FAQ

We take pleasure in pampering our guests as we understand that with the rush of packing for a holiday they may forget some essential items. Therefore we offer a range of complimentary toiletries including shower gel, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.

We currently provide laundry service for Elite & Premium Explorer by Mahoora and is a charged service available for urgent instances only.

We advise you to always have a pair of trainers for nature walks and night walks. You may also carry flip flops or a pair of sandals (that can sustain hard rocky ground) for other times.

Ours is a mobile tented safari camp and we do not have facilities for safe keeping. We encourage our guests to minimise carrying valuable items. In the event that you do carry any, we advise that you keep such items with you at all times.

We will be able to assist based on the requirement. However, please note we are 20-30 minutes away from retail stores and combine all purchases at the same time to maximise the trip.

We do not provide driver accommodation at the campsites. However, we are able to assist you in arranging accommodation at a minimal cost.

We do not have Christmas and New Year supplements.

Please refer to the link given below for a detailed description of our efforts on environmental sustainability:

You are welcome to tip our staff at your discretion. Each campsite will have a tip box to which you can contribute. It’s very much appreciated if you do not tip the staff individually other than your safari driver and the guide.

Check-in is at 12.30 pm and check-out is at 11.00 am

YES. But however, this is limited to two-time slots which are from 10.00 AM to 01.00 PM and from 06.30 PM to 10.30 PM. We kindly request that you limit your usage during these times so that all guests can have access to the WIFI service.

Our Camp is very much child friendly. We provide items such as cots based on prior request. We have specialised menus for children. We have a number of activities for children including: nature walks, treasure hunts, painting, reading and many opportunities to learn and explore the wilderness. Family Safaris are designed to make a family’s stay a memorable and exciting experience.

We can accommodate up to 5 people in a family tent.

Mahoora Elite Tent

Mahoora Elite Tent can hold a maximum of 3 additional beds.

One in the main bedroom tent and two others in the front extension (living area).

Mahoora Premium Tent

The tent can hold one extra bed.

We do not encourage our guests to keep food of any sort including packed/ canned items as these may attract insects, rodents, etc., into the tented accommodation. However we are able to assist our guests by keeping the food items in our camp kitchen refrigerator.

Yes we do have a Kids’ Menu that is specially designed for young children. Please request at the Campsite or let us know in advance while booking.

Our camps are located on the borders of the National Parks and in the midst of wildlife. Naturally, you will be living amongst many bird species, grey langurs, etc., Occasionally, the larger species such as elephants, leopards, have been spotted on the borders. Our staff is experienced and trained to handle such situations in the wild.

Malaria was formerly a serious problem, but the World Health Organisation declared Sri Lanka malaria-free in 2016. Doctors presently advise that antimalarial drugs are not necessary.

It is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Since there is no vaccine against dengue, avoiding mosquito bites is the only means of prevention.

More coverage of the body (long length and long sleeved clothing) does help curtail getting stung by mosquitoes. You may bring your own insect repellents. There are local insect repellents available in supermarkets and pharmacies which can all be bought as over the counter products. The locally available ayurvedic balms and Citronella oil are quite effective in taking the itch out of mosquito bites and preventing them.

Members of our staff are trained in providing first aid. We have first aid kits on site and have organised stand by transport to medical facilities including hospitals closest to the location.

We provide a pick up point and a pick up time to the guests; where we pick them from (the given location); and drive them to the Campsites. We follow the same procedure by dropping our guests on departure to the assigned location. This is part of the service we provide for all our guests.

We allow visitors to meet guests at the campsite in the event they are hosting them for a meal. However, this is not a common occurrence. We encourage our guests to check with the Camp Manager prior to inviting anyone, as we have limited facilities to accommodate visitors.

We are happy to provide an additional snack / Tea & Coffee or any other beverage whenever you wish to.

Guests can use public transport to reach specific locations from where a tuktuk could be used to reach the pick up point. Public transport may include buses and trains - where applicable. Note : Public transport in Sri Lanka is not always reliable in terms of timing.

