Sleep in an elephant’s belly. Not an actual elephant, mind you — but a towering, shaggy, two-story likeness located on the shores of the Kumbukkan Oya River in Buttala, Sri Lanka. Part of Kumbuk River Eco Extraordinaire hotel, the Elephant Villa was constructed from wood and straw and stands 40 feet tall, with two spacious bedrooms, a lounge area, an upper deck and a bathroom with hot, running water.
The hotel sits upon the edge of the Yala National Park, close to Udawalawe Elephant Park, a wildlife sanctuary where the landscape includes freely roaming elephants and other wildlife. Meals highlight Sri Lanka’s local cuisine, and there are plenty of ways to explore the 16 acres of riverfront: raft, fish, hike the forest trails, go peacock-spotting, visit the ancient temples of Dematamal Viharaya and Maligawila, or simply slip into the river for a long soak.
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FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
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