Sinharaja Vini Villa

The room was great, looked to be recently renovated, very clean better than photos show. River view from room and dining area was fantastic with lots of birds and other wildlife to watch. Vini and his family were extremely helpful, attentive and did a fantastic job. Vini picked us up from Hiriketya, took us on a morning tour through the forest, his son took us on an afternoon tour. All was great. We ventured out to go for a night spotlight and Vini asked to come along too to help spot wildlife. We had a great stay and would stay longer next time (minimum 3 nights).

Some of the food was a bit spicy for us but was generous portions and no complaints otherwise.

We liked the setting of the property alongside the river and close to the forest reserve. There were walks in the surroundings that you could do independently but there were also a couple of guided walks, including one for the ticketed reserve where we saw a variety of birds and reptiles. The family were extremely friendly and helpful and the food was excellent.

Nothing, everything was excelllent.

Wow, what a location! Right on the river and surrounded by birds, especially chestnut headed bee eaters. Also got a nice sighting of a Crimson-backed flameback pecking at a tree. Vini is a great host, very friendly and helpful. There were free night walks, and he also took me on morning birding walks because I told him I was interested in birdwatching. The food was fantastic and the portions are very generous. It's a family business and everyone was so kind and sweet. I stayed 2 nights but wish I had an extra night, it's such a nice place to relax. One point to note - the tours generally start after breakfast around 8:30 or later. This is way too late, ask if you can have an early breakfast and leave at 7. That's what I did in my last visit and I saw more birds.

The guide did not speak good English, this was a shame as he wasn't able to communicate about the wildlife in the forest. Ask about this before your walk, maybe there are other guides.

Very friendly owner and his family, they help you with everything. The room was amazing, very comfortable. Food was great. Location is the best, right outside the Forest Reserve, next to a river with lots of beautiful birds. The tour is great too!

I think you might need your own transportation because it might be difficult to reach if you travel by public transport. For us this was no problem because we had a rented tuktuk

Vini and his family were very friendly and accommodating. The food was fantastic and plentiful. The area is wonderful for wildlife. We had a great time.

All of the people working at the Villa, including Vini, are very nice, friendly, and helpful. It is a family effort and all are hard working. The continental breakfast was very good although there was only white bread offered. Many people now go for dark bread but I don't know if it is offered in more remote areas of the country. Dinner was also very good but portion sizes were huge. Our first night. we had a chicken fried rice for two that could easily have fed 6 people even though I am a big eater. I worried that the food would be thrown away. The setting of Vini Villa is beautiful and as you walk along footpaths, you are in the jungle teeming with wildlife, with bird calls that leave indelible impressions on the brain. There are also lots of waterfalls close by that you can swim in and you pass by small tea plantations. We took a 3-hour guided tour for just the two of us and found it most useful as these park rangers have eagle eyes that see things, 80% of which we would have missed had we been walking on our own. Vini organized this for us as he was unable to take us himself. Thank you.

Two of the four rooms had AC but ours did not! I don't know whether it was an oversight on my part when I made the booking. Back home, we like to sleep in a room at 17-18C (62-64F) and the 27C plus very high humidity made it stifling hot and uncomfortable. We are an older couple and perhaps do not sleep as well as younger visitors. There was a fan in our room but it had not been dusted in a long time and my wife gets a stuffed up nose in a dusty environment... So our first night was decidedly uncomfortable and the bed was also squeaky. The bathroom also had a smell to it, most likely due to the lack of exhaust fan, not allowing for the floor in the shower area to dry overnight. I encouraged Vini to fix these two defects and I am sure that he will do so in the near future. After informing him of the dust on the fan the next morning (we had arrived late in the evening), he immediately cleaned it up and provide us with a second fan, which provided more aeration and thus a better sleep the second night. Having said all these negative things, we would nonetheless stay at this property again as long as we were certain to have air conditioning (AC).

Amazing and peaceful place in the middle of Rain Forest. Clean room and delicious meal from Vini's wife. Vini is very friendly and kind man. He arrange for us 7 hours tour to the viewpoint of Sinharaja Rain Forest and many waterfalls. 100% recommended.

We really enjoyed our stay at Sinharaja Vini Villa. The location is beautiful next to the river and close to Sinharaja Forrest reserve. It's so peaceful, nice place to relax. The hosts are such a lovely family, very welcoming. All the family are involved in running the homestay. We also had dinner there, the portions are generous, and also beautiful fresh fruit juices. To walk in Sinharaja forest you need a guide as paths are not clearly marked, our host arranged a guide for the day hike, and was very kind as we arrived back late (we took ages with taking photos) and we were able to shower and freshen up, and had complimentary fruit juice before our onward journey. Our shoes got really muddy, and our host kindly washed them, and dried them for us. Also the accommodation can arrange you transport with good safe drivers. Would certainly recommend staying there, especially if you love a quiet time, nature and Forrest.

We like everything. Its a little difficult to get to, but so worth the journey, and away from the main tourist route, which I loved. Well worth it, if I could give higher than 10 for the review I would do.

Family property in the middle of the rainforest. Vini’s family is very caring and always ready to help. The food is amazing, proper local food cooked by Vinis wife. Family environment, relaxed and calm. The dinner was very affordable (and delicious) and I was even given a Sinhala class by one of Vini’s daughters. We had a very good night of sleep following by an early tour of the rain forest. Very welcoming family and really this place made me more humble towards the little things in life

The road there can be tricky, the longest ride any car ok, but the shorter way only bike or tuk tuk can make it.

Incredible location, great for bird watching. Vini and family excellent hosts. Food was delicious and huge portions!