Big Game Yala - by Eco Team

The tent was great - it looked like in the photos. The bathroom is basic but everything worked and I had a warm shower after a hot day. The location is quite remote which is what you want for glamping. At night you hear nothing but the sound of the animals, wind etc. very peaceful. But beware it‘s very very hot, there’s a fan in the tent to keep things bearable. I opted for the 3 course dinner, a bit pricey but a nice experience. Everyone sat at tables around a bonfire. I’m a vegetarian and was served a meat free option. (I had a veggie fritter, orange and ginger soup, rice with tofu, veggies and egg plus a chocolate cake dessert. I was happy with my meal. I also did the complimentary night walk which I enjoyed. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Reception staff were also lovely to deal with. There was complimentary water (icecold!!) and tea and coffee. They must have taken other reviews about theft seriously, there are safety boxes for valuables as an option. Nothing went missing during my stay and you get a lock for your tent. I found the atmosphere at camp a bit lacking and was happy I only stayed one night. I booked my own safari and didn’t use the one they organise. There was one staff member I found a bit rude and quite grumpy which slightly tainted my stay.

Our stay in the jungle was one of the most fun and memorable experiences we've ever had! From the moment we arrived, we were completely surrounded by the sounds of nature—right in the heart of the jungle, where every rustle and chirp reminded us just how alive everything around us was. The hosts were incredibly welcoming and made us feel right at home in this wild paradise. Dinner was a beautiful experience—candlelit and cosy. And then came the complimentary night walk... definitely not for the faint-hearted! We spotted a snake, lizards, frogs—you name it. I’m actually pretty scared of these animals (haha), but it was so much fun and I felt completely safe thanks to our fantastic guide, who led us with calm confidence and so much knowledge. The highlight of our stay, without a doubt, was the early morning safari with the BEST safari guide ever—Aruna! From the very first moment we met him, Aruna’s kindness and passion for wildlife absolutely shone through. He made us feel like we were part of something truly special. It was my first safari, and what an introduction—we were incredibly lucky to spot a leopard right in front of us. It was emotional, breathtaking, and something I’ll carry with me forever. Aruna made sure every minute of our safari was unforgettable. They even prepared a takeaway breakfast for us, which we enjoyed in the shade, listening to Aruna share stories about his deep love for animals—especially snakes! His knowledge and passion were inspiring, and chatting with him was such a joy. We’re so grateful for this wild, beautiful, and heartwarming experience. Thank you to everyone who made it so special—we already miss the nature of Sri Lanka and all the animals. We can’t wait to come back! From Marta & Sam

Our stay in Big Game was incredible, it made our time in Yala very interesting and authentic, with huge bonus points for being eco friendly. We loved staying in a tent and felt like we were secluded, sleeping so close to the national park. We also dined with Big Game which was very romantic and the staff couldn't do more for you. I had the vegetarian option (eggs and tofu) which was very tasty and went above expectations. My partner had the meat option and would recommend the chicken as it was beautifully marinated. We were also impressed with the tea, coffee and snacks provided. One thing I was worried about when our stay was approaching was if they had lockers to store valuables, which there was and we had some snacks with us, but we were able to store these with Big Game safely Despite practically being in the national park, we had very good phone signal and 4G in our tent and the communal areas. We also loved the bush walk which was a lovely touch to our stay

The entire team of staff were absolute stars! They messaged us ahead of check in for some final arrangements. Upon arrival, the check-in was quick and the brief was easy to comprehend. We checked in at 3pm and got to do the complementary afternoon bush walk with Malik (and the other kind gentleman I forgot his name). The tent and the surroundings were clean. I loved the sustainability concept. Water is available in a dispenser at reception and the room water bottles are made of glass. Tea and coffee with milk were also free anytime of the day. The playgrounds were nice and big and a couple of kids played cricket freely. They have lockers at the reception to keep your valuables. Again at 9 pm, we went for another complementary bush walk where we saw tarantulas and other nocturnal insects and birds. In the morning, we went for a safari but didn't know that it would extend slightly past the checkout time. The duty manager was kind to us and let us pack our things in no rush. He offered tea and coffee as we waited for our tuktuk which his team ordered. Also..When we checked out, my friend had forgotten her hair clip in the tent and one kind gentleman (one of the housekeeping staff I presume) ran after our tuk tuk to give it to us :) I recommend this place to everyone for an authentic camp experience!!

The bbq cook up was great and generous. The afternoon walk was so informative and interesting. We saw lots of elephants on our safari. Staff were very helpful. Great service always