Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was set up by the Sri Lankan government in the 1970s to care for baby elephants found orphaned or abandoned in the wild. Today it is home to a large herd, including several generations born at the orphanage itself.

The highlight is bath time, when the herd is walked down the lane to the Maha Oya river to splash, wallow and cool off, watched from the riverside terraces and restaurants. You can also watch the elephants being fed at the main grounds.

Pinnawala lies just off the road between Colombo and Kandy, so it fits easily into that journey, and we time your stop to coincide with a river bath. Keep a respectful distance and follow the keepers’ instructions. To see elephants in the wild, add a safari at Minneriya or Yala.