Experience the essence of island life the Uga way with intimate, experiential luxury.
Sri Lanka offers an extraordinary variety within its relatively small frame, from ancient cities and national parks to tea-covered hills and a long, varied coastline. Uga Resorts brings these landscapes together through a collection of small, carefully considered hotels that are shaped as much by the people who run them as by the place they are situated.
Each Uga property has its own identity. Guests are welcomed into environments that reflect their surroundings, with teams who bring local knowledge, warm hospitality and personality to every stay. Many guests return to Uga properties not only for the setting, but for the relationships formed with the individuals who run the hotels day to day.
For Lightfoot clients, Uga offers a strong foundation for exploring Sri Lanka in depth. These are hotels that integrate naturally into our well-paced tailormade itineraries, allowing time to engage with culture, wildlife and landscape, while returning each evening to a place that is exceptionally comfortable and thoughtfully run.
- 01. The Uga Philosophy
- 02. Uga Chena Huts - Wild Luxury on the edge of Yala National Park
- 03. Uga Ulagalla – Heritage and the Cultural Triangle
- 04. Uga Halloowella - A Private Hill Country Retreat
- 05. Uga Prāva - Contemporary Design on the South Coast
- 06. Looking Ahead: Uga Ghiri in Ella, Opening in 2026
- 07. Lightfoot Exclusive Benefits with Uga
- 08. A Natural Partnership
Uga’s portfolio spans Sri Lanka’s most compelling regions, from wildlife-rich national parks to working tea estates and the island’s south coast. Properties are intentionally small, allowing for personal service and each offers experiences shaped around sustainability, nature, heritage and local life.
Sustainability and conservation are central to the brand, with long-term commitments to land restoration, wildlife protection and community engagement embedded into each project.
The Uga Philosophy
Uga Chena Huts - Wild Luxury on the edge of Yala National Park
Set between the Indian Ocean and Yala National Park, Uga Chena Huts offers one of Sri Lanka’s most compelling wildlife stays. Eighteen individual thatched huts with private plunge pools sit within dense scrubland, designed to echo the region’s traditional chena farming shelters while delivering exceptional privacy.
Days are packed with adventures of the thrilling kind and include bush walks along the wild coastline and expertly guided wildlife safaris in Yala. Jump aboard Uga’s customised jeeps at dawn for a chance to spot leopards, elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, buffalo and crocodiles.
Near the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Uga Ulagalla welcomes guests to the spiritual heart of Sri Lanka. The property is built around a historic mansion within a working estate of rice paddies, reservoirs and surrounding forest. The 25 villas are generously spaced to offer seclusion, and each has its own plunge pool.
This is an ideal base for exploring the Cultural Triangle, with easy access to sacred sites, ancient capitals and rural villages. Between excursions, guests can cycle through the estate, enjoy private dining or unwind with Balinese treatments, all delivered by an exceptional team of knowledgeable guides and staff.
Sustainability initiatives play a key role at Uga Ulagalla. The Elephant Research Centre was set up in 2020 by head naturalist, Katharina Raaben, where one of the main goals is to reduce human-elephant conflicts. Guests can visit the centre to learn more about the incredible work carried out by Katharina and the team.
Uga Ulagalla – Heritage and the Cultural Triangle
Uga Halloowella - A Private Hill Country Retreat
Named in Conde Nast Traveller’s 2025 Hot List, Uga Halloowella is an intimate bungalow set within a working tea estate in Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands. With just a handful of rooms, the atmosphere is like that of a private home, where days are shaped by the local surroundings and rhythm of the estate.
Mornings might include guided walks through the tea fields, or a more challenging hike along the nearby Pekoe Trail or ascending Adam’s Peak. Afternoons lend themselves to long lunches with hill-country views or a treatment in the semi-open spa. Guests staying at Halloowella can indulge in an all-inclusive offer which includes a special tea factory experience with tea tasting.
Overlooking the Indian Ocean near Tangalle, Uga Prāva is a contemporary coastal retreat defined by clean lines, open spaces and uninterrupted sea views. Suites are designed to maximise light and airflow, with a sense of understated luxury throughout.
The focus here is on rest and relaxation, whether that means time by the infinity pool, coastal walks, yoga at sunrise or simply watching the ocean change colour throughout the day. It works particularly well as a relaxing finale to a more active holiday throughout Sri Lanka.
Uga Prāva - Contemporary Design on the South Coast
Looking Ahead: Uga Ghiri in Ella, Opening in 2026
Opening in the hill country in the centre of Ella in June 2026, Uga Ghiri will introduce a new chapter for the Uga brand and one of very few luxury options in this region of Sri Lanka. Located on the historic grounds of the Sutherland Estate, Uga Ghiri will be set across ten acres of terraced landscape. Fifteen standalone villas will be positioned to take in views of either the iconic Nine Arch Bridge or the surrounding tea-covered hills, each designed with subtle Sri Lankan detailing and featuring a private jacuzzi. At the centre of the estate, a carefully restored colonial manor will serve as the main house, creating an elegant setting for dining and relaxed evenings, complemented by an infinity pool and a series of thoughtfully designed communal spaces.
Ella’s location in Sri Lanka’s central highlands will place guests within easy reach of walking trails, waterfalls, sacred peaks and working tea estates, while Uga Ghiri itself will offer an elevated base from which to explore or simply pause and take in the landscape. Experiences will range from tea-led journeys and guided market visits to conservation-focused walks and cycling through the surrounding hills, balanced by spa treatments and time spent on the estate. Lightfoot clients will have the opportunity to be among the first to experience this new addition, incorporated seamlessly into a wider journey through Sri Lanka’s most varied and scenic regions.
When booking Uga properties through Lightfoot, clients enjoy a collection of exclusive privileges designed to enrich your tailormade journey through Sri Lanka. These perks include spa credits, immersive experiences such as cookery classes or jungle kayaking, and private dining set-ups by the pool or on the beach.
Guests booking two Uga properties also receive a special discount, alongside Lightfoot’s signature planning, first-hand destination knowledge and 24-hour support throughout the trip.
Lightfoot Exclusive Benefits with Uga
A Natural Partnership
Uga and Lightfoot share a belief that the most memorable journeys are those shaped by the experience. Together, they offer a way to experience Sri Lanka that feels authentic, balancing exploration and adventure with comfort and warm hospitality.
Whether travelling as a couple, on your own or with family, a journey through Sri Lanka with Uga and Lightfoot reveals the island in its many dimensions.
To book a tailormade holiday to Sri Lanka staying at a selection of Uga properties throughout the island, get in touch with our team of experts. We'll get back to you within 24 hours to start planning your perfect holiday.
Photography credits: Uga Resorts
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