We are lucky enough to be set in the heart of a working estate but we have also left much of the land to secondary jungle to encourage the birds and wildlife. Guests are welcome to enjoy a guided tour of the estate seeing at first hand the tea, coconut and cinnamon production process in addition to the range of indigenous trees, plants and flowers that make up the flora and fauna of Tekanda Lodge. We have also created tropical kitchen garden growing a range of citrus fruit, vegetables, herb and spices uses traditional organic techniques.

Our pool sits on the top of our hill surrounded by the flora and fauna of the jungle. If we switch off the all the lights, as if by magic, Tekanda comes alive with fireflies. There is nothing quite as special as swimming at night illuminated only by the fireflies and the stars listening to the jungle sounds.  

Poya is the monthly Buddhist full moon. If we have clear skies the jungle, paddy fields and surrounding hills are bathed in moonlight casting magical shadows across the landscape. At Tekanda we often celebrate this auspicious occasion with a moonlit swim.

The Wilhena Tea Factory is located just 10km north of Tekanda and is the destination our very own Tekanda tea is sent after picking. Due to our commercial relationship with the factory our guests are afforded a unique tour of the factory scheduled to co-incide with the morning tea processing. The experience of walking through the rolling, drying and sifting machines with the accompanying noise and aromas is unlike any other tea tour in Sri Lanka.

Our Village Empowerment centre is a very unique and special place where we would be delighted to take Tekanda Lodge guests to have a look around and potentially even help out with one of our classes! Named by the local community Gamata Athak means ‘a hand to the village’ and with over 350 children and adults attending weekly courses and clubs it can offer Tekanda Lodge guests a unique insight into the charm of Sri Lanka’s rural communities.

For intrepid guests who love their wildlife we organise a private sunrise trip in search of the elusive Koggala Lake crocodiles. Only 10 minutes from the Lodge, we prepare a delicious safari breakfast served on our safari boat as the sun rises over the lake and surrounding jungle while guests and guides keep their eyes peeled for this ancient predator.

Our Foundation also operates a girls cricket academy in which over 100 girls from several schools in the area train on a weekly basis. Guests with a passion for cricket are welcome to visit the academy and can often be pressed into making up the numbers on match days!