was gross.

Review 56：The aesthetics of the place were great. It is well-maintained and looks very nice. The dinner and breakfast set-up is also very pleasing, and the food was good. The staff was friendly and appeared willing to go out of their way to please. Comfortable room, nice facilities.

Review 57：The WiFi was down in the hole city. A bit expensive for water and beer, so we took a tuk and bought what we needed in the shop.

Review 58：The hotel is just amazing and the area beautiful. Relax by you cabana or go down to the river for a quick dip. Food is good and the staff very helpful.

Review 59：The Manager made the worst change rate ever. Bring local money. Our reservation was lost but after a while our room was ready. Room for your driver was provide with an extra cost that increase when the manager did the check out. After some discussion he made the correct price.

Review 60：The buffet at night is relaxing

Review 61：- bit far away from everything (there is not much to go to anyway) - the dinner BBQ was expensive for what it was

Review 62：+ nice setting near the river + fun to sleep in a "tent" (thing glamping) + good bed + nice staff

Review 63：The internet did not work at all while we there, staff said it was due to the rain yet other hotels had working internet when we visited for dinner. The breakfast and dinner were limited, and much pricier than nearby hotels (we had an expansive buffet at Grand Safari for 1500 rupees) The showers cold - not normally a problem when hot but it rained the whole time, being a girl I can't wash my hair in cold water

Review 64：The cabanas were spacious and a refreshing change from a normal hotel room (unfortunately it rained for the whole 4 days so everything was a bit damp) The staff are very helpful and friendly :) they organised a safari for us and we saw loads of elephants!

Review 65：- No wifi - Bad sandwiches at lunch (all other meals were fantastic though!)

Review 66：- Unique accommodation - Perfect location for Udawalawe National Park - Very clean - Set on the river - Meals served by the river - Friendly staff

Review 67：Really a Safari like experience, next to the flowing river in cabanas with partly tent cloth, solid beds, and a bathroom with good warm shower. Chose Athgira because 20 ride from the Udawalawe National Park. It is part of the Niluka Safari company, so they easily arranged us a Safari at a good price. The staff really made us feel welcome!

Review 68：wifi is not the best, not good connection. with patience it works.

Review 69：the tents are really nice and with the own bathroom you have all you need. nice and quiet location next to a river in the jungle. perfect place to do udawalawe n.p. the manager and all the staff are very friendly and helpful. good restaurant, à la carte is better than the barbecue buffet.

Review 70：Take mozzie spray

Review 71：Staff, helpful, friendly. Organised excellent safari trip. Despite the rain, umbrellas provided, and bbq dinner was sorted outside when the skies cleared

Review 72：Food was mediocre, very overpriced

Review 73：Comfortable

Review 74：Inefficient shower room drainage

Review 75：Excellent swimming-pool and accommodation, good food and great kitchen staff

Review 76：Amazing glamping style accomodation!

Review 77：bed bugs

Review 78：Service

Review 79：The pool!

Review 80：Very unorganised set up, average food, and location is difficult to get to.

Review 81：Staying in a tent was cool.

Review 82：Fantastic food, staff very helpful and friendly

Review 83：Quite pricey for what it is!

Review 84：Swimming pool Food Views of river Safari tour

Review 85：Hard to find

Review 86：Good setting and casual

Review 87：While in the pool, watching the fruit bats flying over on their way to the jungle

Review 88：Very expensive for the quality of accomodation

Review 89：The manager was very unpleasant and seemed to view it as his life mission to take every cent he could off the customers.

Review 90：Nice facilities.

Review 91：It is a special experience to stay in a tent accomodation

Review 92：Great staff very friendly and willing to have a chat. Fabulous position and wished we could have stayed longer.

Review 93：Wifi was really bad here. Food also wasnt great

Review 94：Nice concept and lovely location next to the river.

Review 95：Lovely location on the river. Very nice staff. Lots of birds seen on the river. Great hike across river into rice paddies and Buddhist monastery.

Review 96：leaking shower tolet, no swimming pool

Review 97：location on river, the tent, the quietness

Review 98：- the lodging facilities - the river-side breakfast & dinner

Review 99：Food was only ok and whole place was a bit overpiced

Review 100：Attentive staff

Review 101：The setting, the lunch and dinner areas.

Review 102：Hotel food was too expensive

Review 103：Rooms River views

Review 104：The cabana's have all the facilities you need, nice, clean and simple. Good view from the cabana's at the river. Great bbq, very romantic setting. I think that the manager has made some improvements reading the earlier reviews. Still a bit expensive diner compared to local prices.. Wifi was good and free. Safari to see the elephants was nicely arranged.

