For the dinner under the stars meal, it might be nice to have a few options for guests to choose from. As a vegetarian I wouldn't necessarily choose an omelette for dinner while my partner has a mixed grill. :) Just a suggestion though! I was still very very happy!

We were spoilt from the moment we got there to the moment we left. Wonderful meals provided and the atmosphere they have created is just unbelievable. The accommodation is just beautiful, details in the tent/rooms were stylish and thoughtful, such an amazing experience. We loved the bush walk with the ranger and the bush camp dogs joining us. We weren't as lucky as others and didn't manage to see a leopard but we saw a bear and lots of other things. 100% worth it and we'll just have to come back!

Stayed in July 2025

An incredible place to stay but more than that, a real experience. Wonderful people, food, facilities, etc etc. the personal touch was second to none and would definitely recommend.

Stayed in April 2025

The camp location ,windfall decoration and great stuff

Stayed in March 2025

Nothing

Absolutely amazing stay at Makini Bush Camp! A very very magical experience that will live long in the memory! Accommodation, Food, Staff, Experiences were all amazing! Worth every penny….. if your going to Yala then stay here!!! 😊

Stayed in February 2025

Zilch

Beautiful breakfast, the staff went out of their way to make our stay special, we are not used to such spoiling and were made to feel very welcone.

Stayed in January 2025

Nothing!

My expectation's on this stay were blown away I didn’t expect this experience to be as amazing as it was. Starting with the staff they couldn’t do enough for you, you can see there was been training set in the place as they do everything with the most professionalism. The knowledge of the safari staff is amazing they show so much passion to the wildlife and any question you have can be answered. The camp it self was incredible and the set up with dinners in the camp is just beautiful and also the food was one the best meals we had in Sri Lanka! On the full day safari the lunch setting was incredible followed by delicious Sri Lankan food. One evening a staff member took us to the star deck and started informing us on the stars! Amazing! The attention to detail from every aspect was incredible. Couldn’t recommend this stay and experience enough. Will recommend and certainly would love to come back. Thank you!

Stayed in January 2025

The pick-up arrangement was a bit messy as multiple staff contacted me but also our driver, and we ended up not talking to the right person. But it hot sorted in the end. The bathroom was all flooded when we took a shower as water could go anywhere

The experience from pick-up, chexk-in to the room. We had stayed at another safari tent resort but this one was so much better and more comfortable. The small pool was a big plus, and breakfast the best we had on our trip.

Stayed in January 2025

Nothing

We were warmly welcomed from the very start by the incredible team. They did everything they could to give us a memorable stay, from the delicious food (best we had in Sri Lanka and very generous portions), the impeccable service, informative safari and excellent facilities and special touches (star gazing from the impressive viewing platform). Communication was excellent and we really felt so well looked after and had such a special time at Makini Bush Camp. We were so sad to leave and would definitely come back and would recommend to anymore!

Stayed in November 2024

The staff are amazing, the guides superb, the cabins comfortable.

Stayed in March 2024

Staff was very accommodating and knowledgeable

Stayed in February 2024

Our family recently visited Makini Bush Camp and we had an amazing time. The staff's kindness and helpfulness made our stay truly special. We were thrilled to witness incredible wildlife sightings, including graceful elephants, playful monkeys, and colorful birds. And the highlight of our trip was a breathtaking leopard sighting that left us in awe. The service provided was exceptional, and the staff went out of their way to engage our children. The cozy tented chalet allowed us to connect with nature while enjoying the comforts of a clean and well-maintained accommodation. We recommend Makini for families seeking a remarkable safari adventure with top-notch service and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Stayed in May 2023

If you're seeking a peaceful and secluded getaway in Yala, Sri Lanka, Makini Bush Camp is the ideal place to stay. The camp is beautifully designed, featuring comfortable and spacious tents that blend seamlessly into the surrounding environment. Each tent is well-appointed with all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay, including en-suite open bathrooms and a private plunge pool. I highly recommend this gem of a property to anyone looking for an adventurous holiday in a luxurious setting.

Stayed in April 2023

Unfortunately, the cloudy evening put a damper on what could have been a truly romantic dining experience next to the bonfire. The inability to see the stars was a bit disappointing, as it would have added to the overall ambiance of the evening.

Staying at Makini was an unforgettable experience for us! Not only did we have the incredible luck of spotting a leopard with cubs and a sloth bear during our safari, but the food served at the camp was simply out of this world. The variety of the cuisine was impressive, and the chefs' skill in preparing everything from spicy curries to various local breads (they were called rotis, I think) and starch-based items like milk rice, was nothing short of exceptional. We also loved trying the herbal beverages, which were not only delicious but also had a variety of health benefits. Throughout our stay, we were impressed by the high level of attention to detail and care put into the facilities, from the comfortable beds to the open bathrooms, the plunge pool (OMG!) and a relaxing dining area. The staff were also incredibly attentive and went above and beyond to ensure that our stay was enjoyable. The treehouse was a lovely add-on, with stunning views of the surrounding forest and wildlife. The mud hut in their farming area was also a great experience, with a unique and traditional design that added to the overall authenticity of our stay. We loved the sweet coconut pancakes that were served there! I can't recommend this camp highly enough for anyone looking for an all-around amazing experience in the heart of Sri Lanka's beautiful wilderness.

