Accommodations
Our atmosphere is rustic, nested in nature. We offer comfortable quality rooms and a tasty variety of meals
Housing (What we are & not)
We are not a commercial luxury hotel with swimming pool, bar, spa and shops. These services are available in hotels within a few minutes walk from our location.
The “Primate Center Lodge” (monkey camp) is a splendid quiet retreat (Smithsonian Primate Research Station) that offers visitors excellent nature programs and comfortable rooms, dining and recreational space. Lodging for visitors is available in ten rooms among three houses: the Loris Cabanas, Hanuman House, and Main Lodge. Bedrooms are simple and comfortable; all have attached baths, air conditioning, fans and hot water showers. There are 2 to 4 beds per room. Spacious family rooms have queen-sized beds and the room can sleep 4 persons. All rooms are screened against insects (and tame but inquisitive monkeys). For relaxation there are two enclosed common living areas, verandas, a popular shady terrace by the lake-shore and the lake. Several dining tables are shared among visitors and research personnel.
Depictions of different rooms, with visitor reviews, are given on the links to AirBnB offerings listed below under Bookings.
WiFi
Free WiFi is provided in all areas of our center.
Primate Center Lodge
Hanuman House with Family Bedroom & WiFi hotspot
Loris Cabana
Food and menu
Meals are prepared by our cooks in a newly (2018) renovated and modernized kitchen. We serve a variety of western and Sri Lankan foods; visitors have described our cuisine as a “Vegetarians’ Paradise.”
Location
The Primate Center Lodge (Smithsonian Primate Research Station) is located within a private patch of jungle about 3 km south of the town of Polonnaruwa. It is nestled on the shores of Lake Parakrama Samudra. Wild monkeys and other animals are omnipresent to entertain the visitor. Over 150 species of birds can be seen here. Most of our research is done within the Polonnaruwa Nature Sanctuary and Archaeological Reserve, situated just north of the town of Polonnaruwa. See Getting There and learn more about the surrounding area.
Transport
We have parking for private vehicles. Public buses and auto rickshaws are available for trips to the town, the Archaeological Reserve and Nature Sanctuary (our study area), which are all about three km (10 minute trip) from our monkey camp center. We hire out bicycles.
Other Information
- Electricity : Electricity is (220 volts, 50 Hz). The plug points are three pins square or round of the type used in the UK. Visitors are advised to bring their own plug-point adapters or converters.
- Hotels, bars: Three local hotels with swimming pools, massage facilities, and bars are within 5-10 minutes walking distance of the monkey camp (Primate Center Lodge).
- Shopping : small shops for daily needs are within walking distance of our camp
- Medical facilities: The large and well equipped Polonnaruwa General Hospital as well as a private Venus Lanka Hospital are about 3 km distant and a 10 minute ride by vehicle.
- Laundry : We provide laundry service at our center.
Bookings
Direct bookings for accommodations can be made by contacting us; our staff will cite the rates. All payments can be made on site in cash or via PayPal.
Alternatively, visitors can book with AirBnB, and select their choice of different size rooms as follows.
- Spacious family rooms in Hanuman House & Lodge
- Triple/Double rooms in Loris Cabana
- Double/Single rooms in Lodge