Review 105：The food was not good and overpriced for the quality

Review 106：Beautiful luxury tents on the river that were very comfortable and clean. Also ensuite bathroom with hot water. The lodge had a very nice atmosphere

Review 107：Slightly overpriced for what it is.

Review 108：This place is in a great location next to the river with a lot of wildlife about, making it very beautiful. Staff were all very friendly and keen to speak, making it an enjoyable stay. Dinner was alright, nothing spectacular but fair enough. Close to Uda Walawe and staff helped me organise a safari for the next morning.

Review 109：It was very hard to find and it was quite basic. The staff were not particularly friendly or helpful. The evening meal was rather disappointing and very expensive.

Review 110：It was cheaper than most other options around the National Park.

Review 111：A bit tucked away and 120$ a tad expensive

Review 112：Great location next to the river bed with stunning morning breakfast options. Luxury camping style with very helpful staff. They organized our safari driver (who was excellent) for 8000 for 3 people in the luxury seats.

Review 113：Great camping, with amazing rooms. Nice atmosphere at the evning during dinner and very good food. Relaxing place. Staff is very kind and funny. The half day safari was ok.

Review 114：They don't have free wifi although they say they do, but you get 1 hour free and the rest you have to pay 50rp per hour. According booking.com it's free!! I told the manager that I'm not paying for it so he gave me free internet cards. However the internet is really slow!!! The location that they say on this site is not where you will be staying. It's about 3 to 4 km from the elephant transit!! They will bring you to this place by car but when I had to pay (with credit card) I had to pay for my own tuktuk to the restaurant so I could pay them!! No service. The people working there are trying there best, they are friendly!! If you take there safari tour and don't expect the guide/ driver to speak any English or that he can tell you a bit more about the park. Very disappointed I payed 3500rp + entree fee. I pay about $50per night which is really too much.

Review 115：Location, view.

Review 116：Wifi access was poor and you have to pay for it

Review 117：Amazing location next to the river where you might as well refresh yourself after a long safari Campfire and restaurant belongs to the camp Remote in the jungle though provides great comfort

Review 118：Buffet dinner prices were not outlined to us, as they should have been. VERY expensive for what it was, food was poor, badly cooked and limited choice certainly not worth the exorbitant figure they charge. Staff had virtually no English, had difficulty even ordering the most basic things. Breakfast was the worst we had anywhere in Sri Lanka. Transport organised by Athgira was too expensive and in very bad condition with no a/c. We would not recommend to others.

Review 119：Location by the river was pleasant.

Review 120：worst dinner (bbq), don't ever stay for two nights. we left after one even though we paid for two, since there is nothing else to do than safari and that should just take one morning!!!

Review 121：Food decidedly average, despite some ambitious efforts. Need a decent chef! Morning safari vehicles manoeuvred noisily and finally parked right outside our tent at 5.45 every morning which meant a pretty rude awakening. They could provide better, clearer info on attractions in the surrounding area.

Review 122：Peaceful and charming riverside location. Easy access to good safari opportunities in Udawalawe national park. The staff make a great deal if effort and the evening buffet is atmospheric. River swimming lovely. Take a book or some entertainment...remote!

Review 123：The place is small and overpriced and actually not that close to the Uda Walawa park. Dinner buffet is not so good and quite expensive, compared to much richer hotel buffets elsewhere.

Review 124：We chose Athgira for the special safari feel of the tented accomodation and the feel was real enough in the spatious and comfortable tents. Staff are friendly but some speak no English at all. There were suprisingly few insects both outside and inside the tents. The torchlight dinner by the river is romantic.

Review 125：We liked everything about it.

Review 126：Wonderful location at the river. Beautiful garden with restaurant hut. They even move the breakfast buffet down next to the river in the morning. Adventure style tent camp with a good bath room and mosquito nets over comfortable beds, nice terrace, great food, sometimes BBQ evening in the garden. They arrange Safari cars. Very friendly staff.

Review 127：That we could not stay longer

Review 128：If you want a different and fantastic holiday; go to Athgira River Camping. It has a great location; different but fantastic room. Don't go to any other restaurant; the hotels BBQ dinner; you can't find better any other places. Forget about English Breakfast ; try Sri Lanka breakfast ; you will love it :-) use also this company for your Safari; great jeep; driver and guide. All the people from the company gave 1. Class service. Sorry that I only can give max 5 points; only down site was that we could not stay longer. Enjoy your stay; you will love it :-) Kind regards Steen Denmark

Review 129：If location was more near Uda Walawa Park , it will be great!

Review 130：Friendly staff Food was okay

Review 131：A cool place for luxury camping next to the river

Review 132：Location, at the riverside Very good breakfast and dinner