Type of transport: Bus

Yala: Arrival at Kataragama Main bus stand - adjoining Perera & Sons (5.2 km/10-minute drive to the Campsite)

Udawalawe: Arrival at 17 ⅕ mile post (28 km mile post) on Thanamalawila - Udawalawe road closer to the signboard for Agunukolapelessa School written in the vernacular language. (4.5 km/ 8 minute drive to the Campsite from the School)

Wilpattu: Arrival at Wilpattu junction closer to the Leopard Den Hotel (2.5 km/ 5 minute drive to the Campsite from the junction)

Train - nearest train stations

Yala: Matara station ( 145 km/ 3 hour drive from the station to the Campsite) and Ella station (102 km/ 2 hour drive from the station to the Campsite)

Udawalawe: Matara station (125 km/ 2 ½ hours drive from the station to the Campsite and Ella station (82 km/ 2 hour drive from the station to the Campsite)

Wilpattu: Puttalam station (47 km/ 1 hour drive from the station to the Campsite)

We can arrange transfers to & from other locations. Please note that this is a charged service and please contact us with your requirements.

Yala

From the Airport via southern expressway: 4 ½ - 5 hours (310 km)

From Colombo via southern expressway: 3 ½ - 4 hours (283 km)

Udawalawe

From the Airport via southern expressway: 4 - 4 ½ (291 km)

From Colombo via southern expressway: 3 - 3 ½ hours (264 km)

Wilpattu

From the Airport: 3 ½ - 4 hours (155 km)

From Colombo: 4 - 4 ½ hours (183 km)

Note: travel time may change based on peak traffic hours

Morning Safaris begin at 5.30 a.m. and return to the campsite is at 10.00 a.m., generally lasting just over 4 hrs. Evening Safaris begin at 2.30 p.m. and return to the campsite is at 6.30 p.m, generally lasting just about 4 hrs. Full day safaris begin at 5.30 am and return to the campsite is at 6.30 p.m generally lasting just about 12 hrs.

Some of our guests are ardent, professional photographers who carry numerous small to large equipment. If you have a special requirement such as bean bags etc., please let us know in advance, we are happy to customise your photography safari.

Mahoora Elite guests will always enjoy a private jeep with a designated Safari Guide. All the other packages guests are given shared jeeps. There are 6 seats [ all window ] in each jeep including the Safari Guide’s seat.

Attire of earthly coloured garments are recommended during the Safari. Please carry sunscreen, insect repellent creams etc. Sri Lanka’s weather is affected by many factors like depressions in the Indian Ocean. The weather can change suddenly and unexpectedly.

Our guides (naturalists) speak English.

Yala National Park

It is about a 15-20 minute ride from the Campsite through a nature reserve which is like a mini Safari by itself.

Udawalawe National Park

It is about a 20 - 30 minute drive from the Campsite.

Wilpattu National Park

It is about a 10 minute drive from the Campsite.

There are a number of other activities including: cookery lessons, border walks, community engagements, night walks / night drives and painting.

We are able to customise our menu based on your requirement. We provide vegetarian and non vegetarian items on the menu. We request our guests to provide their requirements in advance, at least 1-2 days prior to their arrival, in order to accommodate the request. We can provide vegan meals with prior notification by the guest.

We are able to customise our menu based on your requirement. However we request our guests to give us adequate notice of such special requirements.

We are able to obtain meat items from recognised suppliers that are Halal/Kosher certified provided if they are requested in advance.

We do not encourage our guests to keep food of any sort including packed/ canned items as these may attract insects, rodents, etc., into the tented accommodation. However we are able to assist our guests by keeping the food items in our camp kitchen refrigerator.

Yes we do have Kids’ Menu that is specially designed for young children. Please request at the campsite or let us know in advance while booking.

We offer customised menus that are especially designed keeping in mind your food preferences. Our menus boast of both Local and Continental cuisine.

Block 1 of Yala National Park is closed during the dry season - generally in September every year. However, there are other options/ blocks where guests can enjoy the Safaris. Mahoora Yala remains open throughout the year.

There are mild variations in weather. Rainy season is experienced from November to January, when it is also cooler in temperature. Early mornings and nights can be chilly during this season (minimum temperature: 18‎°C‎). Dry and warm weather generally prevail during the rest of the year, under sunny and windy conditions.

Yala National Park boasts of good sightings throughout the year.

It stays open throughout the year.

You will experience showers from time to time from April to May and again from November to January when it is also cooler in temperature. Early mornings and nights can be chilly during this season (minimum temperature: 22 to 24‎°C‎). Dry and warm weather generally prevail during the rest of the year, under sunny and windy conditions.

Udawalawe National Park boasts of a guaranteed Elephant sighting throughout the year.

It stays open throughout the year.

The monsoon season is experienced in the month of April and again from September to January with showers from time to time and it is also cooler in temperature. Early mornings and nights can be chilly during this season (minimum temperature: 22 to 24‎°C‎). Dry and warm weather generally prevail during the rest of the year, under sunny and windy conditions.

Wilpattu National Park boasts of good sightings throughout the year.