Nature lovers find tranquility at this peaceful haven near Wilpattu National Park, where guests can explore the nearby reserve or simply relax and unwind.
The Sanctuary provides a serene escape with its beautiful garden and library. Travelers can start their day with local cuisine for breakfast, relax on the terrace, and stay connected with in-room WiFi. The multilingual staff receives positive reviews from visitors.
Number 1050, 12th Mile Post, Wanathavilluwa, NW, 61306
What's nearby
Wilpattu National Park
21 min drive - 11.0 km
Wanathiwilliwa Reservoir
5 min walk - 0.4 km
Base Hospital Puttalam
30 min drive - 26.1 km
About this property
The Sanctuary
Guest house near Wilpattu National Park
A terrace, a garden and a library are just a few of the amenities provided at The Sanctuary. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
Other perks include:
Free self-parking
Local cuisine breakfast (surcharge), multilingual staff and tour/ticket information
Outdoor furniture and a nature reserve
Room features
All rooms are individually furnished, and offer comforts such as laptop-friendly workspaces, as well as thoughtful touches such as free WiFi and desk chairs.
More amenities include:
Free tea bags/instant coffee and electric kettles
Bathrooms with rainfall showers and free toiletries
Wardrobes/cupboards, ceiling fans and housekeeping
Daily local cuisine breakfast available 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM for a fee: LKR 800 to 1,500 per person
Things to do
Library
Conveniences
Guidebooks
Limited-hour front desk
Guest services
Change of bedsheets (on request)
Change of towels on request
Housekeeping on request
Multilingual staff
Tour and ticket assistance
Outdoors
Garden
In a nature reserve
Outdoor furniture
Terrace
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
6 steps to reach entrance
Handrails in stairways (91 centimetre high)
No lift
Tile flooring in room
More
Communal living room
Designated smoking areas
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Blackout drapes
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Private bathroom
Rainfall showerhead
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Food and drink
Electric kettle
Free bottled water
Restaurant dining guides
Tea bags/instant coffee
More
Ceiling fan
Desk
Desk chair
Individual decor
Individual furnishings
Laptop workspace
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Guests will receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
No pets or service animals allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for LKR 5000.0 per day.
Cots (infant beds) are not available
Payment types at the property
Important information
Optional extras
Fee for local cuisine breakfast: approximately LKR 800 to 1500 per person
Rollaway bed fee: LKR 5000.0 per day
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property
Property is also known as
The Sanctuary Guesthouse
The Sanctuary Wanathavilluwa
The Sanctuary Guesthouse Wanathavilluwa
Frequently asked questions
Is The Sanctuary pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at The Sanctuary?
As of 8 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Sanctuary on 9 Mar 2026 start from RM261, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at The Sanctuary?
Self-parking is free at this property.
What time is check-in at The Sanctuary?
Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM. After-hours check-in is not available.
What time is check-out at The Sanctuary?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is The Sanctuary located?
Situated in a rural location, this guesthouse is 6.2 mi (10.1 km) from Wilpattu National Park.
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on selected room rates because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
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Reviews
The Sanctuary Reviews
10
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
The staff were really friendly, amazing food and really gorgeous place. They took us on a wildlife tour where we saw otters and loris all on their grounds!
There is not much in the local area so you need to keep this in mind if planning to visit a shop or restaurant during your stay, it’s not really possible
The Sanctuary is hidden gem in the
Wanathavillu town. The accommodation was very comfortable and the rooms spacious. The grounds have been imaginatively re-wilded and is now a haven for many species of birds and mammals.
We were looked after very well by Dula and Achini and nothing was too much for them to ensure we enjoyed our stay there. The food was delicious, prepared and beautifully presented by Dinesha.
We were taken on a night walking tour of the property and were thrilled to have a rare sighting of a Slender Loris, a roosting green snake and several roosting birds. During our brief stay at the Sanctuary we also saw the shy and secretive Mouse Deer, a mongoose and her baby and many varieties of birds.
Will definitely return for a longer stay and would highly recommend this property to our overseas friends.
HR
Solo traveller
I visited the Sanctuary on the recommendation of a friend and thoroughly enjoyed my brief stay there.
Great care and much thought has been given to the furnishings of the house. It has an extensive collection of books on wildlife and birds and I could have spent many hours browsing this collection.
The food was delicious and I was looked after very well by Dula and his team.
There is a good choice of excursions on offer, but I chose a half day tour to the Wilpattu National Park which is only about 30 minutes drive from the Sanctuary. Dula and his wife, Achini were my guides and they took a great deal of trouble to ensure that I had a memorable experience. We were fortunate to see leopard, elephants, sea eagles and much more.
I will definitely return on my next visit to Sri Lanka.
We stayed for two nights and planned a boat excursion on the Puttalam lagoon as well as a safari in Wilpattu National Park. The Sanctuary is located a convenient 14km from the park and a similar distance from the lagoon. The team arranged every single detail of our trip, and it was absolutely wonderful. From the delicious welcome drink, to the exceptionally tasty food, and superb excursions with the most well trained guides we had the holiday of a lifetime. The property itself is probably the best in Wilpattu and also on the island, with spacious, authentically decorated rooms. Every single little detail from the little wooden electrical switches to the well thought out living and dining spaces and incredibly beautiful bathrooms made the stay a real pleasure. The team led by Dula catered to our every need and anticipated everything in advance. They took us on walks around the property and were able to let us know when there were great bird sightings, especially a couple of barbots one more morning. The food was so good and so tasty, authentic, delicious Sri Lanka dishes like milk rice, hoppers and the most delicious pork curry on arrival made our food loving family's stay even more delightful. The highlight of the trip was the safari arranged by the team, where we saw multiple leopard, samar, deer and even an elephant in musth! The property has one of the best stocked wildlife libraries on the island and any wildlife and animal enthusiast will be inspired!