Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

See baby jumbos wondering around their cramped foster home or bottle fed and bathed by their human foster fathers at Pinnawela, about 200Km from The Fortress towards Kandy is the home to some 60 or more elephant orphans. A place you will really enjoy and never forget.

When you walk into the grounds you are greeted by the magical sight of elephants roaming free over grassland fringed with palm and coconut trees. The serene and gentle creatures are happy to be approached and you can actually walk among them without fear of getting squashed, their inquiring trunks reaching out to investigate you in reciprocal curiosity. Handlers are present, but they interfere very little and they seem to be on good terms with the animals, each known by their name.

It was established 1975 by the Sri Lanka Wildlife department. This 24 acres large elephant orphanage is also a breeding place for elephants, and it has the greatest herd of elephants in captivity in the world.

The orphanage was primarily designed to afford care and protection to the many baby elephants found in the jungle without their mothers. The baby elephants once cared for are released to the wilds when they reach a certain age.

The best time to visit is during the feeding times, when you will have the opportunity of seeing the baby elephants being bottle-fed. Also could accompany the elephants to a river close-by and see the elephants having their daily bath. Bathing time is sharp at 10.00am and 2.00pm. Feeding time is about an hour earlier.