Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Best Experience
This orphanage in Sri Lanka is Famous as a wildlife conservatory and the home of the orphans. With no parent to care for them, the orphaned babies are treated to a good life in the Pinnawala. The orphans would line up and get ready to go Bathing. With an unforgettable deep-seated passion for animal community, this merging with nature beautifully forms a sanctuary destination for any wildlife enthusiast.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in tropical Sri Lanka is endowed with warm temperatures all year round with an average daytime temperature of around 27°C (80°F); greens stay cool in most seeded bamboo clumps, thus keeping the place pleasant most times throughout the year, attracting tourists at random. Generally, the highest visiting season is from around December through April, where days are bright with clear blue skies, favourable for viewing the bath of elephants in the river; also from which orphans are moved between the orphanage and Maha Oya River. May-September sees sporadic rains from the monsoon, with probably cooler weather and leafy foliage, but the rain is not apt to affect a tour of the orphanage.
The following is calling for a brief review of the Pinnawala Orphanage:
Where the pinnawala Orphanage is located
This orphanage is in Kegalle. Their location their backing of being out of town adds to its charm. Falling in with its natural environment, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage represents one of the must-visits for those of us who wish to wade out of our raucous city life into resting quiet in the embrace of natural serenity. Watching the elephants when having some serene time is a very extraordinary happenstance for a tourist.
About the Orphanage
This has its inception back in 1975. Shelter was supposed to be provided by these orphanages for orphaned elephants. At the start, there were very few number of elephants in the orphanage. And then it expanded gradually. It now looks after about eighty orphaned elephants. Some of these have been either hurt, left, or orphaned in the wild. The mission of this orphanage is to rehabilitate such elephants, to ensure their welfare, and to keep them safe. They are educating the public to conserve elephants, and this is another objective of these orphanages.
The Daily Schedule
The preferences of the elephants in the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage play a great role at the orphanage during the day. The river bathing is mainly what the best experience lies in because this is the best time for photography and observation.
Daily Feeding & Bathing Times
- Milk Feeding: 9:15 AM and 1:15 PM
- Elephant Bathing at Maha Oya River: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Return Walk to the Orphanage: Around 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Travel Tip:
Walking through, a minimum of 15-20 minutes prior to the start of the bathing session is advised. Most visitors prefer viewing the elephants from riverside cafes and restaurants because of their panoramic views of the river as the herd follows in line.
Ethical & Responsible Tourism
The travelers of today attach great importance to responsible wildlife tourism, so a visit to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage should always be done in consideration of the interests of animal welfare.
Respect the Elephants
The elephants although are fun to observe at close range, are still subject to consideration of possession of their mighty nature whereby visitors must respect their instruction given by the mahout (handler) and not disturb the animal.
Help Keep the Area Clean
Please collect all your litter and do not throw plastic, food wrappers, or polythene into the river or the area around the sanctuary. These things can harm wildlife if ingested.
The Unique Elephant Dung Paper Factory
It would interest you to know that near the orphanage stands an eco-friendly paper factory that is producing papers of elephant dung.
Eco-Friendly Souvenirs
Here, visitors will witness that they are actually turning the useless into the useful. They observe day by day as massive elephant waste is recycled into a high-quality handmade paper item whose products are entirely odorless and environmentally friendly at the same time.
Popular souvenirs include:
- Handmade notebooks
- Greeting cards
- Bookmarks
- Decorative paper products
Through the purchase of these items, one promotes local business sometimes and also conservation.
Photography Tips for the Best Experience
Capture the Famous Elephant Walk
Walk under a normal street-style presentation is yet another period. Anywhere on the sidewalk, viewers get a different perspective of the parade to photograph.
Use Wide-Angle Shots at the River
River bathing provides an opportunity for beautiful landscape pictures, especially while all the elephants are in the river.
Visit During the Afternoon Golden Hour
Another popular session around 2 pm is bathed in softer light and is more comfortable to photograph in comparison with the other time slots.
Practical Travel Essentials
Tickets & Identification
Ticket prices vary for:
Sri Lankan Locals: LKR 300 Adult (12+ years) LKR 150 Child (3–12 years)
SAARC Nationals: USD 11 Adult (12+ years) USD 6 Child (3–12 years)
International Tourists: USD 16 – 18 Adult (12+ years) USD 8 – 9 Child (3–12 years)
Guests must carry a passport or a digital copy of it, always being sure that a definitive form of identification is available.
What to Wear
The tropical climate is great for wearing light and breathing clothes. Wear a decent pair of walking shoes or thick sandals, especially when it comes to walking at the riverside and uneven pathways.
Weather Preparation
The hill country in some of the transition periods will have quickly improved climate conditions; bring with the items given to you.
- Sunscreen
- A hat or cap
- Drinking water
- A small umbrella or rain jacket during monsoon months
Important Visitor Notes
- The elephant orphanage is recognized as one of the most renowned projects for elephant rehabilitation.
- Watching the herd move to the river is a highlight, showing how they socialize in the water.
- The part that most memorable part after experiencing is the walk with these elephants till the river crossing when they get to see the elephants as a herd moving together through the streets of the village.
