Sir John's Bungalow, Knuckles World Heritage Nature Reserve, Sri Lanka

Offering sweeping vistas of the North Eastern Knuckles mountain range, an area that is celebrated for its striking peaks, pristine waterways, bewitching cloud forests, and diverse flora and fauna, Sir John’s Bungalow is situated at the threshold of a land before time.

Built by the British during the colonial era as a residence for the Superintendent of the 1,300 acre Laggala tea estate, the Bungalow was once the holiday home of Sir John Kotalawala, the third Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. As the area is within the Knuckles conservation zone tea cultivation was abandoned thirty years ago allowing the jungle to reclaim its bounty.

The planter's misfortune has thus become a dream come true for trekkers, wildlife enthusiasts, and all seekers of the sublime. During the dry months of June to September, elephants from the plains of the nearby Wasgamuwa National Park roam the estate in search of water and food. Wild buffaloes are in abundance, with leopards and fishing cats making occasional nocturnal visits, and the sounds of the timid barking deer echoing in the surrounding forest.

Committed to an ethos of environmentally sustainable hospitality, Sir John’s Bungalow is carbon-neutral, harnessing solar energy for electricity and recycling all waste matter. 
 Accommodation

Tastefully appointed with modern conveniences, Sir John’s Bungalow also retains its old-world charms and comforts, including roaring fireplaces in the living and dining rooms. All bedrooms feature king-sized beds, elegant teak floors, and attached bathrooms with hot water showers. Both the Riverstone suite and Sir John's suite have four-legged cast iron bathtubs that can be filled for a long, relaxing soak.


Rooms

Gonamade standard room : Double (17' x 11') which opens out to the veranda.

Laggala standard room : Triple (17’ x 15') opens out the verendah which can be expanded to accommodate four guests by placing an extra bed.

Wasgamuwa standard room: Triple (17' x 15') which can be expanded to accommodate four guests by placing an extra bed.

Riverston Suite: Triple room (19 'x 15') with a window seat (6' x 2'6") which can be converted into a night bed.

Sir John's Suite: Two double beds (23' x 15') with a window seat (6' x 2'6") which can be converted into a night bed.


Facilities

The facilities at Sir John’s Bungalow allow you to explore the majesty of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful backyard. The drawing room and veranda overlooking the gardens have an unrestricted view of the North Eastern plains, and offer plenty of spaces to relax and unwind. A natural rock pool in the landscape garden, fed by a burbling mountain spring, beckons bathers with crystal-clear waters. The sprawling 5-acre garden, with its carefully preserved tea bushes, is perfect for morning walks or for children to romp.

Flat screen TVs, with satellite channels and a DVD player, have been installed in both the Riverston suites and Sir John’s suite, giving guests an array of entertainment options. Those who are keen on continuing to journey, albeit in the comfort of a plush armchair, can leaf through a well-stocked library of fascinating books on old Ceylon. A wide selection of board games is also available. Guests who wish to try and capture the Bungalow’s inimitable views in painted form can request an easel, canvas, and oil paints for a nominal amount. Our delicious meals can be enjoyed by guests in the main dining room, which has a fourteen-seater dining table set by a fireplace, or in the smaller private dining room, the veranda, or the garden beside the stream.

Cuisine

At Sir John’s Bungalow, local is always the focal point of our menus. Passionate about both Sri Lankan and Western cuisine, Executive Chef Manoharan insists on using fresh herbs and vegetables from our home garden and purchases other produce from Rattota town daily. He will discuss your meals in advance and will endeavor to satisfy individual requirements, such as vegetarian meals or low sodium dishes.


Excursions

For in-house guests on full board basis, we organize three trekking excursions and a mountain bike ride through stunning scenery, where you can view birds, insects, and plants that are endemic to the Knuckles Conservation Area.

Trek One: A 45 minute to one hour unguided trek along the horse-riding trail built by the British on the one thousand acre estate.

Trek Two: A three hour, four kilometer trek through the charming, rustic village of Rathkinda in the Knuckles valley, which will take you along terraced paddy fields and irrigation waterways, and conclude with a refreshing river bath and a hearty picnic lunch.
Cost per guest: US$ 15 (minimum of two guests)

Trek Three: A four hour, seven kilometer trek which extends Trek Two to include a hike through lush montane forest and a five hundred meter climb up the Manigala mountain range. Unbeatable 360 degree views of the Knuckles mountain range.
Cost per guest (including park entrance ticket): US$ 30 (minimum of two guests)

Mountain bike downhill ride: A 45 minute to one hour cycle on paved roads from the Bungalow to the villages of Rathkinda followed by a river bath and a picnic lunch. For the extra-energetic, there is an optional uphill climb back to the Bungalow.
Cost per guest: US$ 10(minimum of two guest)

Wild Life 4WD Safari- Half day excursion to Wasgamuwa National Park famous for sloth bear, commencing from the Bungalow after lunch at 1.30 pm with a three hour drive through the Park.US $ 100 for two guests.

So what are you waiting for? Come enjoy Sir John's Bungalow!