Subscribe to Blog

Gallery

Kalukanda House

❤️ These images from our guests 🙏🏽 Leopards and el

❤️ These images from our guests 🙏🏽 Leopards and elephants, turtles and birds to insects, trees and flowers, the biodiversity in Sri Lanka knows no bounds. You don’t need a pro camera to capture these moments, but travelling with caring guides is a must 🙏🏽 The latest podcast episode where Kalukanda House owner Dee Gibson interviews internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan Naturalist is out. (links below and in bio)

In this episode he shares how planetary shifts, a fireball from the sky, continents breaking and animals migrating have all led to the serendipitous and perfect balance of kingdoms - land, sea, plant and animal - within Sri Lanka. Maybe that’s why the energy of the place is so powerful and otherworldly.

This is the story of the “why” and “how” of a huge abundance of biodiversity on this tiny island.

Gehan devSilva Wijeyeratne is the foremost naturalist of Sri Lanka, author of over 20 books and internationally acclaimed. We talk leopards, cloud forests, birds, photography and conservation in Sri Lanka …and everything in between. But on reflection, this is a story that goes far beyond to a planetary scale.

PODCAST: Sri Lanka : Modern Perspectives From An Ancient Melting Pot.
Series 3, Episode 2

APPLE https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sri-lanka-modern-perspectives-from-an-ancient-melting-pot/id1776581897?i=1000735390821

SPOTIFY https://open.spotify.com/episode/55MJVsNIwxZDwn7e3mR97j?si=ubOqLNVySVCQDb816aPnXA

Photos courtesy of Gehan (DSLR) & guests (IPHONE)
#srilankawildlife #safariinsrilanka #biodiversity #naturalworld #birdlover #leopardsafari #protectourplanet #junglesounds

Flood your senses with the things that make sense.

Flood your senses with the things that make sense. Wild beauty, inner calm, people that care ❤️ We offer a simple escape with our wonderful friends @rilayoga_ who hold space in the shala every day and are part of our world. Ask yourself, when was the last time you simply…..stopped and rested? Booking via website, links in bio.

#kalukandahouse #retreatspace #designerhome #boutiquehotel #hiphotels #srilankatravel #yogahaven #womenintravel #luxuryescape #solotraveller #retreatyourself

SURFING ~ an activity that is over 4,000 years old

SURFING ~ an activity that is over 4,000 years old. Did you know the ancient Polynesians held surfing as a cultural tradition that connected them to the Oceans and Nature? Peruvians and Africans used their boards for transportation and fishing and surfing has existed around the world as a part of daily life for local peoples for eons. To this day, many avid surfers become deeply connected to our world’s waters and cultivate a sense of environmental stewardship; seeing the effects of pollution on our biodiversity they want to protect our coastlines.

The profound effect on humans of water and waves often leads to a sort of “spiritual” awakening; surf culture extends beyond fashion and music to beachside ceremonies and reflective practices honouring the ocean.

Surfers also have their own etiquette and language - if the water is busy there is a “right of way” for those closest to the peak of a wave. “Dawn Patrol” is for those who surf at sunrise and moonlit surfing has a very special place for those seeking mental quiet. The waves, the water, the mindfulness needed to focus on surf practice all contribute to improved mental health and wellbeing. It’s no wonder that surfers and surf culture is so relaxed.

So there you go, just a few facts about surfing that help us see a little deeper into why this is such a popular activity. You will see plenty of surfboards on our coastline, stacked on tuks, held underarm or balanced in the sand. We organise lessons with experienced Sri Lankan surf instructors, add this to a yoga class in the shala and your mind and body balance will be pitch perfect ❤️

Booking via website (link in bio) .

SURF | YOGA | SRI LANKA | WELIGAMA
#kalukandahouse #surfsrilanka #mindfulnesstips #mindbodybalance #srilankatrip

Women in Design | Women in Hospitality | Built by

Women in Design | Women in Hospitality | Built by a Woman | Female Founder 😉…….Bada Bing Bada Boom …just sayin’… booking link in bio 👆🏽

#kalukandahouse #srilankadiaries #boutiquehotel #boutiquestyle #designerhome #womenindesign #womeninhospitality #womenintravel #designhotel #retreatspace #yoga #hotelbythesea #luxuryvilla #womeninarchitecture #conscioustravel

Kalukanda House life ebbs and flows like the waves

Kalukanda House life ebbs and flows like the waves of the ocean. Leave empty days to do nothing but follow your curiosity to wander; to discover weavers, polishers of semi-precious stones and wildlife passing by, surfers who wait for a setting sun to ride their waves and an uncluttered horizon when others have left for the day.

You can guarantee this slow rhythm that happens daily. You may be tempted to fill your time with bucket list items to tick off, but as Rumi says, “Patience with small details makes perfect a large work, like the universe.”

We couldn’t agree more, and this is the way we like to roll at Kalukanda House. Stay with us and we can show you how. Booking via website | link in bio.

#kalukandahouse #retreatspace #srilankatrip #hiphotels #condenasttraveller #wandergram #wanderlife

When you have that perfect book you can’t put down

When you have that perfect book you can’t put down, and you stop to read it at every opportunity. Some writers just know how to reel you in. We’ve got a selection of books here for you to dip into, and an array of Sri Lankan authors to discover. As a teaser to upcoming season 3 of our podcast, we recommend you listen to season 2/ ep 10 where author @roma.wells - past Kalukanda House and podcast guest who talks about her epic novel “Seek the Singing Fish” (you won’t be able to put it down). Ashok Ferry was also fantastic guest talking about his series of books observing Sri Lankan life and based on his own experiences. Links in bio 👆🏽

In season 3, we talk to journalist and prolific author Juliet Coombe who has spent 30 years living in Sri Lanka, has two sons of Sri Lankan- English heritage and has written widely. Her oeuvre includes a book on the faces of Galle, the gardens of Sri Lanka and she is now turning her attention to the elephants through book writing and film making.

Reading is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Icons of Hollywood such as Reese Witherspoon find great stories to turn into moving pictures. People around the world are inspired by tales of exotic lands. Book Clubs abound. Near to us, we love @wildandthesage a brilliant bookshop perfect for a peruse (and they serve wonderful cake and coffee).

Happy Sunday, happy reading 📚

Thanks to our friend Holly @futurestorycoach and @sangeeth.photography_ for this snap of Holly grabbing a few pages of her book while waiting for a tuk tuk during her stay. What was she reading - she couldn’t put it down!

#kalukandahouse #bookclubsofinstagram #holidayreading #srilankatravelgram #srilankatrip #boutiquehotel #villasinsrilanka #designhotel #retreatspace #sundaylife

Contact
About Us
Terms & Conditions
Cancellation Policy
Cookie Policy

Quick Links

Experiences
The Villa
Health and Safety
Gallery
Kalukanda Blog
Ethos
Guest Reviews

Affiliations

Follow us

Instagram Pinterest

© 2025 Kalukanda House. All rights reserved.

Home
The Villa
Experiences
Gallery
Retreats
Blog
Testimonials
Sustainability
Contact