On the fringes of Yala National Park, Uga Chena Huts are well off the beaten path. The area is dedicated to preserving local nature and wildlife, so each camouflaged hut blends seamlessly into the environment. As well as overlooking the beach – and all the native wildlife it attracts – there’s tropical jungle on one side and a saline lake on the other where flamingos and storks often wade in the shallows. This unspoilt wilderness is connected to the rest of the world via a specially made road that connects the park with the Tissamaharama-Yala highway.

Top of the list of things to do at Uga Chena Huts is to explore Yala National Park. The park has the highest density of leopards in the world, as well as elephants, crocodiles, snakes and a flurry of birds that migrate here for the winter. The hotel organise tours of the park at times best suited to catch a glimpse of the wildlife, and bush walks are available at dawn and dusk. You can also spend time on the water with a boat trip to see the Grand and Little Basses reefs, where whales and dolphins congregate.

On days when you want to take it easy, Uga Chena Huts do have alternatives to wildlife spotting.

There’s a large swimming pool encircled by sun loungers, while the poolside bar is concealed behind a tumbling waterfall. Uga Spa is another relaxing port of call, offering a range of beauty and wellness treatments. The extensive therapy menu includes Balinese massages, biorhythm body treatments, sun soother body wraps and Hydravance facials.