Enjoying the very best family holidays in Sri Lanka means combining a stay in a fairly simple yet very comfortable guest house, followed by tours at the tea estate, a wildlife viewing excursion at Yala, and finally a beach trip along the southern coast.
A number of wonderful guesthouses are available, commonly owned and operated nature retreats along with small reservoirs. There is something for everyone in the tastefully decorated rooms, making it a perfect place for families. Parents can take part in a yoga lesson while their children can explore the estate via a nature trail, cycle, or kayak. The food is mouthwatering and local, and you certainly feel as though you're at home.
Visit the spectacular tea country down south. My stay at the Ceylon Tea Trails was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. This collection of colonial-style bungalows built for British tea estate managers in the days of the Raj enjoys spectacular views of the rolling hills of Sri Lanka. When you board the old steam train in Kandy for the delightful trip to Hatton, it's an incredible experience - especially for families. Enjoy the best family holidays in Sri Lanka by taking this thrilling ride through the undulating hills before being greeted by your cheerful driver from where it will be a short drive to your stunning planter's bungalow.
Spend your days walking from bungalow to bungalow, or take a tour of a factory nestled on both sides of the valley, followed by a tea tasting. It is also possible to arrange rafting on the nearby river for those who are more adventurous. Bungalows come with staff, and the food is excellent. Enjoy one of the best high teas around while the children do justice to the gorgeous swimming pool surrounded by lush green gardens.
Further south, you can camp in the pristine forests of Yala National Park. One of the finest mobile camping companies would deploy a tent with a double bed and en suite facilities. A delicious lunch will be served by the river, where you can watch many birds, or candlelit dinner under a humungous banyan tree while the children enjoy the millions of stars glittering.
As Yala National Park is mostly open parkland, wildlife is easier to observe, especially during the winter dry season between December and March. Yala West is one of the few places in Sri Lanka where spotting a leopard is not difficult, whether it is strolling beside the track or, if luck is on your side, draped elegantly in a tree. There are estimated to be around 35 leopards and 400 wild elephants, as well as wild buffalo, musk deer, mongoose, pangolins, sloth bears, macaques, jackals, and numerous species of bird.
