Perched on a hilltop near Ahangama, Tekanda Lodge is a peaceful jungle retreat within a private ten-acre estate. The exclusive six-bedroom lodge offers panoramic views of Koggala Lake and the distant Indian Ocean. Southern Sri Lanka’s beaches are only a short drive away.
Local artisans handcrafted the property using natural materials. An emerald infinity pool overlooks organic tea, cinnamon, coconut plantations, and the surrounding forest.
Tekanda Lodge blends harmoniously into its natural setting and follows a low-impact approach to hospitality. Guests can reconnect with nature, experience local culture, and support meaningful community projects. The lodge suits mindful travelers seeking relaxation, wellness, cultural experiences, and outdoor adventure.
Their story
Owners Richard and Charlie created Tekanda Lodge as a welcoming retreat where guests could feel part of the “Tekanda family.” The property was once an abandoned tea and coconut estate with a derelict shed and an old bell. A dedicated local team restored the estate and developed the lodge over several years.
Construction finished in June 2022 during Sri Lanka’s economic and political crisis. The experience inspired the owners to establish the Tekanda Foundation.
The foundation opened the Gamata Athak rural empowerment centre in October 2023. It also launched the Tekanda Girls Cricket Academy in January 2023. These initiatives connect the lodge’s hospitality vision with long-term community development. Read more about them.
Sustainability actions
Lowest impact construction and operation
- The lodge is built using a high-quality, low-impact local design featuring natural stone, wood, and traditional Sri Lankan iluk thatch for the roofs.
- Designed to blend seamlessly into the jungle, the property features beautiful handmade furniture throughout.
- Sustainable, resource-conscious details on the estate include well water filtered for guest use, drainage terraces crafted from coconut husks, and steps constructed from cinnamon-harvest offcuts.
Highest level of energy efficiency
- The lodge is connected to the primary electricity grid, but relies significantly on solar power, which “takes most of the energy strain” to supply the majority of its energy needs.
Pioneer in waste management
- The property follows environmentally responsible waste management practices.
Using organic and chemical-free products
- The lodge features an organic kitchen garden that supplies the bulk of the fresh vegetables, salads, herbs, and spices utilized by the head chef.
- Additionally, the estate produces its own organic pepper and cinnamon, and boasts an extensive fruit orchard. The team nurtures the fruit trees using natural, traditional methods, including coconut husks and nitrogen-rich gliricidia leaves.
Actively protects nature and community
- The Tekanda Foundation actively supports the local community by operating the Gamata Athak empowerment centre in partnership with the Foundation of Goodness, which provides education, IT, and vocational training to over 350 students weekly, alongside running the Tekanda Girls Cricket Academy for 125+ girls.
- The lodge recruits staff locally and partners with nearby artisans and farmers.
- For nature conservation, the estate has replanted hundreds of indigenous trees and tea bushes, leaving portions as secondary jungle to protect local biodiversity, including a resident family of endangered Purple-faced Langur monkeys, mongoose, civets, and diverse bird species.
Most Popular Activities Near Tekanda Lodge
- Guided Tekanda Estate tour and walks
- Hands-on experiences with tea, coconut, and cinnamon production (including tea weighing)
- Visiting the organic kitchen garden
- Night swimming with fireflies and full-moon swimming
- Yoga on the scenic outdoor deck
- In-house massage and therapeutic treatments
- Traditional Sri Lankan cooking classes with the head chef
- Morning trips to the local fish market
- Visiting and volunteering at the Gamata Athak village empowerment centre
- Participating in activities at the Tekanda Girls Cricket Academy
- Visiting the Wilhena Tea Factory
- Private sunrise crocodile safari on Koggala Lake
- Relaxing, swimming, and snorkeling at nearby beaches (like Kabalana)
- Surfing and professional surf lessons
- Koggala Lake boat tours and fishing (lake, sea, and deep-sea)
- Golfing at Eagles Catalina (military airbase 9-hole course)
- Guided paddy-field bicycle tours
- Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort
- Coastal train journey from Kathaluwa to Galle
- Visiting Kathaluwa Ancient Temple and other nearby historical temples
- Day trips to Udawalawe National Park for elephant safaris
- Whale watching excursions from Mirissa
- Wildlife viewing in Yala National Park and Gal Oya National Park
- Exploring the capital city of Colombo
Best Time To Visit Tekanda Lodge
- The best time to visit Tekanda Lodge is during the region’s dry season, from November to April. This period offers the most pleasant, sunny weather for beach outings, surfing, and outdoor exploration, while also aligning perfectly with the prime whale-watching season in nearby Mirissa.