Makini Impact, Where Travel Meets Purpose

Introduction At Makini, we pride ourselves on offering our guests an immersion in the shrub-forest ecosystem of southern Sri Lanka, but the truest, deepest immersion belongs to our team of staff. During her internship, Viola Görtz, a dedicated volunteer from Germany, had a unique opportunity to live and work behind the scenes, far from the relaxing luxury of our guest chalets. For weeks, Viola traded a traditional visitor experience for the genuine rhythm of life on the property: sharing meals, perspectives, and daily routines with our remarkable Makini staff. The following article is her authentic reflection - an intimate look into local staff culture and the unique ecological experience she gained, giving her a privileged perspective that few visitors get to witness. It’s an honest, personal account of life at the core of our camp, and a testament to the community that truly makes Makini run. Winding Pathways through Leafy Growths at Makini An Authentic Account When I decid...

At Makini Bush Camp, our commitment to sustainability extends beyond conservation – it reaches the heart of the community. We are thrilled to have formalised a unique educational partnership with Detagamuwa Junior School in Kataragama, aiming to empower the next generation. The Spark of a Shared Vision The idea for a dedicated school project began with a fundamental belief: that a venture thrives when it gives back to the community in which it operates. With the resources available to Makini – from global connections to our local team expertise – we envisioned coming together to share resources to empower children and to support their education. This was quickly solidified during an initial discussion with the school's leadership, Principal Ms. Shyamali Abeysooriya. She articulated a powerful vision for her students: to see them come out of their shells and become confident English speakers. She explained how a pervasive fear of speaking English often holds back individuals in the ...

At Makini Bush Camp, our commitment to sustainability begins at home—by understanding the very land we inhabit. This dedication recently drove a crucial scientific endeavour: a detailed, 15-day habitat mapping project across our entire property. Conceptualised by our founder, Chamith, the initiative brought together a team that included our expert rangers and naturalists, Kaushalya and Arun, and two dedicated AIESEC volunteers, Viola and Alexandre. The initiative was more than an academic exercise; it brought us closer to becoming one with our environment and adopting a truly conscious conservation strategy.   The Process The project was meticulously planned. Using GIS software, the team first created a baseline map and divided the land extent into a systematic grid of 50×50 meter plots. This created a precise research unit where the team systematically recorded soil conditions, vegetation structure, density and species presence during the field survey phase. The work was challengi...

At Makini Bush Camp, we've always believed that true luxury in the wild goes far beyond comfort. It's about connection: to the land, its people, and the stories that shape both. Out of this belief came Makini Impact , our initiative to make every guest experience part of something greater: a journey that leaves behind a lasting, positive footprint. Makini Impact is built around a simple but powerful idea: that responsible tourism can empower communities, protect nature, and inspire meaningful change. Located on the edge of Yala's wilderness, we've seen firsthand how closely human lives and ecosystems intertwine. Every decision we make, from how we build and source to how we engage with our neighbors, is guided by a deep respect for that connection. Our Vision Makini Impact aims to bridge the gap between the world of travel and the needs of the local environment and community. We see tourism not as an isolated business, but as a living ecosystem, one that thrives only w...