Mahoora - Yala, Yala, Sri Lanka

Mahoora is a movable tented safari camp concept, pitched at selected locations within Sri Lanka's prime wildlife parks. Rather than a fixed lodge, the camp travels to where the wilderness is most alive — bringing guests into genuine, unhurried contact with nature while surrounding them with considered comfort and an indigenous touch.

The video offers a close look at the Yala National Park setting, where thick, untouched jungle meets the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Here, beside the picturesque villus — the waterholes that define the landscape — a leopard might be spotted sunning itself on a bough, or a lone elephant heard crashing through the trees. The tranquility of this environment is a quality that few places in Sri Lanka can match.

Wildlife of Sri Lanka's Parks

Sri Lanka's wildlife reserves are home to what is known as the big four: Elephant, Leopard, Wild Buffalo, and Sloth Bear. Beyond these headline mammals, the parks teem with deer, sambhur, and a rich variety of birdlife — both endemic species and seasonal migrants. Crocodiles are also found in the lakes throughout the parks.

Other Mahoora Camp Locations

Wilpattu National Park, the largest wildlife reserve in Sri Lanka, is distinguished by its lowland water basins called Villu, which catch and retain rainwater to form shallow lakes. The park supports elephant, leopard, deer, sambhur, and a wide array of birds.

Udawalawe National Park is considered an elephant-lover's dream — the grasslands surrounding Udawalawe Lake are home to huge numbers of these magnificent animals. Wasgamuwa National Park is similarly celebrated for its herds of wild elephants, and its lush forests line the banks of the Mahaweli Ganga, the longest river in Sri Lanka. Leopard, bear, deer, and sambhur are also found within Wasgamuwa.

Sinharaja Rain Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the last untouched tropical rain forest reserve in Sri Lanka. Its name, from Sinhala, translates as Lion King. Trails wind through the forest, crossed by streams, with river Gin Ganga forming the southern boundary and river Kalu Ganga the northern.

Gal Oya National Park was established to conserve the catchment area of the vast Senanayake Samudra reservoir and shelters a wide range of mammals alongside crocodiles and water monitors. Bundala National Park, also on the southern coast, is a sanctuary prized by birdwatchers and ornithologists alike, its scattered reservoirs and proximity to the Indian Ocean making it one of Sri Lanka's foremost birdlife destinations.

Dambana offers a very different experience — it is one of the domains of the Veddah, Sri Lanka's indigenous Aborigines, who continue to retain their traditional identity. A visit provides the opportunity to learn about their way of life and participate in a mock hunting game with the tribe.

The Camp Itself

Each Mahoora luxury camp is carefully arranged and fully furnished, with attention given to every detail of the guest's safety, security, and comfort. The experience is designed to deliver right royal treatment in the wilderness — luxury that does not ask guests to leave the wild behind.