Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

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Duration

Multi day

Cancellation

No Cancellation

Group Size

5 people

Languages

English, Francais

Pinnawala is a charming village in Sri Lanka’s Kegalle District, best known for its Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, a sanctuary for rescued Asian elephants halfway between Colombo and Kandy


🐘 Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: Key Highlights

📜 History & Background

  • Established in 1975 by the Department of Wildlife Conservation on a 25-acre coconut plantation beside the Maha Oya River

  • Originally housed orphaned calves, and since 1982 has run a successful captive breeding program—over 70 elephants currently, including calves from rescued orphans and captive births.

🐾 Daily Routine & Visitor Experience

  • Elephants wander freely by day; at set times they walk to the river for their daily baths—10 AM & 2 PM—creating a spectacular sight

  • Feedings happen 3 times daily at around 9:15 AM, 1:15 PM, and 5:00 PM—calves are bottle-fed (some only for tourism), while adults receive large quantities of vegetation plus rice bran and maize in stalls

👨‍⚕️ Conservation & Welfare

  • The orphanage doubles as a rescue center, nursing injured or abandoned elephants—some disabled individuals, like a blind tusker and a landmine survivor missing a leg, live there permanently

  • While impressive, certain welfare concerns have been raised: elephants, particularly males in musth, are sometimes chained; traditional training tools like the ‘ankus’ are used; the site is run partly as a tourist attraction, not purely a sanctuary

📍 Visiting Information

  • Open daily from ~8:30 AM to 5:30 PM

  • Location: ~13 km from Kegalle, easily reached by road or train (Rambukkana station ~2 km away)

  • Entry fee (foreign adult): about US $15–16/$2500 LKR; children half-price .

🌐 Pinnawala Village & Zoo

  • The nearby Pinnawala Open Zoo (est. 2015) offers enclosures for native species—leopards, bears, birds, etc.—adding to the wildlife visit appeal .

  • A quaint “old village” area showcases traditional Sri Lankan rural life, crafts, and architecture .


Should You Visit?


Tips for a Great Visit

  • Attend bathing at 10 AM or 2 PM for best viewing, and feeding at 9:15 AM to see calves on milk.

  • Bring sun protection, water, and wear comfortable clothes/water-resistant footwear.

  • Keep a respectful distance and avoid riding or handling—photo opportunities abound without interfering with the animals.


5 – 7 hours
Fullday (+7hours)
Multi day

English
Francais

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Activity's Location

When and where does the tour end?

Your tour will conclude in San Francisco on Day 8 of the trip. There are no activities planned for this day so you're free to depart at any time. We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to give yourself time to fully experience the wonders of this iconic city!

When and where does the tour start?

Day 1 of this tour is an arrivals day, which gives you a chance to settle into your hotel and explore Los Angeles. The only planned activity for this day is an evening welcome meeting at 7pm, where you can get to know your guides and fellow travellers. Please be aware that the meeting point is subject to change until your final documents are released.

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