‘The Other Corner’ – Nature At It’s Best!

A mere three-and-a-half to four hour drive from the city of Colombo towards the North Central of this beautiful isle, will deliver you to an oasis in the jungle; a place where nature takes centre stage and you receive front row tickets to its bounty every single day. Welcome to ‘The Other Corner’.

‘The Other Corner’ is famed for its proximity to some of the best historic and cultural sites in the country. This picturesque lodge is located within easy reach of famous must-see destinations like Dambulla, the world heritage site – Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Minneriya and Kawdulla National Parks, Hurulla eco-park, the beach towns of Trincomalee, Pasikudah and Kalkudah and the cultural cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.

Recently re-opened Wilpattu National Park is just 99km away; a one hour and 20 minute drive from ‘The Other Corner’.

For nature lovers, the city of Habarana is a dream come true as it serves as a starting point for all varieties of adventure holidaying. From jungle treks and hiking to bird watching and jeep safaris this is the place to indulge in your wild side.

‘The Other Corner’ is the perfect place to return to after a day of adventure in the sun. Kick off your hiking boots and cool off in the nearby stream or just sit back and relax with a hot cup of tea.

Situated within the cultural triangle only 172km from Colombo and a five minute drive from the town of Habarana, ‘The Other Corner’ holds within it, a world of rare beauty and tranquility.

The main lodge of ‘The Other Corner’ consists of two family rooms with all facilities where four to eight people can be comfortably accommodated. The architect-designed main lodge is built on solid stilts and is covered in clay and logs, which gives it a beautiful earthen feel.
And if that weren’t enough of a draw, detached from the main lodge is a one bedroom unit with attached bath and verandah, aptly named the ‘Writers Rest’ – an ideal secluded hideaway for those needing inspiration to pen a novel or one’s memoirs, or even conduct research on ecology on a long term basis.

Two more chalets designed by architect Athula Goonawardena to suit its surroundings have begun construction. These two will have access to an upper deck where bird lovers/photographers will have a super view of the area and will be able to catch their target species on their lenses at eye level. These will hopefully be complete by mid July.

Probably the most unique feature of ‘The Other Corner’ is the beautiful ‘High Hide’. Designed in the fashion of a tree house, this structure is an ideal observation post where one can spend a solitary night in wait for the wildlife that abounds in the area, or curl up with a good book and a comfy pillow and enjoy the most peaceful morning of your life, surrounded by nature in all its glory.

Experienced Sri Lankan cooks provide a variety of mouth-watering and exotic dishes which range from traditional cuisine to popular Eastern and Western dishes. Special requests by house guests are also facilitated whenever the need arises.

Whether it be a spicy Sri Lankan fish curry with rotti or a Spanish omelet with toast, ‘The Other Corner’ fills not only your heart and soul with its scenery, but also your tummy with its exquisite cuisine.

In keeping with the concept of eco-tourism, all the staff are locally hired and trained to help improve their quality of life. Most supplies are sourced locally maintaining fresh quality standards.

To endorse further on the eco concept, ‘The Other Corner’ does not restrict the locals from entering its borders. There are no boundaries set on the property and game trails and natural tracks which have been used for decades and they have not been tampered with in any way, garnering ‘The Other Corner’ utmost gratitude and respect from the people in the area.

Guests will have many things to do during their leisure time. Over 122 species of bird have been recorded in and around ‘The Other Corner,’ with over ten that have been classified endemic.

Pick up a book or two on Sri Lankan birds or flora and fauna and you could spend hours documenting your findings. ‘The Other Corner’ is also the perfect place in which to pursue hobbies such as photography and painting, as its location lends itself to your imagination in magical colours and forms. Adventure abounds at ‘The Other Corner’ so if you’re in the mood to get out in the sun and stretch your legs, then the capable staff at the lodge will take care of all your adrenaline demands. Outings such as, birding, butterfly watching, hiking, trekking, trail biking, boat rides, jeep safaris and elephant-back safaris are all on offer when you enter this jungle paradise.

The area in which ‘The Other Corner’ is situated is also famous for its amazing Asian elephant population. The Sri Lankan elephant is a gentle creature of magnificent beauty and visitors at ‘The Other Corner’ are assured of viewing these gentle giants within a short drive from the lodge. The Other Corner’ is managed by Starron Nature Resorts (Pvt) Ltd., a specialist in eco-tourism. For any further information, clarifications and reservations visit their website at

www.tocsrilanka.com