Stayed in April 2023

While the Sri Lankan food at the camp was outstanding, I found the western cuisine to be a bit lackluster. The dishes were fairly basic and lacked the same level of complexity and depth of flavor as the local cuisine. However, I understand that the focus of the camp is on providing an authentic Sri Lankan experience, so it's not surprising that the western food would not be as impressive.

My wife and I had an absolutely unforgettable experience at Makini bushcamp in Yala! The safari and bush walk were the clear highlights of our stay. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and took us on exciting and informative tours of the surrounding wildlife. I saw a variety of animals, including a leopard sprawled across the road, a tusker (my new found terminology after spending time with the guides :)), mud-bathing buffaloes, and lots of spotted deer, up close and personal. The bush walk was equally amazing, as we got to explore the bush and its various plant and animal species on foot. The guides were excellent at pointing out interesting facts and details about the environment, making the experience all the more enriching. Aside from the safari and bush walk, the camp itself was comfortable and well-maintained, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. I highly recommend Makini bushcamp to anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure immersed in the tranquility of the wilderness.

Stayed in April 2023

The camp is beautifully located just outside the Yala national park. Tents were cosy and safe. The staff was welcoming and so kind to us. Food was delicious, a lot of coconut was used. Guided safari and the bushwalk were the highlight of our stay. We learnt a lot about animals and saw some rare night birds as well. Thank you Makini for all the amazing memories. Wish you the best!

Stayed in April 2023

Ciao! We recently had the pleasure of staying at Makini Bush Camp and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience. The camp's location in the midst of the Yala wilderness was absolutely breathtaking. As an traveler who loves nature and adventure, Makini was perfect for me. The tented chalets were very comfortable and the private plunge pool was just what I needed to relax after a long day of exploring. The food was delicious, and I especially enjoyed the traditional Sri Lankan dishes served at the camp. But what we loved most about Makini was the experiences they offered. The guided safaris were amazing, and I was lucky enough to see some rare bird species, as well as elephants and leopards in their natural habitat. The staff at Makini were incredibly friendly and helpful, and they went out of their way to ensure that we had a memorable and enjoyable stay. I would highly recommend Makini Bush Camp to anyone looking for a unique and authentic nature experience. Grazie mille, Makini, for an amazing adventure!

Stayed in April 2023

friendly staff, Unique experience and mouth watering traditional Sri Lankan cuisines.

Stayed in April 2023

Iam writing because property don’t not worth 490$. this camp located in kataragama, There are very few options for food lunch and dinner. They would provide food which is available in camp. Towels are dirty, we have to ask for amenities like slippers, dental kit…. Frog found in bathroom, spiders entered room and inside our luggage. We have to ask for everything even to get hot water tab on shower.

Located in jungle

Stayed in August 2025

I have provided real time feedback to the staff. I'm sure of them working on those.

Not worth the room rent they're charging because it isn't inclusive of the meals (they charged 40$ per person per meal) and these meals have barely any veg options, it's not even a handful of them. Breakfast spread for vegetarians is very minimal.

Stayed in December 2024

Pricing transparency is bad. You book the night for 350$ but then of course you need to consume there (due to the remote location) and they leverage this fact (40$ pp for a very basic lunch that would cost 5$ elsewhere in Sri Lanka, 15$ for drinks - prices are not communicated). Then 12.5% random service fee. Hence you end up at 650$+. If you are willing to spend this amount, the experience can be worth it. However, it feels like a scam.

Amazing location in the middle of the wilderness. Very friendly staff. Cute and convenient tent. Nice welcome area.

Stayed in January 2025

The manager was disturbing us all the time about booking multiple safaris and staying one more night to "relax". one of us was sick with dengue fever and they called a doctor to the hotel even though we said we'd go to the hospital and were told that we wouldn't be charged a large amount since the owners know the doctor. We were charged 60$ for a 10 minute consult that didn't tell us more than what we knew and pharmaceuticals that were useless for the fever. We reserved dinner and paid 70$ for the both of us to eat a little bit of chicken, rice flour and filtered water. Definitely not worth the value, spend your money somewhere else. The manager and owners show no values in taking advantage of someone who is very sick. If you want a luxurious and peaceful experience, do not come here since the tranquility of the customers is not respected, specially by the manager.

The tents were clean and comfortable.

Stayed in April 2023

There are no comments available for this review

Stayed in January 2024