A blast of adventure awaits by the Kelani River at Kitulgala.
The long-established Borderlands River camp takes residence high up the riverbank in this picturesque part of central Sri Lanka. You definitely aren’t coming here for a luxury boutique experience, but something with a little more adventure: canyoning, white water rafting, kayaking, hiking and mountain biking are all on offer. Over just 2 nights you might struggle to fit all these in, so most guests opt for a couple of activities that catch their eye.
The adventure doesn’t stop with the day’s activities. A night in a semi-outdoor, thatched cabin on stilts over the river makes for an immersive experience to remember. There may even be a few ‘visitors’, but you will be safely ensconced in your mosquito nets! The food here is actually rather legendary, particularly the curries. Dine in the long house and catch up with fellow adventurers over a beer.
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With every detail finely tuned by our Asia Specialists.
Location & Highlights
- River swim swimming, with supervision
- Family-friendly
- Mountain bike hire
- Shared bathrooms
Why we love it
“I was reticent about Borderlands at first, but I am convinced. I don’t think the kids would have forgiven me if we hadn’t gone - they haven’t stopped talking about it since we got back!”
Wilderness adventure
Borderlands injects a few high-octane thrills to any itinerary. Imagine leaving a beautiful, genteel Tea Country property and arriving at this river outpost in the jungle. Everyone on the Selective Asia Sri Lanka team loves this property, and many of our clients have put it down as the highlight of their trip. It’s one of those experiences that transcends normal accommodation expectations. Whether you are arriving from a 5-star boutique hotel or elsewhere, this wilderness adventure couldn’t be experienced in any other way. A great bonding experience and as far from home as you can get in Sri Lanka.
What can you do there?
While the original focus is on river activities, including kayaking, rafting, and canyoning, there are some other exciting experiences to be bagged. Hike through small villages and into the surrounding jungle to walk, swim, climb for views and spot birdlife. There’s also a hike to caves where prehistoric remains were discovered.
Family Fun
This is the perfect place for families. Borderlands pride themselves on the quality of the family experience they deliver and we have heard many happy stories from clients to back this up. Safety is taken incredibly seriously, and the activities (which are tailored to experience, comfort and confidence levels) can be as mild as tubing down the river followed by roasting marshmallows on an open fire.
Inspiring experiences and places to stay
Lean into the details of your bespoke Asia trip to discover rare experiences, exceptional hotels, local connections, inspiring conservation and much more…
Start planning your journey here...
With every detail finely tuned by our Asia Specialists.
near Ella
Talk to our expert team...
Every Asia trip we build is finely tuned to fit you, and that all starts with a chat. Let us know what you're hoping to see, feel and experience on your travels, and the places you're dreaming of, and your Asia Specialist will craft a route that includes everything you want and more.
The Selective Asia difference
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Bespoke journeys tailored just for you
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Unparalleled local knowledge and expertise
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Award-winning, nose-to-tail service
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Responsible travel
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24 hour local support
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Our flexi-booking promise and financial clarity
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Personally designed, exceptional journeys across Asia that champion a passion for travel with care for community connections and the planet.
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