Time Taken to Explore the Orphanage
The interesting activity to do while you are at the elephant orphanage is feeding the baby elephants. Some of them could snatch all the delicious fruits and hit you with the same fruit in the process.
Visitors love to watch feeding time. Throw out bottles and eateries inside, except for fruits and vegetables which the little fellow loves. Each little elephant may just come running toward you and snatches all the delicious fruits, yet every now and then they get a chance to take a grip on one of those fruits and hit you with it. It is also a unique opportunity to, at least gently, touch an elephant unbelievably.
- Elephant Nursery-Where the baby elephants are being raised and taken care of. You can also watch how an elephant is fed.
Accommodation for Stay
There is no shortage of accommodations for the visitors from nearby areas in and around the Orphanage. The list includes budget guesthouses as well as luxurious resorts. Importantly, most of these accommodations are in the proximity of the Orphanage. Apart from these, boutique hotels and eco-friendly accommodation options may also be availed of by the visitors. A unique thing is that accommodations providing a view of elephant bathing are located right next to the Orphanage.
Resturants Near Pinnawala.
Surprisingly, in the area will be restaurants that will cater to some delicious local Sri Lankan dishes. Most of the restaurants in the area are very close to the river and offer mesmerizing views of the elephants bathing and thus a truly spectacular treat to the eyes for lovers of nature. If you are into simply having rice and curry, kottu roti, or some seafood, there are a couple of nice, clean joints Pinnawala, with authentic local dishes offered with perhaps the best potential of a fragrant bowl of health sitting all in front of you. Their assorted menu item range provides for a good food experience so much that the mere thought alone would mean that your tummy would feel full. Pinnawala plans to offer some buffet meals if those may be what you are looking for as well.
The duration of an expedition to Pinnawala.
Before you decide that the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage fits into your itinerary, you should know how distant and how much travel time it would require to get there. It obviously depends upon the point from which you are starting your journey, the vehicle you are using to travel, the traffic conditions, if they are going to be severe all the way, and so forth. A list with the timings needed at different key points to reach the different orphanages is given below.
From Colombo Airport: Distance (approx) - 59 kilometres journey time: 2 hour by car.
From Negombo to Pinawala: Distance: about 75.2 km - Duration - around 2.5 hrs
From Kandy to Pinnawala: Distance: about 40 km - Travel Time: approximately 1.5 hours
From Kegalle to Pinnawala: Distance: about 13 km - Travel Time: approximately 20 minutes
From Sigiriya to Pinnawala: Distance: around 100 km - Travel Time: about 2 hours and 16 min
Main Attractions in Pinnawala
See a collection of a few popular attractions in Pinnawala:
Pinnawala Zoo: A peaceful and safe home for a variety of animal species.
Other Nearby Attractions
The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy: This was a royal palace in the last Kingdom of Sri Lanka and holds the most sacred and world-famous temple where Buddha's relics are venerated.
Peradeniya Botanic Gardens: A paradise made during the Kandy Era is always packed!
So, while the place is well known for its elephants, this is not the sole reason to visit the place. Here at this place, you can add many things to your existence by learning how to love them with affection and not harm them. To someone who loves animals, nature, or a unique experience just for those seeking a unique experience; the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka is the place. They talk to you about illusions and imprints of the great elephants living in Sri Lanka and how happy their daily life is. So, make sure that then you put the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage on top of your bucket list for being part of this day-long immense experience!
Pinnawala FAQ: Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit
How can I get to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage by train?
To travel through the train would be scenic and convenient for you to board a train from Colombo Fort or Kandy and get off at Rambukkana Railway Station as the one near the Pinnawala (2 kilometers away). You can also choose to get off at the Polgahawela Station. From either station, get yourself a local tuk-tuk, and in merely 5-10 minutes, you will be at the orphanage entrance.
Can you ride on an elephant at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage?
No, elephant riding is strictly prohibited inside the legitimate Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. The sanctuary is for rehabilitation, conservation, and nurturing of the elephants. While some private establishments outside the village may offer elephant rides on top of this, advocates of responsible ecotourism must strongly resist joining such activities because of immense welfare issues concerning the creatures.
Should I visit Pinnawala or go on a wild safari (like Udawalawe or Minneriya)?
You have to study the type of experience someone seeks. Pinnawala is a captive elephant sanctuary, but is good for close interaction with them. You may watch the elephants having their bath in the river while they carry out feeding. If, on the other hand, your enthusiasm lies in viewing wild animals in their natural habitat from close quarters, a jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park or Minneriya National Park would be more rewarding.
Are the elephants at Pinnawala ever released back into the wild?
Unfortunately, no. Animals that mate in zoos and animal sanctuaries have a tendency to have a much higher adaptation to humans. Therefore, the animals here are habituated to their keepers and visitors. Elephants born here are born in captivity and never see the wild face of the world. These elephants are supplied with their essential requirements through humans. This scenario offers only harsh conditions for their definite competence to survive in the wild.
Do we need to order tickets for Pinnawala beforehand?
Certainly not. Advance booking isn't of any significance in this case. One just buys entrance tickets at the main ticket office there. However, it would be much better if one could come early in the day, say around 8:30 in the morning, when not so many tourists are around due to tourists coming in late. This way one could see the calves having their milk, and then there is the much-appreciated river walk at 10 AM.